California Community Foundation Awards $1,470,000 For Health Care, Arts, Education, Immigrant Integration, Civic Engagement, Housing And Economic Development In Los Angeles County

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Apr 03, 2014, 03:00 ET

LOS ANGELES, April 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California Community Foundation (CCF) awarded $1,470,000 in new 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 is the first of four grant dockets for the 2014 calendar year.

A total of 18 grants were announced, including nine new and nine renewal grants across a wide spectrum of areas and initiatives. In the health care area, grants will support improved access to quality, coordinated and sustainable health care. In the arts, grants to small and mid-size community-based organizations will help provide local, relevant and affordable arts services county-wide. Grants in the housing and economic development area support grassroots organizing groups, advocacy organizations and nonprofit developers to respond to opportunities and challenges facing Los Angeles' families and individuals in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

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

Civic Engagement: The goal is to foster social change through collective engagement and shared problem-solving. The grant for this initiative promotes civic participation in the Local Control Funding Formula process.
Immigrant Integration: Grants in this area aim to increase the civic participation of immigrants as a way to enhance the region's policies toward immigrants and foster a vibrant and engaged community.
Los Angeles Scholars Investment Fund: This initiative provides scholarships and effective college preparation and completion services to increase the number of low-income students who graduate with post-secondary degrees.
Preparing Achievers for Tomorrow: This initiative is focused on improving the academic achievement, decision-making skills and self-esteem of low-income South Los Angeles/South Bay youth through music, sports and recreation.

"In collaboration with our donors and grantee partners, we are humbled by the responsibility to identify and develop collective solutions that serve Los Angeles County's communities in greatest need," said California Community Foundation President and CEO Antonia Hernández.

CCF also announced one-time, special Opportunity Fund grants to explore new opportunities and respond to time-sensitive and pressing needs in Los Angeles.

As part of its mission to serve Los Angeles County, CCF also convenes nonprofit leaders on issues of importance, operates a loan program for qualified nonprofits, and engages in advocacy work with nonprofits primarily focused on the most vulnerable members of the Los Angeles community.

California Community Foundation (CCF) unites the power of philanthropy with innovative strategies to create greater equity, opportunity and prosperity in Los Angeles County. We have served as a public, charitable organization since 1915, empowering donors to pursue their own personal passions and to collaborate with us in transforming Los Angeles. CCF stewards nearly $1.4 billion in total assets and manages more than 1,700 charitable foundations, funds and legacies. For more information, visit www.calfund.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/calfund.

CCF GRANTS BY FUNDING AREA

March 2014

PROGRAM AREAS	NUMBER OF GRANTS	AMOUNT
Arts
In support of small and mid-size community-based organizations to increase arts participation in underserved communities	3	$235,000
Health Care
To assist economically disadvantaged communities to improve access, navigate and utilize high-quality, affordable, coordinated and sustainable health care	4	$420,000
Housing & Economic Development
To increase opportunities for low-income residents to thrive in stable, vital communities	2	$200,000

INITIATIVES	NUMBER OF GRANTS	AMOUNT
Scholarships
To increase the number of low-income students who graduate with post-secondary degrees	2	$200,000
Civic Engagement
To foster social change through collective engagement and shared problem-solving	1	$40,000
Immigrant Integration
To increase the civic participation of immigrants in L.A. County in order to improve their quality of life	2	$75,000
Preparing Achievers for Tomorrow
To improve the academic achievement, decision-making skills and self-esteem of low-income South Los Angeles/South Bay youth through music, sports and recreation	1	$170,000

INITIATIVES	NUMBER OF GRANTS	AMOUNT
Opportunity Fund
One grant focused on showcasing a regional celebration of contemporary Islamic art and identity, with the goal of fostering dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims to build a greater understanding of global and political issues faced by Angelenos of Islamic heritage. Two grants in support of the encouragement of job growth and protection of small businesses near transit hubs.	3	$130,000
*Grand Total*	18	$1,470,000