THE URSA INSTITUTE

The Ursa Institute is a San Francisco–based 501(c)(3) public charity (incorporated 1975) that conducts research, education, technical assistance, and advocacy to prevent and reduce tobacco use. The organization focuses on policy, systems, and environment change and community-level capacity building, especially within African American/Black communities. The Ursa Institute manages AMPLIFY!, the African American Statewide Coordinating Center, providing culturally tailored technical assistance, leadership development, and community engagement to support California Tobacco Control Program (CTCP)–funded projects and local advocacy. In recent years the organization has been an active partner in statewide efforts addressing flavored tobacco/menthol policy, cessation access, and community-based prevention initiatives. In the last 2–3 years The Ursa Institute maintained active grant-funded programming and public reporting (recent Form 990 filings), expanded statewide outreach through AMPLIFY!, and continued to provide training and policy support to community partners working to reduce tobacco-related disparities.