The Budget Center communications team chatted with Katherine Robles-Ayala (she/her), Development Director.
This Q&A series is your chance to get to know our team, their areas of expertise, and how their work at the Budget Center supports policy change in California. In this conversation, we’ll explore Katherine’s recent efforts to build connections across multiple groups of people to maximize support for Californians with low incomes, communities of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ Californians through the Budget Center’s progressive policy recommendations and partnerships.
This interview was edited by Kat Petsalis, Communications Strategist at the Budget Center.
Can you tell us about your role at the Budget Center?
Sure! I’m the Development Director at the Budget Center, where I focus on ensuring the organization has the resources it needs to operate effectively. My role involves strategic fundraising based on the organization’s activities from various teams, including supporting the work that the analyst team and others do. I advocate externally to secure necessary resources and collaborate with our Executive Director, Chris, to shape the continued growth of the organization.
More specifically, I focus on both institutional and individual fundraising, maintaining relationships with foundations, and reaching out to individuals to inspire them to support us financially. As I manage our development strategy, I aim to build an approach rooted in public policy, community-centric values, and anti-racist principles, moving away from traditional philanthropic models influenced by a history of white supremacy and inequitable distribution of wealth.
How does your role interconnect with the work the Budget Center does at large?
and strategist. I build connections with foundations to ensure they achieve their goals through our work while identifying and prioritizing short- and long-term funding opportunities to support our own goals and growth.
Internally, I jokingly refer to myself as the “nosiest” person at the Budget Center because I need to be aware of all the moving pieces within the organization. This awareness helps me build connections, understand the different phases of projects, and nurture relationships effectively. Essentially, our role interconnects with everything, ensuring we’re well-informed to advocate for the Budget Center’s mission.
What led you to a career in development?
My background is actually in music and the arts, which might seem unrelated to fundraising at first. However, I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and bringing people together through compelling narratives. As a performer, I loved using music to build empathy and connect with audiences.
I found my way in development through an arts administration role at an arts education nonprofit. Coming from a low-income family, I wanted other youth from similar backgrounds to have the opportunity to explore the arts. In that role, I realized development was largely about storytelling, connecting people, and fostering empathy — all with the aim to build a bridge between mission and passion.
What inspired your interest in development within the public policy sphere?
My interest in development, particularly in the nonprofit sector, stems from its often taboo nature and the powerful human emotions attached to money. Money is deeply connected to people’s livelihoods and well-being, making it a very personal and integral part of one’s life, which is why I was drawn to this field. With this in mind, I like to challenge myself to view money differently, inspired by Edgar Villanueva’s book, Decolonizing Wealth, where he describes money as medicine, or a neutral resource that can be used for good or bad. This perspective motivates me to use money as a tool to support the longevity and well-being of organizations working to build power for people often left out of support through other means.
Additionally, nonprofit development and philanthropy have a problematic history rooted in white supremacy, where wealth was withheld from marginalized communities and redistributed for tax benefits for the ultra wealthy. As a person of color from a low-income, immigrant background, I felt compelled to enter the belly of the beast to increase representation in this space and to drive change.
My shift toward the public policy sphere was influenced by the events of the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial reckoning that highlighted the disparities faced by marginalized communities. During this time, I saw nonprofits step up to provide much-needed aid to communities left out of government relief efforts. I witnessed the immediate impact of direct cash assistance grants to those left out, but I also saw the need for long-term solutions only attainable through public policies, like the ones the Budget Center supports. This inspired me to focus on public policy to advocate for sustainable and long-term improvements in people’s lives, especially those often forgotten about or negatively impacted by state budget priorities — the people that the Budget Center works for.
What is something exciting you have recently worked on or are currently working on?
I’m really excited about collaborating with our Communications Director, Mauricio, to plan a campaign next year to celebrate the Budget Center’s 30th anniversary. Many people might not realize that we’re turning 30 in 2025, and I want to spread the word and celebrate all the achievements we’ve made over the years. This anniversary is a perfect opportunity to reflect on our successes and think about our future direction, especially with upcoming elections and budget considerations in California. I’m eager to amplify the Budget Center’s achievements and ensure we continue making a difference in California’s future.
What’s one thing you can’t get through the workday without?
My dogs, Yeti and Nessie, are an essential part of my workday. When I’m working from home, I need to pet them a few times a day, especially Yeti, who loves reassurance and enjoys sitting next to me while I work. Their presence is a comforting and uplifting part of my routine.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Lately, I’ve really enjoyed spending time in my yard since we moved. We’ve built a garden with five different peppers, including arbol, jalapeños, serranos, tabasco, and güeros. After work, when it’s cooler, I like to go outside to water the plants. Meanwhile, Yeti and Nessie have a great time chasing each other and wrestling in the open field. It’s a relaxing way to unwind and enjoy the outdoors.
