5 Caring Philanthropic Organizations in Southern California
With so many worthwhile causes that require time and energy, it isn't enough just to care about the community - careful planning, strategy, and funding are required to address the issues facing Southern California. These organizations work with passionate partners to direct funds where they are most needed, ensuring that communities can grow and thrive without leaving anyone behind. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
5 Southern California Organizations Doing Their Part
| Name | Mission |
|---|---|
| Community Coalition | "Works to help transform the social and economic conditions in South LA that foster addiction, crime, violence and poverty by building a community institution that involves thousands in creating, influencing and changing public policy" |
| Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy | "Build a new economy rooted in good jobs" and work "toward economic equality, a cleaner environment, and thriving communities in our city and beyond" |
| California Community Foundation | Working "to lead positive systemic change that strengthens Los Angeles communities," and to build "a future where all Angelenos have the opportunity to contribute to the productivity, health and well-being of our region" |
| Ventura County Community Foundation | "To promote and enable philanthropy to improve our community," the group invests "in the future through scholarships, grant making, and collaborative partnerships" |
| Southern California Grantmakers | "To champion effective philanthropy and advance collaborative efforts that create meaningful change in our communities," SCG works in eight counties and "connects grantmakers across Southern California through sector-wide conferences, trainings, networking opportunities and funder convenings - providing space for collaboration and coordinated action on critical issues" |
Hear From The Members Of Community Coalition
American Cities With The Highest Rent
| Rank | City | State | Median Rent For 1-Bedroom Apartment In 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | CA | $3,500 |
| 2 | New York | NY | $2,750 |
| 3 | San Jose | CA | $2,490 |
| 4 | Boston | MA | $2,450 |
| 5 | Los Angeles | CA | $2,420 |
| 6 | Oakland | CA | $2,350 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | N/A | $2,100 |
| 8 | San Diego | CA | $1,950 |
| 9 | Seattle | WA | $1,900 |
| 10 | Miami | FL | $1,800 |
The History of Philanthropy in Southern California from SoCal Grantmakers
Los Angeles Statistical Snapshot
- Estimated population in 2018: 3,990,456
- Foreign-born population: 37.6%
- Owner-occupied housing rate: 36.8%
- Median gross rent: $1,302
- Persons aged 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher: 33.0%
- Persons under 65 without health insurance: 17.2%
- Poverty rate: 20.4%
- Unemployment rate: 3.8%
- Average weekly wages for LA County: $1,184
- Number of accredited colleges and universities: 113
- Homicides in 2016: 294
- Police officers per 1,000 residents: 2.49
- Median home value: $593,500
- Population density: 7,544.6 people per square mile
- Median age: 35.8
- Percentage of people who speak a language other than English in the home: 59.2%
- Population with veteran status: 2.6%
In Depth
With its warm weather, stunning coastline, and laidback reputation, Southern California is home to some of the most beautiful places in the country. While it is tempting to view this area as a paradise of sorts, not everyone who lives here is able to enjoy such a carefree existence, with disparities in wealth, education, and employment driving inequality in the region. Fortunately, there are a number of groups committed to improving opportunities for the area's residents. If you want to learn more about some of the work they do, then here are, in no particular order, five dedicated philanthropic organizations in Southern California.
At #1 on our list is Community Coalition, also known as CoCo, a South Los Angeles organization that brings community members together to build leadership, launch action campaigns, and create a unified voice for the area. The organization was founded by a group of activists in a living room in 1990, seeking to respond to the devastating consequences of the crack cocaine epidemic in their neighborhoods. It grew through its belief that the residents most affected by the crisis needed to be included and heard in order to create real solutions, and that policy solutions needed to build up rather than tear apart the community.
Alongside various other improvement efforts, CoCo has reduced youth and gang violence by developing innovative prevention programs and pushed for public investments to transform parks into safe and healthy public places. The coalition also carries out voter engagement efforts, which has led to CoCo's neighborhoods voting at nearly twice the rate of the county average. To support Community Coalition, consider making a donation, signing a petition, or becoming a member today.
Alongside various other improvement efforts, CoCo has reduced youth and gang violence by developing innovative prevention programs and pushed for public investments to transform parks into safe and healthy public places.
Next at #2 we have the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, a nationally recognized advocacy organization whose mission is to improve economic prospects for all. Through dynamic research, innovative public policy, and strategic organizing of broad alliances, LAANE promotes a new approach based on good jobs, thriving communities, and a healthy environment. The organization has been at the forefront of the city's progressive movement, transforming conditions in key industries and improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of working families in Southern California.
LAANE has been involved in campaigns surrounding education, energy, waste and recycling, wages and economic development, and the grocery, retail, hospitality, and tourism industries, as well as a number of different policy-based efforts. The organization's Reclaim Our Schools LA coalition is involved in transforming the Los Angeles Unified School District based on the Community Schooling approach, which involves restorative justice practices, reciprocal education pedagogy, and shared leadership to expand educational opportunities for students. Those who wish to get involved can support LAANE's work by making a donation.
Coming in at #3 is the California Community Foundation, a charitable organization that aims to fund long-term, systemic solutions to the root causes of Los Angeles County's most critical issues. Every year, CCF and its donors invest tens of millions of dollars in transforming the county. With the belief that real change takes more than money, CCF is also involved in developing partnerships and taking innovative approaches to the problems that it confronts.
Every year, CCF and its donors invest tens of millions of dollars in transforming the county.
In 2015, to celebrate one hundred years of service, the California Community Foundation made the ambitious goal of committing one billion dollars in grants to nonprofits in L.A. County over the next decade. In particular, CCF offers funding to groups at work in certain priority areas, such as education, health, immigration, and housing. A specific example of one of its initiatives is the Fellowship for Visual Artists, which provides emerging and mid-career artists financial support, enabling them to reach the next level of their professional development. Those who wish to get involved with CCF can explore giving opportunities online.
In the #4 spot is the Ventura County Community Foundation. Founded in 1987, this organization works to encourage and facilitate philanthropic giving that will benefit the region. Conscious of its donors' diverse interests and assets, VCCF offers flexible and personalized services, ensuring that the planned giving process honors donor intentions and maximizes community impact. Throughout its history, it has raised more than 100 million dollars in charitable capital for programs and initiatives in Ventura County.
VCCF maintains a number of resources that help outside groups, such as its Library for Nonprofit Research and Development, which contains two main collections of more than 1,000 print publications, books, and periodicals. It also provides several scholarship opportunities for individuals pursuing higher education, and it awards numerous donor-funded grants each year, which it advertises through requests for proposals. Those who wish to get involved with the Ventura County Community Foundation can check out its blog or make donations to specific efforts, like wildfire relief and recovery.
It also provides several scholarship opportunities for individuals pursuing higher education, and it awards numerous donor-funded grants each year, which it advertises through requests for proposals.
Last but not least, at #5 is Southern California Grantmakers. Founded in 1973 by four area organizations and initially named the Los Angeles Inter-Foundation Center, SCG today aims to build a stronger philanthropic community. A regional association representing more than 300 grantmakers, it connects the public and private sectors and improves individual projects and collaborations that benefit the SoCal community.
In support of its mission, SCG develops and deploys educational programs, resources, and other connections to enable foundations and companies to maximize their philanthropic impact. Furthermore, it is active in the realm of public policy, working to shape the conversation around legislation affecting philanthropy on local, state, and federal levels. Elsewhere, its Center for Strategic Partnerships, in conjunction with Los Angeles County, takes a collaborative approach to initiatives that improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. If you are interested in showing your support for SCG, consider checking out its social media profiles or even becoming a member.
