PORT OF LOS ANGELES AWARDS $1 MILLION IN COMMUNITY GRANTS 
TO 34 LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

SAN PEDRO, Calif. - July 20, 2017 - The Port of Los Angeles has named 34 organizations that will receive grants under the port’s Community Investment Sponsorship Program for FY 2017/18. The non-taxpayer-funded program allocates up to $1 million annually in grant funding for projects benefiting the San Pedro Bay harbor communities and the LA Waterfront.
 
"Investing and reinvesting in our local harbor communities has been a long-time priority at the Port," said Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles "This annual grant program allows the Port of Los Angeles to consistently support projects that we believe have -- or can have -- a measurable and positive impact on our community and its residents."
 
The Port made grants in three categories: small ($5,000 and under); medium ($5,001 to $99,999) and large ($100,000 and over). This year the Port received 65 applications, which totaled more than $3.5 million in requested funding. The Port awarded $40,400 in small grants, $334,600 in medium grants and $625,000 in the large grant category.
 
Grants were awarded based on specific criteria outlined by the Port, which sought projects that either actively promoted the LA Waterfront; fostered interest and demand for maritime workforce development, commerce and education; or promoted sustainability, preservation of natural resources or helped address impacts of Port operations on surrounding communities.
 
This year's large grant recipients included the Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s TopSail Youth Program, which focuses on helping students discover their potential through at-sea and maritime-related experiences. Also receiving a large grant was the International Trade Education Program (ITEP), which works with local area high school students to prepare them for college and career opportunities in port-related sectors like trade, transportation and logistics.  
 
A panel of port staff and community representatives reviewed and scored the grant proposals. Of the projects approved, eight will serve Wilmington, seven will serve San Pedro and the other 19 will serve both communities. 
 
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 $272 billion in trade during 2016. 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 – A cleaner port.  A brighter future.