What is SIEDI?

SIEDI (Salinas Inclusive Economic Development Initiative) began as a collective journey by nine community-based organizations with a shared commitment to build a more inclusive and equitable economy for the families and communities of the Salinas Valley. Each organization receive mentoring and operational support over the three years.

SIEDI was funded by a $3 million grant from The James Irvine Foundation in partnership with the Community Foundation for Monterey County. The grant supported nonprofits and community groups to influence inclusive recovery and economic development efforts, especially those related to the preservation and creation of quality, family-sustaining jobs in Salinas. The program increased the number of family-sustaining, good jobs in Salinas and strengthened the CFMC’s capacity to engage in inclusive economic development efforts.

In 2024, SIEDI was renewed for another two years thanks to a generous $3.35 million grant from The James Irvine Foundation. SIEDI Part 2 will continue to build on previous work and include three additional cohort members. The success so far demonstrates the impact that can be made by deep, consistent investment in our community leaders.

SIEDI in the news

• The Monterey Bay Joby Aviation Working Group Celebrates $9.8M CalCompetes Award to Joby Aviation 11.17.23

• A foundation aims to change the way economic development works by empowering community leaders in Salinas Monterey County Weekly cover story 11.9.23

• SIEDI delegation explores robotics and agriculture at FIRA-USA Conference 10/16/23

With the support of the James Irvine Foundation and the Community Foundation for Monterey County, we have created a table where we can engage in exploration and discovery.” – Ken Smith, Project Director, SIEDI Part 1 

SIEDI Video – Building a Better Salinas

Goals

• Explore and understand the current economy; how it functions, who it benefits and how, and discover how it can be redesigned to benefit more of the families we represent
• Explore our individual organization’s ability to influence how the economy serves the interests of the families we represent and discover ways we can strengthen that ability
• Explore the ways that each of our organizations can act on behalf of a more inclusive economy and discover an effective plan of action we want to take over the next two years.

Participating Groups

• ALBA (Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association)
• Building Healthy Communities
• CCA (Center for Community Advocacy)
• Centro Binacional Para El Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño (CBDIO)
• Hijos del Sol
• Loaves, Fishes & Computers
• Monterey Bay Central Labor Council
• Mujeres en Acción
• Rancho Cielo
• New Hope Baptist Church*
• COPA (Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action)*
• Digital Nest*

*added in SIEDI Part 2

Partners

To support our journey of Exploration and Discovery, we have entered into partnerships with:

• The Institute for Social Transformation at UC Santa Cruz (UCSC), and The Everett Program for Global Information and Social Entrepreneurship and Dr. Chris Benner
• SIEDI Partners: First 5 Monterey County and Hartnell Community College

SIEDI will help us achieve our goals by becoming a space where we:

• Gather, build strong relationships and share the powerful and urgent stories of why Salinas needs a more inclusive economy
• Are motivated, inspired and equipped to take bold, effective action
• Work with data and information, and transform it into knowledge that points to effective action
• Build common platforms which allow us to efficiently deliver a narrative that supports our change efforts
• Identify and organize investments we need in order to be effective change agents on behalf of a more inclusive economy

Ken Smith, SIEDI Phase 1 Project Director, noted the spirit in which the cohorts have come to the table. “They share a clear sense of urgency and a determination to succeed,” he said. “I am very optimistic.” 

Learn more about SIEDI.

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Collaboration|Nonprofits