Sunrise Grants

Geographic Scope: Central Valley, California

Focus Areas:

• Building and activating inclusive leadership
• Future of Central Valley
• Local journalism
• Civic participation and engagement
• Youth leadership development
• Media and journalism training
• Community voices and public trust in media
• Cultural preservation and historical narratives
• Educational equity (English Learner support)
• First Amendment protection

What They Fund:

• Arts and cultural organizations
• Journalism and media organizations
• Youth leadership programs
• Civic participation initiatives
• Community cultural institutions
• Educational initiatives
• Media literacy and public trust programs
• Youth media organizations

Key Information:

• Part of JBMF's "sunrising" strategy (foundation sunsetting by 2030)
• Major commitment to move resources before foundation closure
• Funds distributed to over 40+ organizations
• Focus on developing next-generation leaders and preserving media infrastructure
• Supports grassroots, community-based organizations
• Multi-year funding commitments

Contact:

• James B. McClatchy Foundation
• 740 University Ave., Ste. 150, Sacramento CA 95825

Background: As a sunsetting foundation (closing by 2030), JBMF developed Sunrise Grants to accelerate impact in the Central Valley before its closure. Over $10 million awarded in first round to build sustainable leadership and journalism infrastructure.

Application Process

Note: Grant proposals are by invitation only. The foundation only accepts letters of inquiry or proposals by mail or email if requested by Foundation staff.

Application Requirements:

Submission Information:

Past Grant Recipients (Reference):
Arte Américas, African American Historical and Cultural Museum of San Joaquin Valley, Asian American Liberation Network, Black Youth Leadership Project, BreakBox Thought Collective, California Center for Civic Participation, California Scholastic Journalism Initiative, Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño, Central Valley Community Foundation, Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, Central Valley Latino Leadership Academy, City Ministry Network Latino Leadership Initiative, DRiP DROP News, EdSource, Emerging Bilingual Collaborative, Faith in the Valley, First Amendment Coalition, Fresnoland Media, Fresno State Center for Community Voices, Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust, Hmong Innovating Politics, Ivanhoe Sol, Kern Sol News, Parent Institute for Quality Education, Reinvent Stockton Foundation, Sacramento Area Congregations Together, San Joaquin Valley Water Social Justice Politicorps, Stanislaus Community Foundation, Local Media Fund, YDN Nueva Epoca Program, Youth Development Network