Los Angeles, Calif. – MAY 18, 2016 – River LA announced today that it has been selected as a recipient of the Community Progress Makers Fund, a $20 million grant initiative to support 40 visionary nonprofit organizations in their efforts to establish new approaches to long-standing urban economic challenges in the United States – including economic development, environment sustainability, urban infrastructure, and affordable housing.
As part of the program, River LA will receive a core operating support grant of $500,000 over the course of two years to continue its work in the community around the revitalization for the Los Angeles River. This new injection of funds will help bolster existing initiatives while opening up the door to additional programs that will expand our capacity to raise awareness and engage the public along all 51-miles of the Los Angeles River. In addition to the grant, River LA will also have access to technical assistance from leading national researchers and experts and will be provided opportunities to connect with other grantees to share and learn best practices.
“The ongoing success of the Los Angeles River revitalization depends on our ability to bring together people, water, and public spaces across all 51-miles of the river,” said River LA Executive Director Omar Brownson. “At River LA, we want the community to see that the Los Angeles River is alive and a great public resource right now. Being named a Community Progress Makers Fund recipient is a tremendous support to our efforts to create sustainable LA River infrastructure that facilitates investment into under-resourced neighborhoods, while also improving environmental quality, economic opportunity, and well-being.”
“The Citi Foundation feels privileged to support organizations that have demonstrated such strong commitments to their local communities and a willingness to share their experiences with others for the betterment of their neighborhoods,” said Brandee McHale, President of the Citi Foundation. “These organizations have a track record of implementing solutions that work for their communities because they know the people there, understand what resources to tap and, most importantly, feel deeply invested in the places where they live and work. We believe that’s the key to leading urban transformation efforts in greater Los Angeles County and elsewhere across the country.”The Community Progress Makers Fund builds upon the Citi Foundation’s commitment to identify and support innovative solutions and organizations that are helping build stronger, more resilient cities that are engines of economic opportunity for all. The flexibility of core operating support will allow organizations and their visionary leaders to deploy solutions that address a range of issues.
About the Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant cities. The Citi Foundation's "More than Philanthropy" approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com.