Port of Los Angeles Awarding Grants for Maritime Education

By Karen Robes Meeks

Local nonprofit organizations will be receiving grants totaling one million dollars from the Port of Los Angeles’ annual Community Investment Sponsorship Program.

“Support from the Port of Los Angeles is often a catalyst to sustain or launch many of these community programs and initiatives,” said port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We’re proud to help support these outstanding organizations and programs that make a positive impact on our San Pedro and Wilmington communities.”

The International Trade Education Programs (ITEP), which help local high school students prepare for college and career opportunities in trade-related jobs, received one of the grants.

“ITEP is extremely grateful for the port’s partnership and financial support in growing the next generation of maritime leaders,” said ITEP CEO Amy Grat. “We thank the Port of Los Angeles for helping ITEP build the talent pipeline for high-wage, high-growth jobs right here in our harbor community.”

Among those also receiving financial support are the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles Harbor for a Port, Ocean and Land Awareness program; SBCC-Thrive LA for a Clean Wilmington project; Port of Los Angeles High School for a maritime career technical education program, and the Avalon Arts and Cultural Center for a Wilmington Art Walk. The complete list of recipients can be found at https://www.portoflosangeles.org/pdf/2018-Community-Investment-Sponsorship-Program.pdf

Los Angeles Port Awards Grants

By Karen Robes Meeks

About 34 organizations will receive grants totaling nearly $1 million from the Port of Los Angeles for projects that improve and enhance the waterfront and communities within the San Pedro Bay.

Recipients of the port’s Community Investment Sponsorship Program for fiscal year 2017-2018 include:

• The Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s TopSail Youth Program;

• The International Trade Education Program (ITEP), which helps area prepare high school students for opportunities in port-related sectors such as trade, transportation and logistics; and

• The Robert F. Kennedy Institute of Community and Family Medicine, which works toward mitigating port-based chronic diseases for visitors, residents and employees.

“Investing and reinvesting in our local harbor communities has been a long-time priority,” said port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “This annual grant program allows the Port of Los Angeles to consistently support projects that we believe have − or can have − a measurable and positive impact on our community and its residents.”

LA Port Launches Investment Grant Program

The Port of Los Angeles is introducing a pilot program that will provide $50,000 in grant funding for local programs and events benefiting the Los Angeles Harbor and waterfront.

“This pilot grant program is designed to help the Port of Los Angeles reach and support a variety of local organizations undertaking programs and projects that positively impact our local port community,” Cynthia Ruiz, the port’s Deputy Executive Director for External Relations said in a statement announcing the program.

In addition to supporting efforts that promote the LA Waterfront and surrounding coastal areas as vibrant visitor destinations, grants will also be awarded to organizations focused on educating the community about environmental stewardship and sustainability, the benefits of international trade, security and safety and maritime history and tradition.

Grant applications for the new Community Investment Sponsorship Program are due by Sept. 20, 2013.

The program will make funds available in increments of up to $5,000 per requesting organization. Nonprofit organizations must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status to apply, and funds must be spent by June 30, 2014.

A grant committee made up of port and community representatives will review and approve all grant applications. Funds for this program come from Port of Los Angeles revenues.

The Community Investment Sponsorship Program grant application can be seen and downloaded at the port’s website: http://www.portoflosangeles.org/pdf/Community_Investment_Grant_Program_%20PILOT-PROGRAM-2013.pdf. For additional information or questions, applicants may call the port’s public relations department at (310) 732-3508.