LA2050 grantees and partners gathered on the night of Giving Tuesday to celebrate their collective work to uplift Los Angeles. The event – cohosted by Pledge and LA2050 at the Parks Project – created space for relaxation and connection on one of the busiest days of the year for nonprofits.

Attendees mingled while choosing their favorite raffle items and children danced around the room, as multiple generations of Angelenos bonded over a shared purpose: making Los Angeles better.

Goldhirsh Foundation President Tara Roth, addressed the room halfway through the event, sharing: "All of you do so much to support your communities 365 days per year, and Giving Tuesday is an especially important day for so many of you. It is such an honor to work with you and be able to support you tonight.”

The LA2050 Grants Challenge has received proposals from more than 2,600 organizations with bright ideas to strengthen Los Angeles. These organizations and their proposals are preserved on the LA2050 Ideas Hub and, each year, LA2050 matches $10,000 in donations made through the Ideas Hub. Prior to December 2nd, more than $160,000 had already been routed through Pledge since 2019; an additional $30,000 was added before the match’s conclusion.

"We hope you leave here tonight relaxed, and with new connections and new ideas. Los Angeles has significant problems – and when we collaborate and connect, we can accelerate progress," Roth said.

James Citron, the CEO of Pledge, then spoke about their offerings and impact, including the more than $150 million in donations to nonprofits channeled through Pledge so far. He highlighted the excitement in the room and stated it's a reflection of what the night was originally all about.

"We asked you what you are grateful for, and this is where we want to start," Citron said. "LA, you are the greatest city."

Following remarks, the audience spent the night conversing and eating away with refreshments provided by Goldhirsh Foundation investments, Everytable and Optimist. One attendee shared that he enjoys coming to LA2050 events because they “[bring] the community together in such a wholesome way. Everyone is here ready to celebrate, uplift, and learn from each other."

As the night came to a close, people visited the raffle table to place their remaining tickets on one of a selection of prizes featured in the LA2050 Social Impact Gift Guide. The winners were announced by Goldhirsh Foundation Director of Grants and Programs, LeAnn Kelch Melendez, and attendees collected prizes including bud vases from People’s Pottery Project, a cutting board from Would Works, and a candle from Made by DWC.

It was a night of celebration, and to quote Roth: “a real tribute to the hard work [organizations] do.”