LA84 Foundation Named A Finalist For National Sports Award

LOS ANGELES, June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The LA84 Foundation, which continues to invest the proceeds from the 1984 Olympic Games, is a finalist for the Steve Patterson Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy, one of the most prestigious awards in the country for sports philanthropy. The honor is presented by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the nation's largest philanthropy dedicated solely to the public's health.

Following the legacy of renowned ASU coach Steve Patterson, the award recognizes individuals, organizations and teams in the sports community whose passionate efforts make a difference in the lives around them. As a finalist, the LA84 Foundation received the RJWF's Seal of Approval, a commendation for exceeding their national standards in sports philanthropy. The winner of the 2013 award will be announced on September 25^th at a ceremony in Princeton, New Jersey.

Endowed by surplus funds from the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles nearly 30 years ago, the LA84 Foundation has provided over $214 million in grants to youth sports programs located in communities in need across Southern California, reaching approximately 3 million youth. The private nonprofit institution also manages coaching education programs, which have served as a model for similar programs nationwide. Finally, it leads research and policy efforts advancing health and scholarship through sports.

"We are honored to be a finalist for the Steve Patterson Award and to help shine a spotlight on the growing movement for excellent youth sports programs throughout Southern California," said LA84 Foundation President Anita L. DeFrantz. "It's a testament to the tireless efforts of the programs we support that make a real difference in the lives of thousands of children every day."

The finalist pool includes leading philanthropy programs in the realm of sports. In addition to the LA84 Foundation, finalists include the San Francisco 49ers, the Portland Timbers, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, the Tony Hawk Foundation, the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc. and USTA Serves, Inc.

"It's an incredible achievement for these finalists to be recognized for the outstanding philanthropic work they are doing in their respective communities to promote health and healthy living," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, RWJF President and CEO.  "All of the finalists are leaders in their communities and they have the power to make real and lasting change.  We celebrate the positive impact these organizations are making to help others and to promote a culture of health in the nation."

About LA84 Foundation

The LA84 Foundation was established to manage Southern California's share of the surplus from the successful 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.  The Foundation received $93 million at its inception.  Since it began operations in 1985, it has invested $214 million in sports programs serving more than 3 million youth in the eight Southern California counties of Los Angeles, Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura.  Its headquarters is the historic Britt House near downtown Los Angeles where it houses the world's premier sports library and meeting facilities.  The Foundation provides grants to youth sports organizations, manages programs, including a coaching education program, and convenes numerous forums for the exploration of the most pressing issues in sport. 

SOURCE LA84 Foundation