Pass It Along La Day 2014 Launched To Inspire Local Charitable Giving

LOS ANGELES, April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The California Community Foundation (CCF) is proud to announce Pass It Along LA Day, an exciting online giving event that will inspire Angelenos to support a unique fund that helps individuals facing a moment of crisis. To encourage giving, CCF is making a donation of $250,000 to the Pass It Along Fund and is challenging Angelenos to help match this contribution. The Pass It Along Fund was established at CCF by anonymous donors in the true spirit of giving: to provide immediate financial assistance to people in critical need within 72 hours of their request, with no obligations except to "pass along" two acts of kindness.  Since 2000, Pass It Along has helped more than 1,300 individuals with grants totaling nearly $1.5 million, in partnership with a network of more than 40 nonprofits that provide case management and other services.

Pass It Along LA Day begins on at 12 a.m. Tuesday, May 6^th and ends at 12 a.m. on Wednesday May 7th, 2014.  Donors make contributions at www.passitalongla.org.

"For people who live on the edge of vulnerability, a moment of challenge can set off a dramatic life change in the wrong direction," said Antonia Hernández, President and CEO of The California Community Foundation. "The donor's vision for the Pass It Along Fund is simple yet remarkable as the fund immediately and directly addresses these challenges, seeking only kindness in return."  

The network of 40 non-profits grantees that carry out the Pass It Along program in the community range from homeless shelters, family counseling services, senior centers to clinics. Everyday these non-profit groups see the incredible difference the Pass It Along Fund makes to people's lives.

"The Pass It Along Fund helps avoid crisis by encouraging success," Hernández said.

Pass It Along LA Day is part of the "Give Local America" movement to reignite the spirit of giving across the country and support causes in the communities in which we live, work and play.  This year's effort celebrates 100 years of local philanthropy thorough the work of community foundations.

Hundreds of people in Los Angeles County receive and give back through the Pass It Along Fund. Examples include:

• A family that escaped an abusive father with no money and nowhere to go. A gift of $4,300 from the Pass It Along Fund turned their lives around in just 72 hours, when the mother was able to pay the security deposit and first and last month's rent for a new apartment. She "passed along" the kindness by embroidering tablecloths and linens for neighbors.
• A mother with a newborn who made ends meet through housekeeping jobs did not have enough money to buy a crib. The Pass It Along Fund gave her baby a safe place to sleep. The mother "passes along" her gratitude by volunteering at a preschool.
• A disabled senior whose purse was stolen including her rent money, leading to an eviction notice.  A grant from the Pass It Along Fund eliminated the threat of homelessness. Today, the grateful senior "passes along" acts of kindness by stepping in to provide care for her family members including her elderly mother.

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.

Contact: Valarie De La Garza 
Phone: (213) 413-4130 ext. 229
E-mail: [email protected] 

SOURCE California Community Foundation