Newsom gives phones with his personal number to tech CEOs, funded by closely tied nonprofit

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been taking a unique approach to connecting with business leaders in the state by sending out cell phones pre-programmed with his personal number. The initiative, funded by a closely-tied nonprofit called the California State Protocol Foundation, aims to facilitate direct communication between the governor and CEOs of California companies.

According to Newsom’s spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, the feedback from this unconventional outreach strategy has been positive, leading to valuable interactions with business leaders. However, despite the innovative approach, the state’s public disclosure rules still apply. Both the nonprofit and Newsom must comply with the rules for making public records available upon request regarding correspondence on the phones.

The California State Protocol Foundation, formed in 2002 during former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration, is primarily funded by businesses and private donations. The foundation has three board members, two of whom are former Newsom staffers. It has previously funded governors on business trips, including Newsom’s international visits to El Salvador in 2019 and to Israel and China in 2023.

However, Charity Navigator, a charity watchdog group, gives the foundation a poor rating citing issues such as the lack of a website, a high liabilities-to-assets ratio, no financial statements, and no known whistleblower or document retention and destruction policies on record.

The foundation’s principal officer, Steve Kawa, is a seasoned Democratic strategist who previously worked in the governor’s office during Newsom’s tenure as mayor of San Francisco. Other board members include Jim DeBoo, a Democratic strategist, and Matina Kolokotronis, the chief operating officer for the Sacramento Kings NBA team.

This initiative comes at a time when California has been criticized for its high cost of doing business, leading to several prominent companies relocating their headquarters to more business-friendly states like Texas. Newsom’s effort to establish a direct line of communication with business leaders aims to address these concerns and foster a more collaborative relationship between the government and the private sector.

While attempts to reach the California State Protocol Foundation for comment were unsuccessful, the governor’s unconventional approach to business outreach demonstrates a commitment to engaging with the business community in a more direct and personal manner.

This article was written by Jamie Joseph, a U.S. Politics reporter for Fox News Digital, covering transgender and cultural issues, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, and stateside legislative developments.