Oakland receives $34 million gift from anonymous donor to benefit underserved residents

Source: Inside Bay Area

An anonymous donor wanted to give $34 million to benefit underserved residents in Oakland. And the donor wanted that money "in the streets" by the summer.

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"It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Blackwell said at a Tuesday news conference at the East Oakland Youth Development Center attended by dozens of community leaders in government and other nonprofit community groups. "We have never gotten a phone call like that in the past."

The money will be invested in jobs, housing, education and health care across Oakland, with a full $6 million to support Oakland's public schools on early childhood education, African-American student achievement and adding community coordinators.

About one-third of the funds are earmarked for nonprofits specifically focused on East Oakland. The foundation estimates 813 jobs will be created and 136 new affordable housing units built in those neighborhoods.

Read more: http://www.insidebayarea.com/breaking-news/ci_28483028/oakland-receives-34-million-gift-from-anonymous-donor