The Fresno DRIVE Initiative is a 10-year investment plan to develop an inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable economy for residents in the Greater Fresno Region.
The Fresno DRIVE coalition is advocating for $4.2B of new investment over the next decade through the 14 major initiatives in the three investment areas listed below. The initial DRIVE investment plan was crowd-sourced with input from a 300-person Steering Committee representing over 150 civic, business, and community organizations and is led by a 38-member Executive Committee representing education; economic, community and workforce development; business; and grassroots and community leadership.
Foundation’s Role
The Foundation serves as the backbone organization for Fresno DRIVE providing support for collaboration, strategic planning, fundraising, and evaluation of results.
Geographic Focus
Fresno’s urban core to a 5 county, regional workforce and economic development investment plan. The focus of each investment plan determines its geographic footprint.
Economic Development
Fresno-Merced ‘Future of Food Innovation’ (F3) Initiative
LEAD PARTNERS:
- University of California, Merced
- California State University, Fresno
- Merced College
- University of California Ag and Natural Resources
- Cultiva La Sauld
- California Farmworker Foundation
- Community Alliance with Family Farmers
- Fresno Metro Ministry
Betting Big on Small Businesses Owned by Women and People of Color
LEAD PARTNERS:
- Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce
- Access Plus Capital
Fresno’s Impact Economy
LEAD PARTNERS:
- Fresno County Economic Development Corporation
Next Gen Aviation
LEAD PARTNERS:
- New Generation Aviation
Wealth Creation
LEAD PARTNERS:
- United Way Fresno and Madera Counties
- HOPE / Vision View
Human Capital
Upskilling
LEAD PARTNERS:
- Career Nexus
- Fresno Business Council
- San Joaquin Valley Manufacturers Alliance
Pre-Conception to Five
LEAD PARTNERS:
- Fresno County Cradle to Career
Intergrated Data
LEAD PARTNERS:
- Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
Fresno k-16 Collaborative
LEAD PARTNERS:
- California State University, Fresno Foundation
UC Merced / UCSF Fresno Medical School
LEAD PARTNERS:
- UC Merced, UCSF Fresno
Community Justice Network
LEAD PARTNERS:
- Community Justice Network
Neighborhood Development
Downtown 2.0
LEAD PARTNERS:
- Downtown Fresno Partnership and Foundation
- Fresno Arts Council
Fresno Opportunity Corridors
LEAD PARTNERS:
- Fresno Metro Ministry
Civic Infrastructure
LEAD PARTNERS:
- Every Neighborhood Partnership
- Fresno Building Healthy Communities
Permanent Affordable Housing
LEAD PARTNERS:
- Fresno Housing Authority
- Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability
Partners: Fresno DRIVE’s Executive Committee
- Estefania Avalos Chavez
Community Leader - Mary Avigliano
Community Leader - Sandra Celedon
Fresno Building Healthy Communities - Shantay Davies-Balch
Black Wellness & Prosperity Center - Lee Ann Eager
Fresno County Economic Development Corporation - Andrew Feil
Every Neighborhood Partnership - Lindsay Fox
United Way Fresno Madera Counties - Linda Gleason
Fresno County Cradle 2 Career Partnership - Dr. Carole Goldsmith
State Center Community College District - Fabiola Gonzalez
First 5 Fresno County - Tate Hill
Access Plus Capital - Priscella Herrera
Community Leader
- Nia Hodge
Another Level Training Academy - Jackie Holmes
Community Leader - Carlos Huerta
Center for Community Transformation, Fresno Pacific University - Dr. Saul Jimenez-Sandoval
Fresno State University - Tou Lee
Community Leader - Dr. Cassandra Little
Fresno Metro Black Chamber - Juana Iris Meza
Community Leader - Gwen Morris
Community Leader - Deb Nankivell
Fresno Business Council - Reza Nekumanesh
- Emilia Reyes
Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission - Gurminder Sangha
Fresno City College
- Tania Santiago-Greathouse
Community Leader - Lynisha Senegal
H.O.P.E. - Dorothy Thomas
Central Valley Community Bank - Rod Thornton
Central Valley Community Foundation - Sulvia Trujillo
Community Leader - Bernadine Tuisavalalo
Community Leader - Sarah Valentine
Community Leader - Benita Vasquez
Community Leader - Ashley Werner
Leadership Counsel for Justice & Accountability - Tyronne Williams
Fresno Housing - Marcel Woodruff
Community Justice Center - Susan Xiong
A Hopeful Encounter