Ten years ago, Golden State Opportunity was built on a simple but bold belief: poverty is not inevitable—and the right policies can change lives. Today, that belief is proven.
Together, we’ve helped put billions of dollars back into the pockets of working families, built a powerful statewide network of community partners, and made California a national model for using tax policy to fight poverty. But this milestone is not just about what we’ve achieved. It’s about how we showed up when it mattered most. In the face of economic uncertainty, rising costs, natural disasters, and a federal climate that too often made things harder for working families, we didn’t step back—we stepped up.
We met people where they were, brought resources into overlooked communities, and stood alongside our partners to ensure families could access the support they’ve earned. That is our resilience. That is our fortitude. And it’s what will carry us forward. Because the work is far from done. Too many families are still struggling to afford the basics.
The systems must work better and we know how to make that happen. The next ten years are about going bigger: reaching every eligible Californian, advancing policies that create real economic security, and building lasting power rooted in community voice. If the last decade has shown us anything, it’s this: when we combine community leadership, smart policy, and determination, we can change what’s possible.
