Esperanza rising foundation
Esperanza Rising is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational foundation that was established in 2007 to provide financial assistance to families employed by California agriculture. The operations of the foundation are overseen by a Board of Directors.
how we started
The foundation was inspired by the children’s book authored by Pam Munoz Ryan entitled, “Esperanza Rising.” The book describes the very difficult conditions endured by families employed by California agriculture during the Dust Bowl days. Disappointingly, some 75 years later, some of the same hardships of the 1930s continue to challenge families working in agriculture today.
what we do
No overhead is taken from any contribution to the foundation. One hundred percent of every dollar donated to Esperanza Rising is used to provide financial assistance to low income families with at least one primary wage earner employed by a California agricultural firm. A family is described as a husband and wife or a single parent with one or more children living in the family residence.
how we operate
Esperanza Rising collects donations over the course of the year and uses existing organizations such as schools, churches and Federal and State government assistance programs to help identify needy agricultural families. Completed applications are reviewed by the Board of Directors and 100% of the funds collected each year are distributed annually.
“Look at the zigzag of the blanket. Mountains and valleys. Right now you are in the bottom of the valley and your problems loom big around you. But soon, you will be at the top of the mountain again. After you have lived many mountains and valleys, we will be together.”
by the numbers
$140,000 raised
$140,000 distributed to families in need
298 families helped
11 years in operation