California Community Foundation Awards $3.5 Million For Arts, Civic Engagement, Education, Health Care, Housing, Transition-Aged Youth And Disaster Preparedness In L.A. County

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Dec 17, 2013, 11:00 ET

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California Community Foundation (CCF) finished off 2013 with the announcement of $3,512,600 in grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Los Angeles County. CCF supports programs and initiatives that address the strategic and wide-ranging needs of Los Angeles' most underserved and vulnerable residents through discretionary funds entrusted to the foundation by generations of donors. This new round of grants contributes to more than $18 million in discretionary grants awarded by CCF in the 2013 calendar year.

A total of nearly 35 grants were awarded, including 12 new and 23 renewal grants across a wide array of program areas and initiatives. These grants will provide arts services and opportunities, school readiness, expanded parent engagement and professional development for teachers, as well as improved access to quality, coordinated and sustainable health care. Grants in the housing and economic development area support an increase in opportunities for low-income residents to thrive in stable, vital communities. Transition-aged youth grants provide support for the basic needs of youth who have aged-out of either the child welfare or delinquency systems.

Grants were also awarded in support of key CCF initiatives including:

The Los Angeles Scholars Investment Fund, a $12 million partnership with the College Access Foundation of California which provides scholarships and college preparation services focused on changing the future for thousands of low-income Angelenos by getting them to and through college.
The El Monte Community Building Initiative. A ten year, $10 million initiative is to ensure El Monte adolescents grow up healthier and better prepared for school, college and a career.
Immigrant Integration. Grant funds for this effort will support improvement in civic participation of immigrants to enhance their quality of life.
Los Angeles Preschool Advocacy Initiative. The initiative seeks to raise public awareness and support for quality early care and preschool education.
Nonprofit Sustainability. Grant funds will aid technical assistance to improve access to working capital, support strategic restructuring and ensure that culturally appropriate capacity-building services are available to nonprofit organizations.
Southeast Los Angeles Civic Leadership Academy. Grant funds will support building leadership capacity and civic participation of emerging community leaders in the predominantly immigrant cities of Bell, Cudahy, Bell Gardens, Huntington Park, Lynwood, Maywood, South Gate and the unincorporated area of Walnut Park.

"The unmet needs of Los Angeles County's most underserved provide a roadmap for our service to the community," said California Community Foundation CEO Antonia Hernández. "For nearly a century, CCF has served as a unique resource for charitable giving because our commitment to facilitating positive social change is driven by the passions and legacies of our donors."

CCF also convenes nonprofit leaders on issues of importance, has a loan program for qualified nonprofits, and engages in advocacy work with nonprofits primarily focused on the needs of the most vulnerable members of the Los Angeles community.

California Community Foundation (CCF) is a public, charitable organization serving Los Angeles County in multiple capacities since 1915. It encourages philanthropy by individuals, families, companies and organizations, and serves as a steward of their charitable funds and legacies. It makes grants to and collaborates with nonprofits to address needs in their communities, with emphasis on the most vulnerable individuals and families. It convenes and engages with private, public and nonprofit sector partners in community problem solving and advocacy work. For more information, visit www.calfund.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/calfund.

CCF GRANTS BY FUNDING AREA
December 2013

Program Areas	No. of Grants	Amount
Arts
In support of small and mid-size community-based organizations to increase arts participation in underserved communities	5	$270,000
Education
Expansion of parent engagement, school readiness and teacher development	4	$435,000
Health Care
To assist economically disadvantaged communities improve access, navigate and utilize high-quality, affordable, coordinated and sustainable health care	5	$560,000
Housing & Economic Development
To increase opportunities for low-income residents to thrive in stable, vital communities	2		$200,000
Transition Aged Youth
In support of adults with developmental disabilities and other vulnerable populations in meeting their basic needs	1	$100,000
Initiatives	No. of Grants	Amount
El Monte Community Building Initiative
To ensure that children and youth in El Monte grow up healthier and better prepared for school, college and a career	1	$511,000
Immigrant Integration
To Increase the civic participation of immigrants in L.A. County to improve their quality of life	2	$180,000
L.A. Preschool Advocacy Initiative (LAPAI)
To raise public awareness and support for quality early care and preschool education	3	$105,000
Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative
To support nonprofits to optimize their capacity and infrastructure	1	$250,000
Southeast Los Angeles Civic Leadership Academy
To support building leadership capacity and civic participation of emerging community leaders in the predominantly immigrant cities	1	$144,600
Scholarships
Discretionary Scholarships
To provide students with scholarships and wraparound services so they can complete degrees and certificate programs	9	$657,000
Other
Disaster Preparedness
To aid preparedness efforts in anticipation of a major natural life-threatening disasters	1	$100,000
*Grand Total*	35	$3,512,600