PORT OF LOS ANGELES GIVES $1 MILLION IN GRANTS TO 30 LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

54 Organizations Competed for $1 Million in Funding;
30 Local Organizations Awarded Grants

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — June 21, 2018 The Port of Los Angeles has allocated $1 million in grant funding again this year to local non-profits through its annual Community Investment Sponsorship Program. The non-taxpayer-funded program allocates up to $1 million annually in grant funding for projects benefiting the communities surrounding the Port and LA Waterfront.

“Support from the Port of Los Angeles is often a catalyst to sustain or launch many of these community programs and initiatives,” said Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. “We’re proud to help support these outstanding organizations and programs that make a positive impact on our San Pedro and Wilmington communities.”

“ITEP is extremely grateful for the Port’s partnership and financial support in growing the next generation of maritime leaders,” said Amy Grat, Chief Executive Officer of International Trade Education Programs and a large grant recipient. “We thank the Port of Los Angeles for helping ITEP build the talent pipeline for high-wage, high-growth jobs right here in our harbor community.”

To promote and provide assistance to those interested in applying for grants, Port staff held two community workshops in May, one in San Pedro and the other in Wilmington. As a result, a total of 54 organizations applied, requesting grant funding totaling nearly $1.8 million.

There were 28 organizations receiving new grant awards, with two additional entities—the LA Maritime Institute and International Trade Education Programs (ITEP)—receiving their second installment of a two-year large grant awarded last year. Under the Community Investment Sponsorship Program, grants are awarded in three categories: small ($5,000 and under); medium ($5,001 to $99,999) and large ($100,000 and over).

Among the 30 organizations that received grants this year were the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles Harbor for a Port, Ocean and Land Awareness program; a Clean Wilmington project by SBCC-Thrive LA; a maritime career technical education program at Port of Los Angeles High School; and a Wilmington Art Walk event by the Avalon Arts and Cultural Center. Click here for the full list of recipients.

“With the generous support of Port of Los Angeles community grants, the Friends of Banning Museum are able to welcome both our neighbors and visitors in December to our Victorian Christmas open house,” said Julia S. Banning, President of the Friends of Banning Museum in Wilmington. “The grant also supports our annual summer celebration of Phineas Banning's Birthday on the front lawn of his house."

A committee comprised of three Port personnel, local representatives from both the San Pedro and Wilmington communities, and a representative from LA City Councilman Joe Buscaino’s office made the final award selections.
The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovatively strategic and sustainable operations that benefit Southern California’s economy and quality of life. North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated $284 billion in trade during 2017. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs in the five-county Southern California region.

The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovatively strategic and sustainable operations that benefit Southern California’s economy and quality of life. North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated $284 billion in trade during 2017. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs in the five-county Southern California region.