The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) announced more than $1.1 million has been awarded to local nonprofit organizations through July 2019. With more funding still to be announced through December, the LADF is on track to surpass last year’s total of $1.6 million.
Proceeds have been raised through 50/50 raffles during games at Dodger Stadium this season and plus the Foundation’s annual Blue Diamond Gala event, among other initiatives. The Dodgers’ foundation added new priorities to its grantmaking approach in the areas of Education + Literacy, Sports + Recreation, and Health + Wellness.
“We have the privilege of turning Dodger fans into funders who, through their 50/50 raffle and in-stadium fundraising participation, team up with us to award these amazing nonprofits with important funds to tackle the most significant problems facing the city of Los Angeles,” LADF CEO Nichol Whiteman said.
“We believe in opportunity, access, and equity, and, with the support of fans, we will continue to support impactful nonprofit programs to produce meaningful results on our fields, in our classrooms, and at our recreation centers.”
Since inception in 1985, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation has distributed more than $25 million in programs and grants to hundreds of organizations across L.A. through the support of donors and fans, bidding on silent auction items, sponsoring events and general donations.
Education + Literacy grants provide access, opportunity and innovation to youth at critical engagement stages — from kindergarten through college — through reading and STEM activities, foster care support services, middle school mentorship, and college scholarships and support.
Sports + Recreation grants support work that uses baseball and softball to build community and reinforce what it means to be a team. Grantees provide leadership opportunities and promote sports-based youth development through increased skills, and positive and safe places to play for youth with disabilities.
Health + Wellness grants address health challenges that prevent children from excelling in school or recreational activities, including food insecurity, fitness and healthy eating. Grants also support efforts to improve the mental and physical wellness of youth.
Recently awarded grants include:
• Para Los Niños: $15,000 to support the Reading is Leading program for 1,300 elementary students in 59 classrooms and the purchase of approximately 2,000 books for classroom libraries in Downtown, East L.A. and Koreatown
• I Have a Dream Foundation Los Angeles: $15,000 to support year-round college and career readiness programming for 500 underserved students in Boyle Heights, Watts and Inglewood
• Aquarium of the Pacific: $20,000 to support the Aquarium Scholarship Fund with high-quality STEM learning opportunities to 2,550 high school students from Title 1 schools in Long Beach and surrounding communities
• 826LA: $15,000 to support writing field trips for over 3,000 students from Title 1 schools in Echo Park and Northeast Los Angeles
• YMCA Metro LA: $15,000 to support Physical Learning Activities for Youth (PLAY) serving 3,912 students in LAUSD during the school day
• Danny’s Farm: $5,000 to support field trips and mobile petting zoo excursions for low-income youth and youth with disabilities from Inglewood and South Los Angeles
• Common Threads: $20,000 to support afterschool healthy cooking and nutrition classes in six LAUSD Title 1 schools
• Students Run America (SRLA): $15,000 to support Students Run L.A. race registration fees for middle and high school students throughout Los Angeles
• Just keep livin Foundation: $30,000 to support afterschool fitness and wellness programming at Manual Arts High School and Animo Inglewood High School
In addition to grant awards, LADF activates with grantees, co-hosts events, digitally showcases their work, and conducts “Giving Moments” at Dodger Stadium stadium to further highlight grantees to millions of fans throughout the season.
Furthermore, the Foundation continues to develop and refurbish Dodgers Dreamfields as they work toward completing a goal of 75 by 2033 to commemorate the team’s 75th anniversary in Los Angeles. Last year the LADF completed a 15-year promise with the unveiling of the 50th Dodgers Dreamfield.
