About Us

The Foundation for California was incorporated in 1986 as a non-profit educational / charitable institution.

Contributions to it are tax deductible under section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. It was founded:

· To encourage an exchange of information between the leaders of California's business, civic and cultural communities with their counterparts around the world, especially Pacific Rim nations

· To study and comment on issues of vital importance to the well-being of California's economy and government, such as anti-growth movements.

The Foundation has been able to call upon the academic resources of the Claremont Colleges in addition to the wealth of talent and experience of greater Southern California to assist with the design of its programs and research.

The Foundation for California is devoted to educating the public about the leading public policy issues in California, the Southwest and the nation through scholarly research and thoughtful discussion.

The Foundation gathers together leading academics, scholars, industry leaders, legal authorities and other opinion leaders to bring critical policy matters to light in forum of civil discourse.

The Foundation’s primary purpose is the pursuit of knowledge in establishing a position as a leading contributor to the vibrant marketplace of ideas. It also sponsors student research and internships in government in state capitals and in Washington, D.C. While not exclusively limited to the Claremont Colleges, the Foundation has worked closely with Claremont students and faculty in a variety of capacities related to its mission.

Among its past achievements, the Foundation has been a beacon of intelligent discussion on a wide variety of leading public issues, including environmental, labor, business, legislative, electoral, education and other matters.

On the environmental front, the Foundation has taken the lead by holding a series of successful conferences on the current and future status of California landfills and their potential impacts on surrounding ecosystems. The Foundation hosted a conference at the Racquet Club of Palm Springs that featured an impressive gathering of scientists, engineers, waste management industry leaders and environmental experts to determine the long-term needs of the state’s existing and future landfills.