Perspectives by Raúl Macías

Every Voice Shines New Light

The value of an idea increases exponentially when it’s shared. From our staff, partners and grantees to the people impacted by their efforts, each perspective offers new insight into the critical issues at the heart of our work.

Raúl Macías Program Director, Democracy

Raúl leads the Fund’s development and launch of strategies for achieving the Fund’s goal of building a fairer and more representative democracy in California.

See Raúl’s Perspectives

Panel discussion at the language access summit in 2025

Lack of Language Services Keeps Too Many Eligible Immigrants From Voting

September 29, 2025 | by

We’re working with partners to make sure everyone can have a voice

Making voting easier and more accessible for all eligible voters is essential to a strong and thriving democracy

Why This MattersCalifornia has the nation’s highest proportion of households (43%) who speak a language other than English at home. Approximately 3.2 million eligible California voters—one in eight voters—are limite…

Large audience seated at round tables in a conference hall, listening to speakers on stage at the Berkeley Public Policy Annual Conference and Alumni Gathering 2023.

Strengthening Democracy with Data

September 29, 2025 | by

How a New Initiative at UC Berkeley Is Using Research to Help Drive Engagement, Equity

A Q&A with Jake Grumbach, Associate Professor at the Goldman School of Public Policy

In 2024, UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy launched a new initiative focused on strengthening democracy policy in California and nationwide through research, teaching, and collaboration with practitioner…

Community member at a We Are California event

Reclaiming Civic Life: The Story of We Are California

June 16, 2025 | by

A New Democracy Coalition to Meet the Moment

We Are California emerged in the aftermath of the 2024 election to help foster greater coordination, deeper organizing, and a shared space for strategy and action.

Across our communities, more and more people are feeling disconnected from politics and uncertain whether democracy can still deliver meaningful change. Many have lost faith in the government’s ability to improve th…

Latino voters photographed at the ballot box

Latino Voters in Focus: From Misconceptions to Mobilization

May 13, 2025 | by

A Conversation with Julián Castro

We spoke with the Latino Community Foundation CEO about prominent misconceptions of the Latino community, as well as what it will take to ensure that Latinos can fully participate in U.S. democracy.

Latinos make up 30% of eligible voters in California and almost 15% nationally. It’s no wonder Julián Castro, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation (LCF), says “America’s destiny and the destiny of Latinos are inte…

Young woman seen registering to vote at the door of her home

Giving More People A Voice in Orange County

March 12, 2025 | by

A Look at Two Civic Engagement Initiatives in the Region

The steadily growing and diverse California county is becoming a model for innovative solutions to expand voting and civic participation.

Voter turnout in the 2024 election was down, particularly among young people and voters of color. In California, the overall turnout of eligible voters during the general election dropped by nearly 11 percentage poi…

Coming Together for Sustained Investments in Black Communities

February 24, 2025 | by

A Conversation with Marc Philpart of the California Black Freedom Fund

The California Black Freedom Fund marks its fifth anniversary this year with bold plans for the future.

The California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF) was founded in 2020 in the wake of George Floyd’s murder to build and sustain the power of organizations serving the Black community across California. CBFF has provided more…

An elderly Latino couple holding up American flags

Celebrating Latino Heritage Through Greater Participation and Representation

October 10, 2024 | by

Latinos Currently Account for 40% of California Residents

Building a more inclusive, equitable, and just democracy requires focusing on California's diverse Latino population.

Latino Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate Latino history and culture in California. Latinos are the largest ethnic group in our state, accounting for 40% of residents. Latinos have contributed enormou…

Group photo of Million Voters Project coalition and community members

A Shared Vision for Building Community Voice

September 23, 2024 | by

The Million Voters Project Unites Nine Diverse California Organizing Networks

A conversation with Amado Uno, Director of MVP, on the work to mobilize underrepresented populations to vote and have a say on pivotal issues.

“All in for all of us.” That’s the tagline for a broad-based coalition of groups that are working together to make sure California voters are more representative of the unrivaled diversity of the state. At a t…