Eva Longoria Just Announced a $1 Million Investment to Prove the Real Value of Latina Entrepreneurs

At Inc. Founders House Los Angeles, the actress and entrepreneur announced a partnership with UCLA.

BY AMAYA NICHOLE, NEWS WRITER

Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images for Inc.

The Eva Longoria Foundation announced a $1 million investment in UCLA’s Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) to support long-term, data-driven solutions that integrate leadership development and narrative change within Latino communities.

“This grant is going to fund a lot of the economic research and policy work for Latina entrepreneurs, because we need to know what our economic power is,” Longoria said at the Inc. Founders House Los Angeles.

Through this partnership, the foundation will fund a three-year initiative aimed at advancing Latina economic mobility by generating data on Latina entrepreneurs, workers, and the barriers they face to building wealth, while also training leaders and shifting public understanding of Latina economic power.

Additionally, LPPI plans to establish a Latina Entrepreneurship Advisory Group and host Policy Pláticas to connect research with community leaders and decision-makers, while also supporting the next generation through fellowships, mentorship, graduate research opportunities, and communications training.

EE Dreams Don’t Pay the Rent: What Panera’s Founder Taught Johnny’s Pork Roll

Longoria is an actress, producer, and entrepreneur best known for her breakout role on Desperate Housewives. She’s become a prominent advocate for the Latino community and was among Inc.’s 2023 Female Founders honorees.

In 2012, she founded the Eva Longoria Foundation to support innovative solutions that accelerate economic opportunity, civic participation, and cultural influence for Latinas. Its work spans expanding access to careers, creating pathways in the entertainment industry, and building a world where Latinas are equitably represented both on and off screen. 

While its programs are tailored specifically for Latina women, the foundation believes that empowering them creates a ripple effect that benefits their families and broader communities.

© Inc.com