California Budget & Policy Center: Advancing Equity and Justice

The California Budget & Policy Center (Budget Center) is a nonpartisan research and analysis nonprofit dedicated to advancing policies that expand opportunities and promote equity across California. Founded on the belief that all Californians deserve the dignity and support to thrive, the organization focuses on making the state budget and related policies understandable and accessible to the public, empowering advocates to champion inclusive policies.

Core Principles: Justice and Equity

The Budget Center frames its work around two central concepts: justice and equity. Justice represents the ultimate goal – a California where communities historically denied equitable opportunities can fully participate and flourish. Equity is the tool used to achieve this vision, encompassing fairness in opportunities, access, and outcomes, while also fostering a sense of inclusion, respect, and belonging for all Californians.

Internal and External Commitments to Equity

The Budget Center’s commitment to equity is deeply embedded in both its internal operations and its external work. This commitment manifests in several key areas:

Fostering an Equitable Organization

• Creating an inclusive, welcoming, supportive, and compassionate environment where all staff and partners feel respected, valued, and able to contribute meaningfully.
• Developing and maintaining systems that promote equitable recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, career pathways, and leadership opportunities.
• Attracting, supporting, and retaining a diverse staff and Board of Directors with a range of experiences and perspectives, united by a shared commitment to equity.
• Prioritizing continuous learning and reflection to strengthen the organization’s capacity to apply equity and anti-racist practices.

Promoting Justice and Equity Across California

• Expanding collaboration and partnerships with a diverse array of individuals and groups, particularly community-based organizations representing or led by those directly impacted by relevant policies.
• Building knowledge and capacity to be an anti-racist organization, dismantle systemic inequities, and understand the intersectionality of Californians’ identities.
• Strengthening an equity lens in all aspects of the Budget Center’s work.

Key Areas of Policy Focus

The California state budget serves as the foundation for policy decisions across a wide range of critical areas. The California Budget & Policy Center provides research and analysis on issues including:

• Health Care
• Economic Security
• Early Childhood Education
• Housing & Homelessness
• Poverty & Inequality
• The Safety Net
• Taxes & Revenue
• The Justice System

Events and Engagement

The Budget Center hosts events throughout the year to bring together policy experts, advocates, and community leaders to address California’s most pressing challenges. Recent and upcoming events include:

• Understanding the Governor’s 2026-27 California State Budget Proposal: January 16, 2026 (Virtual) [Video Link]
• Virtual Policy Insights Conference 2026: April 22, 2026, Sacramento, CA [Video Link]
• California State Budget Preview: December 8, 2025 (Virtual)

The Budget Center encourages public engagement through its email list and participation in its events. Learn more and sign up for updates.