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We’ve got access to the information that every Angeleno needs to make an impact. Our blog features the latest LA2050 news, announcements, features, happenings, grantee updates, and more.

LA2050 Blog

Today on the LA2050.org website, we launched a section titled, “

.” Please see the link in bio and go check it out!

LA2050 is committed to visual storytelling. The Gallery is full of examples of the artworks, graphics, illustrations, infographics, e-books, posters, tote bags, and much more created through the years by our talented Design Fellows.

They include: Lauren Song, Johnathan Huang, Mana

Megan Park, and Ashley Lukashevsky. Our 2023 IRL voting booths were designed by LeAnn Kelch Melendez.

Explore Our New LA2050 Design Gallery

As 2024 winds down, we’re celebrating all that the LA2050 community has accomplished over the past 12 months and 

Check out our special Pinterest-inspired look back, below.

We launched our 11th LA2050 Grants Challenge, with the aim of encouraging collective action and service through our theme of “Who can? You can!” 

And, Angelenos answered the call! Almost 15,000 of you cast more than 

 in 12 languages for the issues that mattered most to you to determine our funding priorities. But, that’s not all: for the first time, we also highlighted opportunities to make a tangible impact on those same issues and partnered with 24 organizations all across LA to host diverse 

. We were so inspired that more than 3,500 of you joined, contributing 

; 187 young people, ages 14 to 24, that dove headfirst into voting and volunteering as part of this year’s Grants Challenge.

Together with our funding partners, we granted more than 

 in collaboration with 70 community evaluators. On October 2nd, more than 100 social impact leaders gathered at the Hammer Museum for the 

 – the culmination of this year's Grants Challenge – to honor and encourage the nonprofits receiving grants. ⁠

 included Michael D. Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps; Jessica Yellin, founder of the nonprofit News Not Noise; LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis; California State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; and representatives of this year's funding partners.

We amplified opportunities to make an impact in LA through donating, gifting, and volunteering. 

$30,000 for 78 different local nonprofits 

via our LA2050 Ideas Hub match – thanks to your generosity! Last month, we also published our 

, encouraging you to use your holiday shopping for good with 80+ products and experiences sourced from local nonprofits, sustainable makers, cultural establishments, and BIPOC-owned businesses. We even partnered with actor Andrea Savage to produce a 

 featuring Andrea visiting four organizations from the gift guide, learning more about their work and products. And, throughout the year, we shared 

We sought to uplift local nonprofits through action-oriented events and helpful resources. 

 providing practical insight into how artificial intelligence (AI) can be leveraged in impact work; we followed that up with a series of six hands-on AI training sessions for grantees over the summer. In October, we programmed two panels for LA Tech Week – “Technology and Storytelling for Social Good” and “AI for Social Good” – to continue the conversation. And, in response to questions from a former LA2050 grantee, we released a 

guide to successful corporate-nonprofit partnerships

 based on interviews with leaders in the field.

We curated opportunities and resources for those interested in deeper engagement with our region’s impact sector. 

Over the past year, we posted hundreds of social impact job openings on the

. We released maps to help us get to know our region better – from sites 

annual e-book celebrating LA’s birthday

, we invited elected officials representing Los Angeles at the national, state, and local levels to share what they love about the city and their wishes for its future.

We continued to build our incredible LA2050 community, together.

 Our work to make LA the best place to live, learn, play, create, and connect is only possible because of YOU! To stay engaged as we move into 2025 together, be sure to connect with us on 

Our LA2050 Year-In-Review

We love hosting webinars to help you create your My LA2050 Grants Challenge applications. Check out some frequently asked questions from participants below. You can also see our complete list of

. If you'd like to ask your own question, sign up for our

final webinar will take place on March 12

Can we apply in more than one goal category?

Answer: Yes, as long as you're applying with distinct proposals

How do we build budgets since we don't know at what level we'll be funded? Do we shoot for the $100K?

Answer: Shoot for the stars! Build your budget for the $100,000 top prize. LA2050 will work with you to adjust accordingly if you receive a smaller grant.

What supporting documentation do we need?

Answer: If you're applying as a 501(c)(3), your IRS determination letter. If you're applying as a business, your business license.

How do we determine which of the five goal categories best fits our application?

Answer: Start with our 68 LA2050 impact metrics! Find the ones that align best with your organization's goals, and choose your category based on the metrics.

How will projects be reviewed and scored?

Answer: This year, Social Venture Partners is serving as our external evaluation partner. We've posted the full scorecard they'll be using on our website at challenge.la2050.org/submit

Does the grants challenge fund existing projects, or only new project proposals?

Answer: Both! We're glad to accept submissions for both new and ongoing projects and programs.

Does our organization need to be based in Los Angeles?

Answer: No, but the activities of your proposal must directly serve Los Angeles County.

Are there any limitations on funding for overhead, capital improvement, or administrative costs?

Answer: There are no limitations to overhead, capital improvement, or administrative costs. Please just ensure that your budget aligns with the activities you've outlined in your proposal, and that the grant funds will be expended within the 12-month grant period.

What time period should the timeline cover?

Answer: The 12-month grant period will be from July 2020 to July 2021.

LA2050 Blog

FAQs About the My LA2050 Grants Challenge