PARTNERSHIP CASE STUDIES
Partnerships that Power Oakland
Oakland Fund partners with community organizations to transform how the city supports entrepreneurs, youth, and civic engagement. Through strategic funding and operational support, we help grassroots leaders build lasting infrastructure that creates economic opportunity, safety, and community power.
*The partnerships highlighted here are illustrative and do not represent the full scope of our work.
BAOBOB:
Flipping the Engagement Model
Challenge
In 2024, Oakland's Business Development Division invited the Bay Area Organization of Black Owned Businesses (BAOBOB) to conduct a small business survey. Led by founder and CEO YaVette Holts, the process revealed what many already knew: traditional surveys reduce entrepreneurs' experiences to numbers, leaving out the human stories and cultural context that drive real change.
The Partnership
Through Oakland Fund’s Cultural Strategists in Government (CSIG) Program, Holts served as a cultural strategist within the City’s Business Development Division. With this support, BAOBOB transformed what began as a small business survey into OakTalk X — a storytelling platform that honored entrepreneurs’ voices while still gathering essential data.
WHY IT MATTERS
Black entrepreneurs build wealth that spreads. Stronger businesses, stronger neighborhoods, stronger generations.
What’s Next
With Oakland Fund backing, BAOBOB is making OakTalk X a permanent part of Oakland's civic and business landscape.
ImpacT
BAOBOB gave Black-owned businesses a stronger voice in civic decision-making:
62 Black-owned businesses engaged through OakTalk X
Policy conversations shaped directly by entrepreneurs
New collaborations launched between businesses and City decision-makers
Increased visibility for Black-owned businesses across Oakland
“The most powerful part was seeing businesses not only share their story but also shape solutions together.”
— YaVette Holts, BAOBOB
ESO Ventures:
Building Entrepreneurial Infrastructure
Challenge
The pandemic exposed what Oakland entrepreneurs already knew: no capital, no networks, no training that made sense for their reality. Strong ideas faded waiting for a pathway that didn't exist.
The Partnership
Oakland Fund backed ESO Ventures when it was just an idea, providing money, operational support, and credibility that turned a pilot into a citywide program. We amplified ESO's vision and connected the funders and civic allies who could help it scale.
WHY IT MATTERS
Entrepreneurship drives Oakland's economy. By backing ESO early, Oakland Fund built infrastructure that keeps generating new businesses, jobs, and wealth pathways for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
What’s Next
ESO is expanding beyond Oakland while still serving local entrepreneurs. Oakland Fund stays connected as a strategic amplifier, aligning funders and leaders to sustain ESO's growth.
ImpacT
ESO Ventures is multiplying opportunities for Oakland entrepreneurs:
600+ entrepreneurs supported since launch
90% secured their first business funding
Alumni creating new programs, expanding the model’s reach
Stronger small business ecosystem anchoring Oakland’s economy
“You did for us what we’re now doing for entrepreneurs — offering confidence, competence, and capital.”
— Martha Hernández, ESO Ventures
OAKWeb:
Community Voice at the Center
Challenge
Many Oakland organizations have worked for decades to build power and access. Still, community leaders often operate in silos, and without coordinated alignment, shared priorities around housing, safety, economic opportunity, and culture can lose visibility in major civic moments.
The Partnership
OakWeb is a leadership network convened by the Oakland Fund in 2024 to align community leaders around shared priorities.
In 2025, OakWeb leaders co-hosted the first Mayoral Forum, elevating community-defined issues in front of candidates and residents.
*Participating organizations include Kingmakers of Oakland, Black Cultural Zone, Ella Baker Center, East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC), East Oakland Collective, Homies Empowerment, and ESO Ventures.
WHY IT MATTERS
When grassroots voices drive civic conversation, policy reflects experience on the ground. Government becomes more accountable and solutions more sustainable.
What’s Next
OakWeb continues building collective power. Oakland Fund amplifies coalition voices and convenes leaders at future civic milestones.
ImpacT
OakWeb ensured grassroots priorities shaped the 2025 Mayoral Forum:
40+ Oakland-based organizations and agencies represented
125+ residents engaged directly with candidates
Community-led questions set the agenda on housing, equity, and safety
Strengthened coalition power and civic accountability
“Communities that know what they’re fighting for can affect change and shift power. And I believe Oakland knows what it’s fighting for.”
— Juma Crawford, Moderator
OaklandTRYBE
Building Safety From Within
East Oakland youth face violence, poverty, and disconnection. Most interventions focus on punishment instead of belonging and opportunity.
Challenge
Oakland Fund partnered with TRYBE to change that. We provided funding and operational support to amplify TRYBE's community-rooted model: pairing youth with mentors, internships, and leadership opportunities. Our role was ensuring they had resources and visibility to expand their reach.
The Partnership
WHY IT MATTERS
By amplifying TRYBE, Oakland Fund helped show how healing, leadership, and opportunity create safer, stronger neighborhoods. Real safety grows from belonging.
TRYBE is expanding mentorship and building more youth-led programming. Oakland Fund continues providing resources and visibility.
What’s Next
ImpacT
TRYBE strengthens belonging and leadership among East Oakland youth:
67 youth engaged in 2025
94% of mentorships lasted over 3 months
91% reported new opportunities to lead and connect
Families and neighborhoods reporting stronger trust and safety
“I felt like I finally had someone who believed in me. That changed everything.”
— TRYBE youth participant