Sobrato Philanthropies recently selected Third Sector to provide strategic advisory support to strengthen public-private partnerships and build the conditions for long-term economic mobility across Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda counties in California. Over the next year, Third Sector will support Sobrato Philanthropies in identifying public funding streams, assessing existing community initiatives, and developing strategies that align philanthropic investments with government priorities and community-led solutions.

With many community-led initiatives facing uncertain long-term sustainability, this partnership will help identify how public funding, philanthropic strategy, and collective action can work together more effectively. Across California, many of these efforts deliver meaningful support and hold deep trust with residents, but fragmented systems, limited funding transparency, and inconsistent public ownership often make it difficult to sustain and scale that work. Through this engagement, Sobrato Philanthropies will gain a stronger understanding of how funding, power, and influence move across county systems and how those dynamics can support stronger coordination among philanthropy, government, nonprofits, and community partners. 

“We’re deeply committed to unlocking the possibility that our government agencies can drive economic mobility for everyone they serve,” said Caroline Whistler, CEO and Co-Founder of Third Sector. “Third Sector is thrilled to advance public-private partnerships in the Bay Area. It’s the kind of cross-sector collaboration that can scale and deepen outcomes-focused approaches in our government and has the potential to transform all our communities for the better.” 

“Communities need stronger alignment between public systems, philanthropy, and local priorities, and this work creates an opportunity to build the relationships, infrastructure, and accountability needed to sustain community-led solutions,” said Jess Praphath, Managing Director of Workforce Pathways. “We’re excited to support Sobrato Philanthropies as it advances a thoughtful approach to partnership that can help counties better invest in long-term economic mobility.”

Throughout this collaboration, Third Sector will partner with Sobrato Philanthropies staff to build and strengthen cross-sector alliances and coordinated, collective action across counties. Together, Third Sector and Sobrato Philanthropies will leverage insights from stakeholder engagement, community initiatives, and public funding to engage grantees and new partners in aligning shared agendas. This joint effort will use data to build and strengthen bridges between government and community-led solutions, fostering sustainable and collaborative place-based, public-private partnerships that increase economic mobility for all.

For more information, contact Jessica Praphath, Managing Director, Workforce Pathways, at jpraphath@thirdsectorcap.org, or Yasmeen Richards, Manager, Partnerships & Project Development, at yrichards@thirdsectorcap.org.