PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – Today the application period opened for the City of Long Beach’s recently announced ActivateLB Grants Program. This Program, funded by the Long Beach Recovery Act, will provide funding for large citywide cultural events, along with neighborhood event seed grants and business activation grants. The application period for Cultural Special Events Grants is open now and will remain open until funds have been exhausted. Program applications for neighborhood event seed grants and business activation grants will open later this month and funded events are planned to be rolled out starting this summer.

Eligible organizations may apply for the Cultural Special Event grants, administered through the City Manager’s Office, at longbeach.gov/ActivateLB:

• 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.

Additionally, through the ActivateLB Grants Program, direct relief payments of up to $15,000 are now 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

ActivateLB funding will also be utilized to further support City Summer Cultural Event Programming taking place throughout the city. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine will enhance cultural programming at 11 Be SAFE (Summer Activities in a Friendly Environment) sites this summer, and the Department of Library Services will fund Juneteenth events, Pride events and other racial equity programming at City Library locations.

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. 

Media inquiries may be directed to Andrew Chang, Assistant to the City Manager, Office of the City Manager, at 562.570.6724 or andrew.chang@longbeach.gov.