OUR PARTNERSHIPS

Welcome to the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation’s Partnerships Database. Here, we spotlight our journey with diverse partners, showcasing projects that propel Oakland’s growth. Our collaborations range from impactful public-private partnerships securing significant grants to empowering local community endeavors with vital support. This platform not only reflects our commitment to building a more responsive government and nurturing a thriving community but also serves as a hub for the vibrant connections and innovative ventures that shape Oakland’s future. Join us in exploring these dynamic partnerships and the transformative projects they bring to our city.
Highlighted Partner
Bay Area Community Services (BACS) UCSF Benioff Homelessness and ...
2021, 2022
Public-Private Partnerships
Oakland Shallow Subsidy Pilot
In July 2021, the Shallow Subsidy Pilot launched, providing 18 months of support to 200 Oakland hous...eholds, focusing on preventing homelessness among the most vulnerable, per Alameda County's report on racial equity in homeless system design. Researchers from UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative (BHHI) are evaluating the program, which seeks to inform policy changes at various levels, with final reports expected in winter 2024.
Highlighted Partner
City of Oakland Department of Violence Prevention
2022
Public-Private Partnerships
Town Nights Family Matters
The City of Oakland's Department of Violence Prevention and the Gilead Foundation's Creating Possibl...e Fund have initiated a transformative three-year Challenge Grant. This partnership prioritizes health equity by focusing on prevention and intervention services for school-age youth to break the cycle of violence. The collaboration supports 80 at-risk OUSD students' families with coaching, education, and resources to enhance their ability to prevent violence. It also organizes community events during high-crime hours, promoting pro-social activities, community bonds, and reducing violence. A media campaign raises awareness about violence prevention, emotional effects, victimization signs, non-violent responses, and cultural misconceptions.
Highlighted Partner
City of Oakland Department of Cultural Affairs
2021, 2022
Public-Private Partnerships
Cultural-Strategist-in-Government Program
Oakland's commitment to the "Belonging in Oakland" Cultural Development Plan has fostered a partners...hip with The Oakland Fund for Public Innovation, securing a multi-year grant to promote equity, belonging, and well-being. The Cultural Strategist-in-Government Program embeds 12 Oakland-based individuals, including artists and cultural workers, into city departments to infuse fresh perspectives and creative solutions. This innovative initiative, already working with 11 city entities, serves as a model for other municipalities, emphasizing Oakland's dedication to creating a just and inclusive city. The program, initiated in 2022, continues into 2023, fostering collaborations with other cities to advance equity solutions.
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Interfaith Power & Light
2022
Community Partners
Creating Climate Resillence Hubs
CIPL mobilizes individuals and faith-based communities against climate change, greening houses of ...worship, educating on environmental stewardship, and advocating for equitable climate policies. They prioritize climate resilience, helping underserved congregations become community climate resiliency hubs with OFPI support, like Faith Baptist Church in East Oakland, the city's first climate resiliency hub.
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Hidden Genius Project
2022
Community Partners
Transforming Lives of Black Male Youth
Since 2012, this project has transformed Black male youth's lives through technology, entrepreneursh...ip, and leadership training. They partner with community organizations and public systems to unlock potential, with their Intensive Immersion Program offering 800 hours of training and Catalyst programs providing events and workshops. OFPI support continues to empower Black male youth for success.
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Planting Justice
2022
Community Partners
Grow Food. Grow Jobs. Grow Community
Planting Justice aims to establish a sustainable local food system generating green jobs, economic e...quity, and community healing through nutritious food access, dignified employment, and education. Since 2009, PJ built 550 edible gardens and partnered with five high schools for food justice curricula. They address systemic food system inequalities, receiving grants for post-fire recovery and an aquaponics farm, benefiting formerly incarcerated individuals.
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Icy Baby Foundation Goalsetter Oaklandia Cafe
2022
Community Partners
Closing the Racial Wealth Gap
The racial wealth gap in the US, especially affecting Black and Brown families, is widening. Oakland... has lost 50% of its Black population due to economic displacement since 2009. The Close the Gap pilot program, a public-private partnership, educates and empowers young Black and Brown individuals in Oakland on saving and investing to narrow the wealth gap. In December 2022, the program launched a financial literacy initiative with Goalsetter, Saweetie's Icy Baby Foundation, and Oaklandia Cafe, providing funded debit cards and financial education resources to participants.
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Partners in Public Innovation
2022
Public-Private Partnerships
Partners in Public Innovation
Partners in Public Innovation (PPI) is committed to elevating public services through a culture of c...ontinuous improvement within government. Led by former public servants, PPI has nationwide experience enhancing services via data-driven methods, streamlined processes, faster hiring, and facility maintenance. In 2022, in collaboration with the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation (OFPI), PPI launched two strategic pilot projects: City staff joined PPI's Lean Leaders program to expedite Accessory Dwelling Unit permitting, and PPI provided coaching to Mayor's Office staff overseeing efforts on illegal dumping, homelessness, and violent crime.
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Oakland EcoBlock
2022
Public-Private Partnerships
Oakland EcoBlock
OFPI proudly backs the Oakland EcoBlock, a visionary project that transforms existing homes into a r...esilient neighborhood. This initiative
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Oakland City Challenge
2022
Public-Private Partnerships
Oakland City Challenge
The Oakland City Challenge is a collaborative initiative where city officials and residents work tog...ether to implement resident-generated solutions for critical city issues. It empowers local civil servants and residents to jointly address urban challenges and improve Oakland's livability. In 2022, 237 residents submitted proposals, with 860 community members casting 2,361 votes. A panel of 18 reviewers, including community leaders and experts, selected six winning proposals related to homelessness, violent crime, and illegal dumping. These winners, including formerly incarcerated individuals and students, received funding to develop implementable pilot projects with the goal of eventual scaling, supported by the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation.
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Youth Employment Partnership
2021
Public-Private Partnerships
Tiny Home Community
In January 2022, YEP launched a 12-bed emergency housing tiny home community to address Oakland's ho...meless young adult housing shortage. This innovative project also served as an outdoor classroom, helping over 40 young individuals gain carpentry skills, earn high school diplomas, and obtain industry-recognized credentials. It's a crucial response to the 47% increase in homelessness among unaccompanied youth and young adults in Oakland from 2017 to 2019, exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis.
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Raheem Inc.
2021
Community Partners
The Alternative Crisis & Outreach Response Network (ACORN)
Raheem is determined to revolutionize the 911 dispatch system, striving for a world without police. ...Their foundation is the PATCH software system, supported by the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation. ACORN, a part of Raheem, brings together crisis response organizations, public health agencies, and mutual aid resources to create a care-based ecosystem. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on marginalized communities has heightened the urgency for change. PATCH and ACORN aim to prevent unnecessary police interactions, adapting to pandemic challenges. In collaboration with like-minded partners, they are forging a safer and more effective alternative to traditional dispatch systems for the COVID-19 era and beyond.
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Homies Empowerment
2021
Public-Private Partnerships
The Freedom Store Love Packages Fishes and Loaves Care Team
The Oakland Fund for Public Innovation has been instrumental in supporting Homies' Empowerment initi...atives, including the FREEdom Store, which serves 2,000 individuals weekly with produce, meals, pantry items, diapers, and toiletries. Love Packages provide customized care packages for those unable to visit due to COVID or illness. Fishes and Loaves deliver essentials to unhoused community members. The Care Team goes beyond food, offering cash aid, benefits support, and housing resources to the FREEdom Store community.
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Ella Baker Center for Human RIghts
2021
Community Partners
Inside/Outside Fellowship
The Inside/Outside Fellowship, a pioneering program by EBC, formalizes our history of inside-outside... organizing for policy reform. It played a vital role in COVID-19 response, with Fellows forging impactful partnerships across prison walls to protect incarcerated individuals at San Quentin. OFPI's investment has been crucial in piloting the program. After successfully completing the first cycle and learning valuable lessons, we're excited to expand the Fellowship in 2022.
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East Oakland Collective
2021
Community Partners
East Oakland SuSu Lending Circle Program
The East Oakland SuSu Lending Circle Program, in partnership with The East Oakland Collective (EOC),... empowers low to middle-income Black residents (30-80% of AMI) by fostering financial education and resource pooling. In the past year, the program achieved significant milestones, enrolling 36 BIPOC Oakland residents in a 0% interest savings loan platform and launching a scholarship pilot for 10 low-income young adults. It collectively increased participant household savings by $33,850, with an average of $940 per household, and improved credit scores through financial workshops, enhancing financial well-being in East Oakland's diverse communities.
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Community Kitchens
2021
Community Partners
Community Kitchens
Community Kitchens collaborates with over 10 community organizations and restaurant partners to prep...are and distribute nutritious meals, aiding those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Beyond sustenance, these meals connect individuals with essential services. Since March 2020, over 100,000 meals have been delivered, injecting $1 million in revenue to support 50 local restaurants. This initiative showcases the impact of community collaboration.
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The Black Cultural Zone
2021
Community Partners
UMOJA Skating Rink
Established in partnership with the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation, the UMOJA skating rink has t...ransformed life in East Oakland. This vibrant community space has become a hub for families, youth, and skate enthusiasts, offering a place for exercise, laughter, and connection. During the pandemic and Oakland's history, such opportunities were rare, but UMOJA filled that void, bringing joy and unity to East Oakland. This initiative is part of the broader mission of the Black Cultural Zone, conceived in 2014 to address disinvestment and displacement. Led by the Eastside Arts Alliance and local nonprofits, it revitalizes a 50-square-block area through Black arts, artists, and community empowerment.
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Oakland Fund for Public Innovation
2021
Community Partners
COVID-19 Relief Fund 2021
The COVID-19 Relief Fund by The Oakland Fund for Public Innovation was established to counter the ad...verse economic and social repercussions of the pandemic. It effectively tackled food insecurity, homelessness, community health education, and economic instability for over 25,000 Oakland residents and families. Invaluable support from our community partners played a pivotal role in addressing the exacerbated inequalities resulting from the pandemic. Having raised over $5.7 million, this fund provided crucial aid to the most vulnerable residents, families, and low-income small businesses in Oakland.
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City of Oakland Economic & Workforce Devolopnent Department
2021, 2022
Public-Private Partnerships
Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
OFPI, in collaboration with the City of Oakland, empowers local youth aged 16-21 by offering meaning...ful work experiences and job readiness through the OWDB Summer Youth Employment Program. This initiative boosts summer employment opportunities, providing subsidized and employer-sponsored positions. It prioritizes youth from underrepresented backgrounds, including those outside traditional schooling. Primarily benefiting East Oakland, Fruitvale, and West Oakland, the program offers vital job training and employment for 303 disconnected youth.
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ESO Ventures
2021
Public-Private Partnerships
Eastside Oakland Ventures (ESO Ventures)
In March 2021, OFPI kickstarted ESO Ventures with seed funding, and together with the State of Calif...ornia and Councilmember Loren Taylor's office, they've secured $8 million. This investment powers the Capital in Community Initiative, unlocking an additional $8 million from the state to boost 250 Black and Brown-owned East Oakland businesses, creating over 1,100 jobs. This groundbreaking partnership aims to reshape Oakland's economic landscape, addressing the stark disparities in venture capital allocation and business valuations. By doing so, it strives to make entrepreneurship more inclusive and accessible to a diverse range of Californians.