The Los Angeles-based Weingart Foundation announced more than $1 million in rapid-response grants Wednesday to support voting rights and civic participation.
The grants totaled $1.015 million and bring the foundation’s investments in civic engagement to $16.4 million over the past two years, according to the foundation.
The grants support organizations involved in election defense, voter engagement and pro-democracy organizing, including efforts aimed at protecting Black, Indigenous and people of color, immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities.
The foundation said a third of the grants will support voter protection strategies in Orange County and the Inland Empire.
Recipients include Love Powers LA, the California Election Protection Coalition, Latino Health Access and Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement.
“At Weingart, we know that democracy is strongest when everyday people are organized, informed, and able to freely participate,” Weingart Foundation President and CEO Joanna S. Jackson said. “This additional funding is a direct response to what our community partners on the ground are telling us they need right now.”
The foundation said many of its Free and Fair Elections grantees are implementing local efforts through We Are California’s Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop California campaign, which focuses on safeguarding voting rights.
Founded in 1951, the Weingart Foundation is a private grantmaking organization that supports nonprofit groups working to advance racial, social and economic justice across Southern California.