# The California Endowment

The California Endowment is an Endowment / Foundation based in Los Angeles, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Los Angeles, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 1000 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
- **Founded:** 1996
- **Assets under management:** $4.1B
- **Website:** calendow.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-california-endowment

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

The California Endowment was established in 1996 from the conversion of Blue Cross of California into a for-profit entity. Robert K. Ross served as president and CEO from 2000 until 2024, when Brenda Solórzano assumed the role. The foundation's mandate centers on health equity and racial justice within California. The endowment allocates across private equity, venture capital, and direct holdings with a mission-related lens. Confirmed positions include limited partnership interests in DBL Investors II, Illumen Capital, Harlem Capital Partners, and California FreshWorks Fund. Geographic focus remains inside California with additional exposure through U.S. venture vehicles. Capital deploys via program-related investments, co-investments, and fund commitments that advance health access and community development. The foundation maintains five regional offices in California and holds its headquarters in Los Angeles. Kelli Washington was appointed chief investment officer in 2024. The endowment issued a $300 million social bond in 2021 to support health equity initiatives. May 2024: Participated as speaker at the MIE 2024 National Conference on impact investing and mission-aligned portfolios. The foundation's architecture links endowment management to a statutory health-improvement mandate created at formation. This ties investment policy to grantmaking and operating programs rather than separating them into distinct entities.

## Sectors

- Healthcare
- Impact Investing

## Offices

- Oakland, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Fresno, CA
- San Diego, CA

## People

- Brenda Solórzano — President and CEO

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at The California Endowment?

Kelli Washington serves as chief investment officer. Brenda Solórzano holds the president and CEO role with oversight of overall strategy.

### How does The California Endowment source proprietary deal flow?

The foundation identifies opportunities through its network of mission-aligned fund managers and direct relationships in California health and community sectors.

### Does The California Endowment participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The endowment makes both fund commitments and program-related investments. Holdings include multiple venture and private equity vehicles focused on health equity.

### What investment stages does The California Endowment typically target?

The foundation targets early-stage venture, growth equity, and balanced private equity strategies through its external managers.

### What is The California Endowment's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

The foundation uses co-investments and direct holdings alongside its fund commitments in mission-related strategies.

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Last updated: 2026-07-08T20:58:28.600Z

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