Search Through Diversity Grants for Nonprofits in Los Angeles County in the U.S.

Making community possible

At U.S. Bank, we are dedicated to supporting our communities through responsive and humbled actions focused on addressing racial and economic inequities and creating lasting change in our communities. Through our Community Possible Grant Program, we are partnering with organizations that focus on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing and communities connected through arts and culture.

The U.S. Bank Foundation is committed to making Community Possible through Work, Home and Play. We advance this work through collaborative grant making to bring equitable and lasting change through our focus on sustainable, high-impact funding with 501c3 nonprofit partners.

How we partner with nonprofits

We focus on collaborative grantmaking and sustainable, high-impact funding with 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners. We partner with organizations that support:

• Economic and workforce advancement
• Safe and affordable housing
• Community arts and culture

Our strategy

Our community affairs and foundation team work closely with U.S. Bank regional leadership, business resource groups and our National Community Advisory Committee to ensure that prevailing needs are addressed in all the communities we serve.

To make the most meaningful impact, we prioritize organizations that:

• Focus on economic development issues related to work, home and play
• Address more than one of the grant pillars (work, home and play)
• Are based in and serve designated U.S. Bank communities
• Advance diversity, equity and inclusion

Charitable Contributions

Costco Wholesale’s primary charitable efforts specifically focus on programs supporting children, education, and health and human services in the communities where we do business. Throughout the year we receive a large number of requests from nonprofit organizations striving to make a positive impact, and we are thankful to be able to provide support to a variety of organizations and causes. While we would like to respond favorably to all requests, understandably, the needs are far greater than our allocated resources and we are unable to accommodate them all.

Warehouse Donations:

Warehouse donations are handled at the warehouse level - please consult your local warehouse for up-to-date information regarding their donations contacts and review process.

Grant Applications

If the request is under consideration, you may be contacted by staff for any additional information needed. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, and decisions are made based on several factors, including: type of program; identified community need not otherwise available; indication that evidenced based data will establish measurable results of intended outcomes; community collaboration; broad base of financial support; project budget and operating expenses.

Community Grants

State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We are committed to auto and home safety programs and activities that help people manage the risks of everyday life.
• We invest in education, economic empowerment and community development projects, programs and services that help people realize their dreams.
• We help maintain the vibrancy of our communities by assisting nonprofits that support community revitalization.

Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants focus on safety, community development and education.

Focus Areas

Safety Grants

We strive to keep our customers and communities safe. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Auto safety — improving driver, passenger, vehicle or roadway safety
• Home safety — shielding homes from fires, crime or natural disasters
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation
• Disaster recovery

Community Development

We support nonprofits that invest and develop stronger neighborhoods. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Affordable housing — home construction and repair
• Commercial/small business development
• Job training
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Financial literacy
• Sustainable housing and transportation
• Food insecurity

Education

Our education funding is directed toward initiatives that support the following programs:

• Higher education
• K-12 academic performance
• K-12 STEM
• Pathways for college and career success

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation

We believe every person deserves equitable care and education.

In 2020 Labcorp established a private charitable 501(c)(3) foundation to advance our desire to bring quality healthcare access to all by supporting education and our local communities. 

Common grant opportunities include:

• Supporting food pantries and meal programs
• Providing healthcare and patient services for underserved populations
• Encouraging STEM programming
• Advocating for healthy lifestyles through ongoing medical research and screening

The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation strives to support and facilitate the work of the region's best nonprofit organizations, recognizing that many of those in need today will go on to shape the future of Southern California, to define it, redefine it, and help it set and achieve new goals.

Los Angeles County is one of the most exciting, dynamic, quickly evolving and challenging environments in the United States. In our diversity — racial, ethnic, cultural and economic — Greater Los Angeles presents extraordinary challenges and opportunities for the nonprofit community.

We are a responsive grantmaker.

Program Areas:

As a responsive grantmaker, we invite organizations serving Los Angeles County to come to us for what they need to do their best work. More than half of our grantmaking is for general support; organizations also come to us for funds to renovate or purchase buildings and equipment, specific programs, and staff positions. Funding is prioritized across four program areas:

Civic & Cultural

Grantmaking in this area values enriching cultural experiences and active civic engagement as essential ingredients for a healthy society. We support organizations and institutions that contribute to Los Angeles’ cultural and civic vibrancy, including performing arts organizations, museums, botanical gardens, arts education programs, and those that promote civic engagement and leadership.

Education

Our Education grantmaking underscores the importance of access to quality learning opportunities for all, with a special focus on underserved populations. Our grantees reflect the full continuum of learning from “cradle to career,” and include organizations that support early care and education, K-12 education, charter schools, academic enrichment, college access and persistence, higher education, and vocational training.

Health

The Foundation’s work in this area is rooted in our belief that all the residents of Los Angeles County need access to essential health services that offer a greater quality of life. We invest in organizations that promote health and well-being among vulnerable populations, placing an emphasis on community clinics, mental health providers, prevention services, emergency and trauma centers, and improvements to health care facilities.

Human Services

Our work in Human Services reflects our commitment to improving the lives of Los Angeles’ most vulnerable community members, including low-income children, families, foster youth, seniors, the working poor, and homeless populations. We fund a broad range of services and programs, including child welfare, youth development, supportive services, and basic needs.

Shaping a stronger future for Southern California where all people can thrive

Our mission is to help create healthy, equitable, and vibrant communities throughout Southern California by supporting the nonprofits and institutions that have the greatest impact on critical areas of need.

Our Focus

We Are a Responsive Grantmaker

The Rose Hills Foundation provides grants to the most impactful organizations whose work supports underserved communities across Los Angeles County. We endeavor to be responsive to the region’s ongoing needs.

Education

The Foundation is committed to helping organizations that are working to expand access to educational opportunities and ensuring schools have the resources needed to prepare students to thrive in school, work, and life.

Arts, Culture & Community

The Foundation supports a variety of organizations working to ensure access for all to artistic, cultural, and community-based programs. We recognize that many artistic and cultural institutions serve as anchors in our region and support their efforts to enrich and enhance quality of life for generations to come.

At-Risk Youth & Families

The Foundation gives to a wide range of nonprofits working to support our community’s at-risk youth and families. We believe it is vital to help these organizations which are building stronger, healthier neighborhoods and communities across the region.

Human Services

The Foundation supports nonprofits working to uplift those who suffer from poverty, hunger, unemployment, and lack of healthcare to help meet the basic needs of residents within our region.

Please refer to FAQ for additional guidelines.

Mission

Driven by a philanthropic calling to support marginalized communities throughout the world, the Semnani Family Foundation partners with on-the-ground organizations and leverages its resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner that delivers the maximum benefit.

History

Guided by his grandmother Maliheh’s example and teachings, Khosrow Semnani and his wife Ghazaleh established the Semnani Family Foundation in 1993. The foundation’s first grant was issued through CARE International to an orphanage in Romania that cared for newborns affected by HIV. Over the last few decades, the foundation has continued to build upon its mission to empower the disaffected, partnering with a variety of organizations in different countries who can make the greatest impact.

In addition to its global influence, the Semnani Family Foundation established roots within the state of Utah with the founding of Maliheh Free Clinic in 2005 to provide free healthcare to thousands of uninsured people in the Salt Lake City area.

Where We Work

The Semnani Family Foundation focuses primarily on promoting health, education, and disaster relief for marginalized communities all around the world. Driven by a clear mission to adapt and serve at the global level, we have leveraged our resources to make a meaningful impact in the following countries so far:

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia
• Colombia
• England
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• India
• Iran
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Romania
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Uganda
• United States
• Yemen

At the heart of the Foundation lies a fervent commitment to human welfare, always prioritizing health and the needs of society’s most vulnerable.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust is devoted solely to the funding of charitable, scientific, medical and educational organizations.

The Board endeavors to support soundly-managed charitable organizations that give service with a broad scope, have a substantial effect on their target populations, and contribute materially to the general welfare. The Board does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation or religion.

We have strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country that are working to advance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities. Our focus areas include basic needs like food and housing, workforce development and education, and community development. In addition to our philanthropic investments, we also encourage our employees to make a difference by offering robust employee giving and volunteering programs, including the opportunity to direct funds to organizations they support through volunteer efforts, and a matching gifts program that doubles their individual giving to causes they care about. Last year, we invested $350 million in the communities we serve, and employees contributed more than 1 million volunteer hours and directed $65 million through individual giving and matching gifts to support nonprofits.Through our regional U.S. sponsorships, we support the economic, social and cultural life of the places we live and work. We provide an extensive program of arts and sports sponsorships to help maintain vibrant, healthy communities.Sponsorships supporting communitiesBank of America welcomes your sponsorship proposal for opportunities that make our communities a better place to live and work. We are particularly interested in providing support to address needs vital to the health of our communities through a focus on:

• preserving neighborhoods;
• educating the workforce for 21st century jobs;
• addressing critical needs such as hunger and emergency shelter;
• arts and culture;
• the environment; and
• diversity and inclusion programs.

Grants are made at the Foundation’s discretion based on our current funding strategies focused on housing, jobs and hunger. 

Our Mission

The Tony Robbins Foundation is a nonprofit organization created to empower individuals and organizations to make a significant difference in the quality of life of people often forgotten.

We’re dedicated to creating positive changes in the lives of youth, seniors, the hungry, homeless and the imprisoned population, all who need a boost envisioning a happier and deeply satisfying way of life. Our passionate staff, generous donors and caring group of international volunteers provide the vision, inspiration, and resources needed to empower these important members of our society.

Grants

Dedicated to meeting challenges within the global community, creating solutions and taking action, The Tony Robbins Foundation provides monetary donations to various organizations around the world. Funding requests are evaluated on an ongoing basis. We look for organizations that align with our mission to empower individuals and organizations to make a significant difference in the quality of life of those often forgotten.

Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation collaborate with a wide range of nonprofit organizations that align with our strategic funding priorities. We prioritize our funding to activities and programs that have a broad reach and support the needs of underserved communities. We aspire to have a positive impact on the communities we serve by using our financial and volunteer resources and business expertise in collaboration with community organizations to help solve complex societal problems.

• Financial health
• Housing affordability
• Small business growth
• Sustainability

We may also support other local needs in eligible communities such as disaster relief, arts and culture, civic engagement, education, human and social services, and workforce development. However, opportunities are limited as our intent is to direct the majority of our giving within our major focus areas.

Crail-Johnson Foundation Grant Making

The Crail-Johnson Foundation (“The Foundation”) has defined itself as a children’s charity, and the vast majority of grant-making is directed toward programs benefiting children, youth and families in the greater Los Angeles area. Proposals which are not relevant to the foundation’s mission and funding priorities will not be considered.

The Foundation provides financial support primarily through grants to public non-profit organizations that are exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code and are not a private foundation under Section 509(a). The Foundation provides grants for program/project support and general operating support. On occasion, the Foundation will consider grants to support capital projects as well as selected endowments. In addition, the Foundation provides technical assistance to selected community-based initiatives benefiting children and families.

Support is not granted for programs and projects benefiting religious purposes, university level education, research, events recognizing individuals or organizations, political causes or programs attempting to influence legislation. No grants are made directly to individuals.

In general, the Foundation does not consider multi-year grants. Grants are made to nonprofit organizations for one year, and grantees are eligible to reapply each year. However, in general, the Foundation does not provide grants for more than three consecutive years.

The Foundation’s funding supports organizations providing services and programs primarily in Los Angeles County Service Planning Areas (SPA) 4, 6, 7, and 8. The Foundation gives priority to the following target communities: San Pedro, Wilmington, Compton, Watts, Carson, Long Beach and South Los Angeles.

National organizations providing services in these areas are also considered. Occasionally, grants are made to programs and projects that are regional or national in scope.

Funding Priorities

The Crail-Johnson Foundation (Foundation) supports organizations providing services and programs primarily in Los Angeles County Service Planning Areas (SPA) 4, 6, 7, and 8. The Foundation gives priority to the following target communities: San Pedro, Wilmington, Compton, Watts, Carson, Long Beach and South Los Angeles.

The Foundation supports programs as a means to address the long-term well-being of children, youth and community. It is through the support of Education, Human Services and Health that the Foundation hopes to assist in providing children, youth and their families with the tools necessary to build a life of quality. Support is exclusively focused on programs that address the needs of economically, socially and physically disadvantaged children. The Foundation supports both proven approaches and innovative programs aimed at systemic change and provides support for new, continuing, or expanding programs. Programs and services may be school-based, school-linked, or other community-based places. Funding priority is currently given to initiating, continuing or expanding programs in the following areas:

Human Services

: Comprehensive efforts directed toward the prevention and treatment of family violence including community and educational outreach, counseling and shelter services.

: Efforts directed toward the collection and distribution of food to relieve hunger in our communities.

: Organizations providing assistance to homeless children, youth and/or their families which may include temporary, short-term and/or long-term housing, and may include programs to assist families with job skills, nutritional education, housing security, parenting skills, among others.

: Programs which serve to continue and improve foster care services, juvenile crime prevention and diversion, mentoring, camp activities, recreation and specific populations, in particular developmentally and physically challenged children and youth.

Education

Find the grant page for Education here. 

Health

Find the grant page for Health here. 

The Venable Foundation envisions that its philanthropic investments provide essential resources to nonprofit organizations in communities across the country. Guided by the belief that everyone has the right to equitable employment opportunities, healthcare, housing, food, and a vibrant cultural community, Venable grantees ensure that economically disadvantaged people are given the tools they need to thrive.

The average size of a Venable Foundation grant is approximately $10,000. First-time awardees are usually on the smaller end of the spectrum. It is up to the organization to determine what it feels is an appropriate request.

Funding Priorities

Grant support is provided to assist with general operations and projects. Currently, the Venable Foundation’s funding priorities include:

• Human Services
• Legal Services
• Education
• Workforce Development
• Youth Impact
• Health
• Environment
• Arts and Culture

You can learn more about each of these funding priorities below:

Human Services – The Foundation has a strong track record of supporting a breadth of essential human services, including programs that impact people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, incarcerated and returning citizens, LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, and those affected by domestic violence and housing insecurity.

Legal Services – We support the delivery of free or affordable legal services in our communities. Pro bono consulting and representation focus on a variety of issues, including domestic violence, housing, immigration, public benefits, and discrimination, among other areas. Legal service nonprofits providing “know your rights” training and other activities are also supported. The Foundation also supports training for youth and adults to ensure diversity and access to careers in the legal profession.

Education – The Foundation supports a wide array of early childhood, in-school, and out-of-school time initiatives that provide in-depth opportunities for learning and engagement to position children for success and level the playing field for economically disadvantaged youth.

Workforce Development – We believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to pursue gainful employment. Thus, we support organizations with the goal of developing the workforce of today and tomorrow. Successful programs recruit and train individuals and place them in relevant jobs so that they can earn a sustainable living wage for themselves and their families. Skill development is focused on low-income, underemployed, and unemployed community members, and on preparing youth for careers after their schooling is complete.

Youth Impact – The Foundation invests in services that impact children in each of our communities. These initiatives ensure economically disadvantaged youth are healthy and safe and have opportunities to thrive.

Health – The Foundation is committed to improving wellness and increasing access to care for economically disadvantaged individuals in the region. Successful organizations and programs work to eliminate barriers to healthcare for all ages and provide accessible and no-stigma testing for a variety of diseases. We support pediatric to geriatric services that address a variety of health concerns.

Environment – We support organizations involved in the preservation of our natural resources and those that are addressing natural or man-made disasters in our target regions. Programs educate communities and work for change on a variety of environmental issues, from wildfires to pollution.

Arts and Culture – The Foundation supports initiatives in the arts that promote deeper public engagement and build up the creative economy, with an emphasis on low-income and underserved communities.

Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI)

The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) was founded in 2001 as a California 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. Its mission is to support individuals in the arts—artists, culture bearers, and creative entrepreneurs—to realize greater self-determination so as to unfetter their productivity, free expression, and social impact, which contributes to shaping our collective national identity in ways that reflect the diversity of society.

LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund

The LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund (the “Fund”) is a pooled fund led by the J. Paul Getty Trust with support from a coalition of major arts organizations and philanthropists. The Fund responds to the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires that began on January 7, 2025, and the ensuing financial needs of individuals that have resulted from this federally recognized “qualified disaster.” The Fund is for the benefit of Los Angeles County’s artists and arts workers in all disciplines impacted by the unprecedented wildfire crisis. The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), a 501(c)(3) public charity and trusted intermediary focused on the economic security of people in the arts, is administering this Fund.

Individuals may apply only once for up to $10,000. Funds are unrestricted and can be used in any way that alleviates financial hardship. Moreover, as a federally qualified disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, financial support is not counted as taxable income. We encourage artists and arts workers who are of low incomes, of historically underserved populations, and those with disabilities to apply.

Our Mission

Our mission is to continue and further the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. and the Cowles family, which includes promotion of education, social justice, health, and the arts.

The Founder

The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy. 

The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research.

About the Foundation

Jesse W. Couch lived a life of zeal, honor, and dedication to the betterment of his community. The Couch family now humbly stewards the foundation he created to carry on his legacy of service for future generations. We believe that impact is best accomplished through partnerships with local organizations that know the people and communities they serve. We invest in and support efforts to protect the environment, further conservation and preservation initiatives, and save historical architecture that preserves community heritage. We also support initiatives that promote wellness and mental health and organizations seeking to provide and further education for all communities.

Annual Grant Focus

Each year, we seek to partner with and support non-profit organizations making an impact in the focus areas listed here.  The focus areas for 2025 are:

• Animal Wellbeing: We are dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations that nurture compassion and respect for all living animals. We must have animal-focused organizations that advocate for animal rights and provide humane treatment across all spectrums.
• Early Childhood Education: We are looking for schools that are providing young children with a creative and balanced approach to education. Things we love in early childhood curriculums:
  • Life Skills
  • Collaboration With Their Peers and Teachers   
  • Having Fun   
  • Montessori Teachings   
  • Project Based Teachings   
  • Diversity   
  • More Time Outside   
  • Less Screen Time
• Teachers: Teachers are essential to providing children with the best possible education. We must invest in their future and are always looking for teams that help them succeed in educating future generations.
• Get Outside: Being outside can improve memory, fight depression, lower blood pressure, and more! We support organizations that facilitate and encourage more outdoor activities that help create healthier communities. 

The Durfee Foundation is named in honor of Dorothy Durfee Avery who, with her husband, R. Stanton (Stan) Avery, established it in 1960. Since that time, the foundation has awarded more than $35 million in grants, primarily in the Los Angeles region.

New programs were launched such as Earthwatch (now Ignite LA) in 1989; Sabbatical in 1997; and Artists Resource for Completion (ARC) in 1999. The Durfee Foundation entered the new century with a commitment to supporting extraordinary people with a sharpened focus on Los Angeles County. The Stanton Fellowship (2005) launched to give exceptional leaders time to think deeply about big questions. Durfee’s Sabbatical program gained national attention and replication, and a joint report with four other foundations demonstrated the value of sabbaticals for nonprofit leaders. Another program, the Lark Awards, named in honor of the late Lark Galloway-Gilliam, was approved in 2021. Durfee celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2010, and the board expanded to include trustees outside of the family.

The Durfee Foundation invests in people and possibilities in Los Angeles County, where the foundation’s history lies and where funding needs are great.

• The Durfee Foundation believes that smart, innovative, passionate people are our most powerful force for progress. Everything we do is in service of supporting and connecting creative people who have fresh perspectives.
• At Durfee, we do not assume that the way things have been done in the past is the best way to operate now or in the future. We work hard to find and support innovative people who demonstrate a generative spark — the potential to think creatively, embrace change, take risks, and learn continuously.
• Building strong relationships is important to us. By encouraging collaboration, and working across sectors and neighborhoods, the Durfee Foundation strengthens the civic fabric of LA.

Sabbatical Grant

In an effort to replenish the stores of energy and inspiration for our community’s most treasured leaders, the Durfee Sabbatical program offers up to six organizations a total of $75,000 each.

Many leaders in the Los Angeles nonprofit sector work under conditions of unrelenting stress, often leading to burnout. The enormous demands of their jobs, combined with financial pressure, can prevent them from taking time off for much needed rejuvenation and reflection. Through the sabbatical, leaders recharge themselves while empowering leadership and strengthening leadership throughout the organization.

Since its founding in 1997, the Durfee Sabbatical program has awarded more than 100 sabbaticals to outstanding nonprofit leaders in Los Angeles. Sabbatical alumni also meet twice a year to engage in cross-disciplinary dialogue, and every two years for an overnight retreat. Each leader works with our consultant to prepare themselves and their organizations for the leave.

Furthermore, the award encourages leaders to share leadership and build the bench at their organizations. In the executive leader’s absence, interim leaders take on new responsibilities and as a result, the second tier of leadership is enhanced.

• The Durfee Foundation provides a grant of $60,000 for the purpose of supporting a three-month Sabbatical for nonprofit leaders. The Foundation also provides a Staff Support Fund in the amount of $15,000 to the organization to 1) reward interim leaders and/or 2) create or augment professional and well-being support to the staff.
• The Sabbatical is designed for the most senior leader of the organization, who reports directly to the board, and carries the ultimate responsibility for managing resources and implementing programs. The candidate should ultimately be responsible for the organization and the staff member with whom the buck stops.
• Fellows must begin their Sabbatical within one year of receiving the award. Most fellows leave for their Sabbaticals 9 to11 months after receiving the award, allowing ample time for the organization to prepare.

The goals of the program are:

• To recognize and reward accomplished nonprofit leaders with an extended break from their work for personal rejuvenation
• To advance the skills and capacity of staff at sabbatical organizations to create more sustainable leadership structures
• To encourage shared leadership across the staff
• To advocate for the investment in people as the sector’s most valuable asset to fulfill its mission
• To foster community and cross-disciplinary dialogue among nonprofit leaders in Los Angeles

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation focused on making grants to support environmental, human services and other causes.

The Lawrence Foundation was established in mid-2000. We make both program and operating grants and do not have any geographical restrictions on our grants. Nonprofit organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or other similar organizations are eligible for grants from The Lawrence Foundation.  

Grant Amount and Types

Grants typically range between $5,000 - $10,000. In some limited cases we may make larger grants, but that is typically after we have gotten to know your organization over a period of time. We also generally don’t make multi-year grants, although we may fund the same organization on a year by year basis over a period of years.

General operating or program/project grant requests within our areas of interests are accepted. In general, regardless of whether a grant request is for general operating or program/project expenses, all of our grants will be issued as unrestricted grants.

The Durfee Foundation is named in honor of Dorothy Durfee Avery who, with her husband, R. Stanton (Stan) Avery, established it in 1960. Since that time, the foundation has awarded more than $35 million in grants, primarily in the Los Angeles region.

New programs were launched such as Earthwatch (now Ignite LA) in 1989; Sabbatical in 1997; and Artists Resource for Completion (ARC) in 1999. The Durfee Foundation entered the new century with a commitment to supporting extraordinary people with a sharpened focus on Los Angeles County. The Stanton Fellowship (2005) launched to give exceptional leaders time to think deeply about big questions. Durfee’s Sabbatical program gained national attention and replication, and a joint report with four other foundations demonstrated the value of sabbaticals for nonprofit leaders. Durfee celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2010, and the board expanded to include trustees outside of the family.

The Durfee Foundation invests in people and possibilities in Los Angeles County, where the foundation’s history lies and where funding needs are great.

• The Durfee Foundation believes that smart, innovative, passionate people are our most powerful force for progress. Everything we do is in service of supporting and connecting creative people who have fresh perspectives.
• At Durfee, we do not assume that the way things have been done in the past is the best way to operate now or in the future. We work hard to find and support innovative people who demonstrate a generative spark — the potential to think creatively, embrace change, take risks, and learn continuously.
• Building strong relationships is important to us. By encouraging collaboration, and working across sectors and neighborhoods, the Durfee Foundation strengthens the civic fabric of LA.

Lark Awards

The Lark Awards, first approved in 2021, support the collective care and renewal of staff at small community-centered organizations with deep roots in their Los Angeles communities.

Nonprofit staff often sacrifice their own well-being for their communities and are caught in a cycle of burnout and recovery. Many come from historically marginalized communities with limited access to time off and rest. This program offers the time and resources to pause, think deeply about collective care, and reimagine a more sustainable and just future.

• The Lark Awards provide up to 15 nonprofit organizations with $30,000 each for the collective care of their staff. Each organization determines the best way to use and allocate the funds, such as staff-wide activities, individual uses, or both.
• The program also includes a wellness coach for guidance and facilitation, and access to convenings for wellbeing check-ins and continued support.
• In addition to restoring the energy and health of nonprofit teams, Durfee hopes to spark change in both nonprofit and philanthropic culture, to encourage more investment in the people who are making change.

The goals of the Lark Awards program are:

• To offer small budget, community-centered nonprofits the resources to support the collective care and well-being of their staff
• To recognize accomplished small nonprofit organizations, most often led by and working with historically marginalized communities, that are key community leaders
• To promote a culture of collective care and address burnout in the nonprofit sector

Levitt Music Series Grants - AMP

Levitt AMP is a multi-year matching grant opportunity bringing the joy of free, live music to small to mid-sized towns and cities.

Geared to towns and cities with populations under 250,000, Levitt AMP grantees reflect the three goals of the Levitt AMP program: Amplify community pride and a city’s unique character; enrich lives through the power of free, live Music; and illustrate the importance of inclusive and vibrant public Places. From rural Alaska to Appalachian Main Streets and Midwestern locales, the Levitt AMP Music Series is a catalytic opportunity engaging a wide range of towns and cities across America to realize a shared mission—building community through music to create a healthy and thriving future for all.

In addition to financial support, the Levitt Foundation provides grant recipients with valuable resources including best practices, program frameworks, toolkits, and trainings to deepen impact in their communities.

Launched in 2015, the Levitt Foundation has provided funding to more than 50 communities coast to coast through the Levitt AMP program, activating underused public spaces, ensuring access to the arts and strengthening the social fabric of communities through creative placemaking, bringing people together of all ages and backgrounds through free, outdoor concert series.

Special Music Series Grant - Tennessee-Based Nonprofits

The Levitt Foundation is thrilled to announce its partnership with the Tennessee Entertainment Commission to award up to six communities based in Tennessee with multi-year Levitt AMP matching grants, with support from the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. This project marks the Levitt Foundation’s first joint partnership with a specific state.

Through this partnership, the State and the Foundation together will be awarding matching grants of up to $40K per year to small to mid-sized cities throughout Tennessee in through the next 3 years. The funding will go toward presenting free outdoor concerts featuring high-caliber entertainment in a broad array of music genres, amplifying stages across the state with up to 180 free concerts for Tennesseans of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.

This partnership applies to the Levitt AMP grant opportunity only. There is no separate application process to be considered and interested Tennessee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits should proceed with completing their online application on the Levitt Foundation website. Levitt AMP grant applicants from Tennessee that advance to the public voting phase will be in the running with other Tennessee-based Levitt AMP grant applicants only. Nonprofits based in Tennessee that are interested in applying for the Levitt VIBE or Levitt BLOC grant opportunity may still submit an online application, though if advanced to the public voting phase will be in the running with applicants from across the country.

Funding

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible to receive a three-year matching grant of up to $40K/year (up to $120K total) to bring 7-10 free concerts to your community each year!

Levitt Music Series Grants - BLOC

Levitt BLOC is a multi-year matching grant opportunity that activates underused public spaces across multiple neighborhoods within a town or city through the joy of free, live music.

Geared to communities of any size, Levitt BLOC (Building Layers Of Community) activates different neighborhoods in a town or city by “layering” concerts across multiple public spaces, broadening the overall reach of the music series. Levitt BLOC fosters social cohesion and amplifies community pride by featuring a diverse lineup ranging from acclaimed, emerging talent to seasoned, award-winning artists on the local, regional, and national circuits, ensuring access to high-caliber performances throughout a community. Levitt BLOC launched as a two-year pilot program this past year with the Chattanooga-based nonprofit, RISE.

In addition to financial support, the Levitt Foundation provides grant recipients with valuable resources including best practices, program frameworks, toolkits, and trainings to deepen impact in their communities.

Funding

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible to receive a three-year matching grant of up to $40K/year (up to $120K total) to bring 7-10 free concerts to your community each year!

Levitt Music Series Grants - VIBE

Levitt VIBE is a multi-year matching grant opportunity that brings the joy of free, live music to public spaces in city neighborhoods where access to arts experiences may be limited.

Geared to large cities with a population over 250,000, Levitt VIBE (Vibrant Inclusive Beats for Everyone) brings the free outdoor concerts to neighborhoods where there is limited access to arts programming and live music. Each Levitt VIBE concert series features a diverse lineup of acclaimed, emerging talent to seasoned, award-winning artists on the local, regional, and national circuits, ensuring access to high-caliber performances for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Levitt VIBE Music Series create a community destination, connecting people to each other and inspiring neighborhood pride of place. Levitt VIBE was launched as a two-year pilot program this past year with three city neighborhoods: the Belmont Cragin neighborhood of Chicago; the Near Southside neighborhood of Indianapolis; and the East Oakland neighborhood of Oakland, California. 

In addition to financial support, the Levitt Foundation provides grant recipients with valuable resources including best practices, program frameworks, toolkits, and trainings to deepen impact in their communities.

Funding

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible to receive a three-year matching grant of up to $40K/year (up to $120K total) to bring 7-10 free concerts to your community each year!

Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.

Each year, the Mutual of America Foundation sponsors a national competition in which hundreds of organizations demonstrate the value of their partnership to the communities they serve, their ability to be replicated by others and their capacity to stimulate new approaches to addressing significant social issues.

Six organizations are selected by an independent committee to receive the Community Partnership Award.

• The Thomas J. Moran Award is given to the national award-winning program and includes $100,000 and a documentary video about the program.
• The Frances R. Hesselbein Award is given to a partnership that is addressing social challenges in more than one community, or which demonstrates the potential to be replicated in other communities. This recipient receives $75,000.
• Four other organizations are named Honorable Mention recipients for their programs, and each receives $50,000.

Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 262 partnerships from cities and towns across America. Like so many of our clients working in the nonprofit community, Mutual of America is dedicated to having a direct, positive impact on society.

Gupta Family Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, USA. Our mission is to support organizations that provide focused intervention in the lives of people who have been disadvantaged in some way to help them become self-reliant. We take a very broad view of “disadvantage” to include anything that holds a person back from realizing their potential, such as poverty, physical or mental disability, social alienation, etc. The foundation also supports relief agencies that serve people affected by emergencies such as natural disasters.

The foundation evaluates and awards annual and multi-year grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000 (USD). Our focus is on funding smaller organizations all around the world that are led by individuals with a deep personal commitment to their missions. 

Our selection criteria include:

• Mission alignment
• The organization is run by the founder or, if not, by a successor who embodies the original inspiration, passion and commitment of the founder.
• At least 90% of grant monies reaches the intended beneficiaries.
• The organization is non-sectarian, i.e.,
  • It does not, directly or indirectly, support or condone the proselytization of any religion,
  • It is not supported by or affiliated to a religious organization.

The Community Impact Arts Grant 

The CIAG program provides financial support for exemplary arts projects and programs of municipal departments and nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is outside of the arts. CIAG recognizes the value of arts and culture as a vital tool for civic problem solving across a range of issue areas. The program seeks to support the complex arts ecology of Los Angeles County by increasing access and strengthening the quality of arts and culture programming wherever it happens and supporting our diverse communities – in health and wellness, human services, social and restorative justice, community and economic development, and environmental justice, and beyond. This grant is designed to promote arts cross-sector strategies and support organizations that provide high-quality arts and culture programs as part of their larger mission to provide services to individuals and the community at-large.

Applicants may request $5,000 – $20,000. Grant awards will likely be less than the amount requested. In this case, awarded applicants will have the opportunity to revise and resubmit an adjusted project budget that reflects any necessary changes.

CULTURAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVE (CEII)

In April 2017, the Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative, a set of 13 recommendations to increase DEI in the arts for all LA County residents with a focus on five key target areas: Boards of Directors, Staffing, Audience/Participants, Programming, and Artists/Creators. Read more about this public process and ongoing implementation of the 13 recommendations approved by the Board of Supervisors. Visit our toolkit for resources on the implementation of the second recommendation: inclusive language, policies and infrastructure to recruit and retain diverse staff and boards in LA County arts and culture organizations.

The Los Angeles County Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative vision and values are outlined below:

• Every individual participates in creative thinking and expression.
• Every individual has the right to engage in arts and culture that celebrate their highest potential.
• Our community’s diversity is an asset to our arts and cultural environment and our economy.
• Including communities through the arts and culture achieves our highest potential, by promoting mutual respect and understanding.

Organizational Grant Program

The Organizational Grant Program (OGP) provides Los Angeles County nonprofit arts organizations funding to address priority needs and ensures cultural services for the diverse communities that comprise LA County. These two-year grants support arts organizations whose services positively impact residents, neighborhoods and communities by providing direct access and increased opportunities for quality arts activities and programming that is often free or low cost.

Project Categories

OGP grants are two years in length. The program funds one or more specific events or activities, including operating activities that are described as having a purpose. See the OGP project category descriptions for examples of projects that are appropriate for each project category.

• A project may be a part of an applicant's regular season or activities.
  • Organizations that undertake a single short-term project in a year—a dance festival, for example—could apply for support for that event.
  • Alternatively, they could identify certain components of their operations, such as funds to secure rehearsal space, market projects, pay artists, and/or associated activities, as their project.
• Organizations may apply for any or all phases of a project, from its planning through its implementation.
  • Activities requested in year one, do not have to be the same as the activities that are requested in year two.
    • For example, an organization requesting support for an exhibition can request support for research and development activities in year one, and support for exhibition and outreach activities in year two.
• A project does not have to be a new activity. Existing projects can be just as competitive as new activities.
• Projects can be a combination of various types of activities.
• Projects do not need to serve large numbers of people. The Department of Arts and Culture welcomes small projects that can make a difference in a community or field.

Helping Build Better Futures

Our mission is to deliver great value to our customers every day. For over four decades, our deep commitment to the principles of providing value and caring for others has helped define our culture. It extends beyond the walls of our stores, distribution centers, and offices, and into our local communities around the world. The intersection of these principles defines our global community mission:

Deliver great value to our communities by helping vulnerable families and children access the resources and opportunities they need to build a better future.

Our Social Impact Areas

We bring our community relations mission to life around the world by focusing our giving on four social impact areas where we believe we can have the most impact and are critical to helping families and children succeed and thrive.

Basic Needs

We are passionate about supporting nonprofit organizations that help fill critical basic needs such as a warm meal, clean clothing, and a safe place to sleep for vulnerable families.

Education & Training

Our efforts have focused on quality enrichment and extracurricular programs that provide skills, resources, and opportunities to support school and career success for children, teens, and young adults.

Patient Care & Research

We support organizations that deliver services to families and children facing health challenges and life-threatening illnesses.

Empowering Women

We support programs that provide services ranging from help for those fleeing domestic violence, to others that offer education, training, and job placement resources.