Firearm violence is a complex public health issue that requires a massive collaborative approach. Hope and Heal Fund is a way to come together as a powerful force to stop an epidemic in our state.

Deanna Gomby, former President & CEO, Heising-Simons Foundation

We Take A Public Health Approach To
The Prevention Of Firearm Violence In California

The mission of the Hope and Heal Fund is to harness the collective power of individuals, communities, corporate leaders, government, and philanthropy to ensure homes and communities in California are safe and free from death, injury, and trauma due to firearm violence.

Our Vision And Values

Our Vision

Safe homes and safe communities With gun violence claiming over 35,000 lives in California in the past decade, there is a vital need for a collaborative approach to keep our homes and communities free and safe from firearm violence.

Our Values

Inclusion Prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion and transparency in grantmaking, leadership and management opportunities

Collaboration Promote and leverage collective action and lead from a place of strength to make change

Trust Follow community-led efforts to reduce firearm deaths, injuries, and trauma

Leadership Leverage our investments for collective action to create opportunities for change

Hope Instill optimism about the future – firearm violence is not inevitable, it’s preventable

Healing Help communities heal the wounds and trauma from firearm violence by taking action together

Our Story

Funders Across California Came Together To End Gun Violence

In the wake of the tragic shooting in San Bernardino in 2015, the ENOUGH Summit was held to bring a diverse group of funders and community leaders from across the state together to talk about how to address the gun violence epidemic in California. The Hope and Heal Fund emerged from the ENOUGH Summit as the first and only collaborative fund solely dedicated to the prevention of gun violence in California.

Since launching in December 2016, Hope and Heal Fund has invested over $1 million in best practices and strategic solutions to prevent and interrupt gun violence in all forms — suicide, domestic violence and community violence. The Hope and Heal Fund works with community leaders and thought leaders to provide communities with the actionable data, resources and capacity to achieve success.

Led By Executive Director Brian Malte

Brian Malte is a nationally recognized leader in the gun violence prevention movement. Over the course of his 25-year career, Brian has led community-based movements as well as strategic political campaigns for sensible gun reforms.

Having been a successful community organizer who helped pass many of California’s effective gun laws and build local capacity, and serving as the National Policy Director for Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Brian now spearheads the philanthropic movement to increase support to local violence prevention organizations and to community advocates working to end gun violence.

Brian became one of the country’s most familiar spokesmen for the burgeoning gun violence prevention movement. He has been a featured speaker at many state and national conferences and routinely provides expert analysis to news outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, NPR and Mother Jones.

Read Hope and Heal's Blog

Our Team

Brian Malte Image

Brian Malte

Executive Director Read Bio
Ally Barron Image

Ally Barron

Chief Development Officer Read Bio
Diana Guardado Image

Diana Guardado

Communications Manager Read Bio
Mary Kopp Image

Mary Kopp

Senior Managing Officer, Operations Read Bio
Refujio “Cuco” Rodriguez Image

Refujio “Cuco” Rodriguez

Chief Strategist & Equity Officer Read Bio
Saul Serrano Image

Saul Serrano

Program Officer Read Bio

Our Steering Committee

Dr. Armika Berkley, DSc., MPH Image

Dr. Armika Berkley, DSc., MPH

Chief Administrative Officer Kaiser Permanente San Rafael
Matt Cervantes Image

Matt Cervantes

Managing Director, Healthy Youth Development Sierra Health Foundation
Tyler Jackson Image

Tyler Jackson

Deputy Director, Impact Capital Low Income Investment Fund
Gina Martinez Image

Gina Martinez

Learning and Evaluation Officer, Learning and Impact California Health Care Foundation
Jodi Ravel Image

Jodi Ravel

Program Officer CARESTAR Foundation
Steve Sposato Image

Steve Sposato

Technology Consultant
Richard Thomason Image

Richard Thomason

Director of Policy Blue Shield of California Foundation