Foundation awards $1 million in grants to support nonprofits addressing education equity 

(Photos courtesy of Aaron Rapoport, HOLA and EmpowHer Institute.)

The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles announced Aug. 5  it awarded $1 million to seven Southern California nonprofits that address issues related to education equity.

The funding supports community-led organizations that connect students with strong mentors, focus on the specific needs of young people of color, increase access to health services for students of color and their families, and empower students to advocate for their educational needs.  

The seven recipients are Antelope Valley Boys & Girls Club; Bridge Builders Foundation; EmpowHer Institute; Girls Club of Los Angeles; Heart of Los Angeles Youth Inc.; Social Justice Learning Institute; and Special Needs Network Inc.

Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Marvin I. Schotland stated, “The pandemic has exacerbated existing inequities in our education system that disproportionately affect students of color who lack the resources to successfully learn remotely.”

He continued: “All of these recipient organizations are based in communities of color with demonstrated track records of service and strong, impressive leadership.”

“The grant funding from the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles will be used to triple our program-service sites and double the annual number of girls who participate in our education and economic justice programs across Los Angeles County,” said Dawn L. Brown, CEO of EmpowHer Institute. EmpowHer provides academic support, training and mentorship to enable girls and young women to become confident and prepared for college and careers.

Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) is one of the premier community centers providing underserved youth in the MacArthur Park-Rampart District with high-quality after-school programs in academics, arts, athletics and family resources. “(HOLA) is so grateful to the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles,” Tony Brown, CEO of HOLA said. “Through this grant, HOLA aims to expand its in-depth academic and whole-child support, which are needed now more than ever to reach even more youth in our community.”

Learn more about the grants here.