Port of Los Angeles Awards $1.5 Million in Community Investment Grants for FY 2023/24

SAN PEDRO — The Port of Los Angeles Feb. 29 announced 37 local non-profit organizations will receive $1.5 million in funding under the port’s community investment grant program for FY 2023/24. Selected from among 65 proposers, the grant recipients will undertake projects and programs focused on the environment and sustainability, maritime industry education and job creation, and the LA 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,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “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 are funded through port shipping fees and leasing revenues — not taxpayer funded.

Recipients in the large grant category included the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles Harbor for its Wilmington Port Ocean and Land Awareness (POLA) 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.

Recipients in the general grant category this year are:

• AltaSea – Professional development seminar
• Avalon Arts & Cultural Alliance / Community events, including art walks and the Wilmington Waterfront Grand Opening
• Bridge Cities Alliance / San Pedro Pride
• Cabrillo Beach Boosters / 73rd Annual John Olguin July 4th Spectacular
• Cabrillo Beach Youth Sailing / Community sailing program for youth
• Energy Independence Now / Hydrogen education center event series at AltaSea
• Friends of Banning Museum / Phineas Banning birthday celebration and Victorian Christmas
• Friends of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium / Gala and event sponsorships
• Friends of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum / Upgrade port history exhibit
• Friends of the Rotary Club of Wilmington / Various programs/events at Wilmington Waterfront Park
• International Bird Rescue / Southern California native bird rescue, rehabilitation and crisis response
• International Seafarers Center / International seafarers hospitality program
• LA Conservation Corps / San Pedro Waterfront beautification
• LA Parks Foundation / Harbor Community Cabrillo Beach pier fishing program
• Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society / Introduction of “Ralph J. Scott” LAFD fireboat project
• Los Angeles Sailing Foundation / Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup – Cal Maritime Invitational Intercollegiate Regatta
• Los Angeles Sportswalk of Fame / Induction ceremony and luncheon
• Marine Mammal Care Center / MMCC Pinniped blood testing program
• Pacific Battleship Center / Various events
• Pacific Unicomm Corporation / 61st Annual Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade
• Pedro Pet Pals, Inc. / Pet adoption event at the LA Waterfront
• Port of Los Angeles High School / Career technical education: marine transportation
• San Pedro Arts Association / 2023 Harbor-wide all grade student art competition and exhibit
• San Pedro City Ballet / Performance of Don Quixote at Berth 37
• San Pedro Bay Historical Society, Inc. / The Salty Broads Project
• San Pedro Waterfront Arts District / Artist designed crosswalk demonstration project
• South Bay Center for Counseling / Clean Wilmington
• Southern California Marine Institute / SCMI shoreside station monitoring program
• Think Earth / Think watershed project
• Toberman Neighborhood Center / Preservation program
• U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans of WWII / Sprit of 45 Event
• Veterans Supplemental Support Network / Two luncheon events: Women in Maritime Industry and Women in Maritime Careers
• Wilmington Youth Sailing / Wilmington Waterfront Holiday celebration
• Wilmington YMCA / 5th Annual YMCA 5K at the Wilmington Waterfront Park

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.

Details: portoflosangeles.org/community/grants.