In celebration of its 100th anniversary, the California Community Foundation is pledging $1 billion to Los Angeles County’s nonprofit organizations over the next decade.
“Our commitment to L.A. County is very strong,” said foundation president and chief executive Antonia Hernandez in comments published in the Los Angeles Times ahead of the organization’s 100th anniversary Town Hall Meeting in Los Angeles Thurday morning.
“For us, making that commitment of $1 billion over 10 years in a way gives a sense of stability and continuity and that we’re here for the long run to handle the difficult issues and challenges facing L.A. County.”
Nonprofit organizations must apply for the funds, which will be given out as grants, loans and scholarships. Applications will be reviewed by staff and the foundation’s 20-member board when it meets four times a year.
The foundation hopes to focus on early childhood education, low-income housing, community clinics and the arts, Hernandez said.
The town hall meeting is also expected to take up a USC Dornsife/California Community Foundation/Los Angeles Times poll published in The Times earlier this week. It found that L.A. County residents want to be involved in their communities but believe they don’t have enough time or knowledge to help.
Forty-nine percent of poll respondents said they were too busy or didn’t have enough time to be involved; 39 percent said they weren’t sure how to help.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley- Thomas are expected to join foundation officials this morning for the funding announcement and the town hall meeting, where improving life in the region will also be discussed.
—City News Service