Port of Los Angeles awards $1.5M in community investment grants

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Thirty-seven local nonprofits are set to benefit from $1.5 million in funding under a Community Investment Grant Program for the 2023-24 fiscal year, Port of Los Angeles officials announced Thursday.

Selected from among 65 applicants, the 37 awardees will undertake projects and programs focused on the environment and sustainability, maritime industry education, job creation and the L.A. Waterfront.

"Congratulations to this year's grantees, who play such an important role in helping to improve the quality of life for residents and youth in our local Port communities," Port Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a statement. "We are proud to be able to support all they do to keep the Los Angeles Harbor area strong and resilient."

This year's grants were awarded in two categories -- large, over $100,000, and general, under $100,000. Grants were funded through port shipping fees and leasing revenues -- and not funded through taxpayers.

Recipients in the large grant category included the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles Harbor for its Wilmington Port Ocean and Land Awareness program; EXP for next-generation workforce development and education programs; and Los Angeles Maritime Institute for its TopSail experiential education sailing program for at-risk youth. The latter two grantees were previously announced by the port in November 2023.

Among the recipients in the general grant category are AltaSea for professional development seminar; Avalon Arts & Cultural Alliance for community events such as art walks and the Wilmington Waterfront Grand Opening; LA Conservation Corps for a San Pedro Waterfront Beautification; and Think Earth for its Think Watershed Project.

To be considered for a community grant, an applicant must be a non- profit organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Grant awards are reviewed by a committee comprised of three representatives from the port's Community Relations Division, one from Los Angeles City Council District 15, and one community representative each from San Pedro and Wilmington.

Since the program began in 2014, the port has awarded more than $10.8 million in grants.For the full list of awardees, go to www.portoflosangeles.org/community/grants.