Our community needs are constantly changing and the Long Beach Community Foundation Fund changes to meet those needs. Since its inception the Foundation’s discretionary grants have included the following areas:

Arts and Culture
Diversity and Human Relations
Economic Self-Sufficiency
Gang Prevention and Intervention
Literacy and Literacy Training
Parenting Education
Service to Homebound Seniors
Violence Prevention

Each year, the Foundation’s Board of Directors determines suitable areas of focus for discretionary grantmaking from the fund. The Board searches for nonprofit organizations that can provide services to meet critical, new and emerging community needs. No attempt is made to replace ongoing public support for successful organizations. Instead, grants help local nonprofits leverage their resources in a way that improves the conditions of our great city. As the corpus grows, more needs will be met.

The Long Beach Community Foundation Fund is invested and managed by the California Community Foundation, whose average annual quarter-century “return on investment” has been about 12 percent. Annual distributions of about five percent are then reinvested in nonprofit organizations. Total foundation expenses are about one percent, so the excess adds to compounded annual growth. Endowments are designed to provide lasting support for changing needs.

Make an investment in Long Beach each year. In addition to cash, you can make a gift using real estate, appreciated stocks and other assets; or establish a charitable gift annuity or remainder trust. And, if funds aren’t currently available, consider a bequest from your estate.