The Walter S. Johnson Foundation assists youth in Northern California and Washoe County, Nevada, to become successful adults by promoting positive change to the policies and systems that serve them and supporting high impact and promising practices. Our priority areas are:
Transition-aged Foster Youth
Every year in California, about 4,000 youth age out of foster care without adequate social support or life skills. To ensure a successful transition to adulthood, WSJF partners with state and county social service agencies, post-secondary institutions, community-based organizations, and other foundations to create an integrated system of services, for current and former foster youth aged 14 to 24. more
College and Career Technical Education Completion Strategies
Fewer than one third of students that start at a California community college complete their educational goals such as transfer to a four-year school or completion of an associate’s degree or a career technical certificate. WSJF works with post-secondary institutions, primarily community colleges, to address barriers to completion at the systems and classroom level. more
Family Economic Success
Traditional anti-poverty strategies like income supports and social services provide vital safety nets for low-income families, but are not effective in helping many participants raise themselves out of poverty. WSJF supports organizations that are helping low-income families to build economic security and success through the promotion of saving and entrepreneurship. more
