PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – Today the City of Long Beach announced details for ActivateLB Grant Programs, funded by the Long Beach Recovery Act, which will provide funding for large citywide cultural events, along with neighborhood event seed grants and business activation grants. Program applications will open in June 2022 and funded events are planned to be rolled out starting this summer.

“The ActivateLB grants will provide important funding to local organizations so that we can continue to celebrate and uplift the diversity of our city,” said Mayor Robert Garcia.

The ActivateLB Programs include the following grant opportunities to support cultural, community and commercial corridor events, administered through the City Manager’s Office and the Department of Economic Development:

• Cultural Special Events Grants: Eight grants of up to $25,000 each are available to nonprofit organizations for Citywide cultural events. As part of the City’s economic and health recovery, this program aims to fund large cultural events not previously funded by the City, to put on new events that celebrate Long Beach’s vibrant communities and support community healing via cultural practices. The events must be free and open to the public and the grant funding will offset the cost of City special event permits and fees. The application period begins June 2 and will roll out on a first-come, first-serve basis to nonprofit organizations who meet the selection criteria.

• Neighborhood Activation Seed Grants: Twelve seed grants of up to $5,000 each are available for small-scale, neighborhood and first-time cultural activations. This grant opportunity funds Long Beach organizations conducting cultural events aimed at fostering community resilience and creative well-being within Long Beach's neighborhoods and their community members who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The events must be free and open to the public. The application period begins June 21 and will close on July 21.

• Business Activation Grants: Grants totaling $100,000 will be distributed in $5,000 and $10,000 grants to support local events and promotions that increase consumer spending at local small businesses. Events and promotions must focus on commercial corridors that are not supported by a Business Improvement District and must measure impact on consumer spending and/or foot traffic. Events and promotions must be free and open to the public. Applications will open on June 21 and close on July 21.

• City Events Direct Relief: Direct relief payments of up to $15,000 will be made available to further support each of the following City events: 
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
  • Dia de los Muertos
  • Jazz Festival
  • Veterans Day Parade
  • Daisy Christmas Parade

Additional information regarding the application process and eligibility requirements can be found on the Recovery Act Grant Opportunities webpage at longbeach.gov/ActivateLB.

As part of the City’s ongoing efforts to provide application assistance for Recovery-related programs, Economic Development’s BizCare Program will offer free assistance for the Activate LB Grant Programs. Free application assistance is available by phone at 562.570.4249 or email 4biz@longbeach.gov. In-person assistance is also available at BizCare Pop-Ups, find the latest schedule at www.longbeach.gov/bizcare.

This opportunity is made possible by the Long Beach Recovery Act (Recovery Act), a plan to fund economic and public health initiatives for residents, workers and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $570,000 has been allocated from the Recovery Act to support cultural event activations. Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery.