We stand with our communities
Dear partners,
As we head into election week, we know that it is a concerning time for many. While we do not know what the outcome of the election will be, we are certain of our steadfast commitment to our community and region.
The Sobrato Organization and family, alongside our team at Sobrato Philanthropies, stands unequivocally for equity, justice, and opportunity. We stand in community with Silicon Valley’s most vulnerable residents, especially women, people of color, documented and undocumented immigrants, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We stand against threats to undermine our Constitution and the rule of law, and strongly support the rights of every US citizen to safely access the voting booth without any form of threat or harassment. We denounce all forms of hate speech and intimidation that would keep people from accessing safe and secure elections.
In 2020, Sobrato Philanthropies began investing in organizations that directly support racial equity and promote free and fair elections, and we are proud of our recent commitments to this work. Through our longstanding Silicon Valley Program, we remain committed to supporting local organizations that work deeply in community to advance resident power and agency, including supporting residents to fully participate in this election. The hard work these nonprofits do has intensified in the current environment and we are grateful for their leadership. It is a privilege to be able to contribute to their work.
Our Sobrato Philanthropies team is made up of a diverse group of staff who reflect our communities, holding many of the same tensions and anxieties of this time. We commit to being responsive to community needs and advocating for policies that address systemic barriers.
Let’s continue to be the best of what a community can be – standing alongside one another and caring for one another even across differences.
In community,
Lisa Sobrato Sonsini, Chair, Sobrato Philanthropies
John M Sobrato, Board Chair, The Sobrato Organization
John A Sobrato, Board Chair Emeritus, The Sobrato Organization
Sheri Sobrato, Executive Committee Member, Sobrato Philanthropies
Jeff Sobrato, Executive Committee Member, Sobrato Philanthropies
John Matthew Sobrato, Sobrato Philanthropies
Alexa Cortés Culwell, President of Sobrato Philanthropies and Chief Impact Officer
Tony Mestres, Chief Executive Officer, The Sobrato Organization
Camille Llanes-Fontanilla, Vice President, Silicon Valley Program