A new report on the East Bay economy  reaffirms our strategy focusing on philanthropic  investments to grow economically healthy communities by helping  people most in need to acquire job skills and secure jobs with sustainable wages, as well as investments to create and grow new businesses.

The report, “Building On Our Assets: Economic Development and Job Creation in the East Bay ,” indicates that small and mid-sized businesses, as well as companies started locally, are substantial sources of local employment. It also indicates that low rates of educational  attainment among some groups in the East Bay population and declining high school graduation rates limit employment opportunities in  Alameda and Contra Costa counties.  

Especially important are two of the report’s 18 major recommendations:

• Focus on ensuring that companies – especially small and medium-sized ones – start, survive, and thrive here.

• Make education and ongoing workforce development the region’s top priority.

These recommendations verify the East Bay Community Foundation’s strategy to focus on helping people acquire job skills, assisting them to get jobs with sustainable wages, assisting entrepreneurs establish and grow businesses, and ensuring very young children acquire the reading and math skills so they are successful in the education system.  

You can co-invest with us in advancing economic opportunity and the education that leads to it.  Learn More and Donate Now.  

The report  was developed by the East Bay Economic Development Alliance and commissioned by the Foundation, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County, the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board and the Oakland Workforce Investment Board.

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