California Donor Table Welcomes Philanthropy Leader Victoria Rodarte as its First Director of Foundation Partnerships & Engagement
CALIFORNIA — The California Donor Table and California Donor Table Fund welcome philanthropy leader and immigrant rights expert Victoria Rodarte as the organization’s first Director of Foundation Partnerships & Engagement. Rodarte will lead efforts to strengthen and diversify the table’s 501c3 work, partnerships, and network.
“As our society sinks deeper into authoritarianism, we need to use all of the tools in our toolbox to protect our communities and progressive values across the state,” said Ludovic Blain, executive director of the California Donor Table. “Victoria is deeply rooted in immigrant rights and civic engagement work, and a tireless advocate for a thriving multi-racial democracy in California. With her philanthropic and movement experience, we can build stronger partnerships across tax statutes to support courageous leaders across all levels of government who reflect our values and will fight for and advance policies to improve conditions for working families and all of our communities.”
As Director of Foundation Partnerships & Engagement, Rodarte will join the membership and development team led by Chief Impact Officer, Rebecca Hamburg. She will play a leading role in constructing new programs to advance philanthropy’s role in supporting California’s multicultural communities. In addition, Rodarte will develop and nurture strategic partnerships with foundations and drive engagement strategies for institutional members. She will also cultivate a robust pipeline of new foundation partners, facilitate a network of philanthropic stakeholders, allies, and field partners across California.
“I am honored to join the California Donor Table during this critical time in our nation’s history,” said Rodarte. “Now, more than ever, it’s time for philanthropy to be strategic, bold, and forward thinking. The attacks on immigrants and communities of color have galvanized funders and everyday Californians to protect and defend our multi-racial democracy. Whether you are a donor, funder, or elected official — we all have a unique role to play in shifting harmful systems and empowering leaders on the front lines. I look forward to aligning foundations and institutional funders with CDT’s multi-entity strategies to fight for our collective well-being and liberation.”
Rodarte joins the California Donor Table with a deep commitment to racial justice and systems change. Rooted in her upbringing as a daughter of immigrants in Southeast Los Angeles, she is committed to seeing the needs of underrepresented communities addressed in our political system. Recently, she served as a Senior Democracy Fellow at Northern California Grantmakers. Prior to NCG, she served as Program Associate at the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund for seven years, where she partnered with program directors and grantees on key initiatives and grantmaking in support of immigrant rights and strengthening California’s democracy. Victoria is a first-generation college graduate and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in public policy from Mills College.
California Donor Table, originally called the Progressive Era Project, began in 2005 with five donors from three families. Combining political strategy with community organizing and training, the project aimed to develop and support Black, Latinx, and Asian Pacific Islander progressive leaders, organizations and candidates. Over the last two decades, they have invested over $70 million across all tax statuses to build political power and civic engagement while centering racial equity and justice. CDT has financially supported the election of over 100 progressive candidates, flipped and held at least 11 House seats, helped elect many mayors, including of LA, SD and Oakland, and elected 4 DAs.
About the California Donor Table
The California Donor Table is a statewide community of donors who pool their funds to make investments in communities of color so they have the power and resources to (1) elect people who represent their values and needs and (2) help govern and hold decision-makers accountable. California Donor Table believes that California can and must lead the nation in becoming a healthy, just place to live with shared economic success and a democracy that works for all our people. Please visit: californiadonortable.org
