Monterey County, California — The Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) has launched Round 3 of the Salinas Inclusive Economic Development Initiative (SIEDI), continuing a multi-year effort to build an economy where employers, workers, families and communities can thrive together.

The James Irvine Foundation (JIF) has renewed its support, investing more than $3.1 million to support local partners working across education, workforce development, agriculture, entrepreneurship, childcare, housing, healthcare and community leadership. This grant, part of JIFs Priority Communities Initiative, brings their total investment in SIEDI to $9 million over six years.

The CFMC leads the initiative locally and will provide more than $2.5 in unrestricted support to 16 SIEDI partner organizations over the next two years as well as strengthen connections among community-based organizations, residents, employers, educational institutions, industry leaders and other regional partners. Additional resources will provide leadership development, mentorship, capacity building, network weaving and technical support.

“SIEDI is grounded in a simple principle: employers, workers, families and communities all do better when we remember that we are all in this together,” said Dan Baldwin, President/CEO of the Community Foundation for Monterey County.

A new video reveals SIEDI in action, showing how partners, residents and regional leaders are working together to build a more inclusive economy. The video can be viewed at cfmco.org/SIEDI.

At its core, SIEDI is designed so that residents and community-rooted leaders are not simply recipients of economic-development decisions — they help shape them alongside the institutions, employers and other leaders whose decisions affect the region’s economy.

"SIEDI's next phase is about investing in innovative collaborations and inspiring leaders who can help bring community voice to the key economic decisions that will shape the future of the Salinas Valley economy,” said Reid Norris, Director of Community Initiatives and Partnerships, who co-leads the SIEDI program.

Round 3 SIEDI partners gathered on September 23, 2026 in Salinas to examine the changing regional economy and identify where stronger relationships, coordinated action and collective influence can positively contribute to a more inclusive economy. The conversation focused on three areas of strong partner alignment: education, employment and childcare pathways; worker dignity and sustainability in agriculture; and community-led entrepreneurship and local economic vitality. The convening helped partners identify shared goals, make commitments, and identify next steps to carry forward.

The 16 SIEDI Round 3 member organizations are:

For SIEDI, an inclusive economy is one where economic opportunity is shaped by and creates value for workers, families, employers, entrepreneurs and communities. SIEDI began in 2021 by investing in trusted community organizations and creating space for relationships, learning and collaboration.

SIEDI’s Round 2 results model a win-win-win approach: stronger workers and families, stronger employers and industries and stronger communities with the voice and capacity to help shape the region’s economic future. Participating partners have deepened their understanding of the regional economy, power and policy; developed solutions rooted in community experience; and built stronger relationships across organizations and sectors.

This next phase emphasizes putting those assets into action together with greater focus on measurable results and collective influence. In Round 3, SIEDI partners are moving beyond individual programs toward coordinated efforts across six strategic priorities:

·         High-Quality Education, Employment and Childcare Pathways

·         Healthcare Access and Workforce Stability

·         An Equitable and Sustainable Agricultural Economy

·         Community-Led Entrepreneurship and Local Economic Vitality

·         Affordable Housing as Economic Infrastructure

·         Community Voice and Structural Influence

For employers and industry partners, SIEDI offers a way to connect with trusted organizations and the people they serve, providing deeper insight into local talent, employment barriers and opportunities to build stronger career pathways. For community-based organizations, it opens new relationships, expertise and resources. For residents, it means being at the table early enough to help define the problem and shape the solution.

“The people closest to our challenges also bring knowledge and ideas that are essential to solving them. SIEDI gives us a place to bring that lived experience into direct conversation with employers, institutions and other partners — and then figure out what we can build together,” said Jackie Cruz, Ed.D., VP of Advancement & Development at Hartnell Community College and Executive Director Hartnell College Foundation (SIEDI Partner)

About SIEDI

SIEDI (Salinas Inclusive Economic Development Initiative) began in 2021 with a grant from The James Irvine Foundation to create a more inclusive economy in the Salinas Valley. The program is led by the Community Foundation for Monterey County and includes 16 participating organizations. SIEDI invests in the collaborative capacity of trusted community-based organizations, so the people most affected by economic inequity have a voice in the decisions shaping the future of the Salinas Valley economy. SIEDI provides unrestricted grants and brings together a learning community, creating a space for coordinated action and relationship-building to enhance inclusive economic development. To learn more, visit cfmco.org/SIEDI.

About the Community Foundation for Monterey County

The Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to inspire philanthropy and be a catalyst for strengthening communities throughout Monterey County.” Through grantmaking, community leadership, nonprofit support, special initiatives and disaster response, the CFMC works with donors and community partners to create healthy, safe and vibrant communities today and for future generations. For more information, call 831.375.9712 or visit cfmco.org.