PRESS RELEASE

The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) Office of Youth Development, in partnership with The Nonprofit Partnership (TNP), has awarded the first disbursements of Measure US funded grants, a total of $318,955 in mini-grants and mid-size grants, to support over 70 local groups and organizations providing summer programs and fostering pathways of care and connection for children and young adults between the ages of 8 and 24 in Long Beach. 

The grants awarded are part of the Youth Fund, established utilizing funds generated through Measure US in November 2021 to provide direct community investments to youth and youth serving organizations throughout the city, with priority given to communities most impacted by crime, poverty and COVID-19. The fund’s creation came as a result of community engagement efforts of the Invest In Youth Coalition to also support the implementation of the goals identified in the Youth and Emerging Adults Strategic Plan (YSP), specifically, those related to physical and mental health, emotional wellness, planning for the future, community care and transportation. 

In June, the City opened applications for local groups and organizations to apply for two community grant opportunities to support summer programming for children and young adults. After a thorough application review process, 55 mini-grant applicants and 15 mid-size grant applicants were selected to receive funding of various amounts, depending on the scope of their proposal. Disbursements of funds will continue to be issued to the selected organizations. 

The Youth Fund was established within Measure US in 2021 after being proposed by Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, supported by Sixth District Councilwoman Suely Saro and Seventh District Councilman Robert Uranga, and approved by the City Council. 

Distribution of grant awards will be managed by The Nonprofit Partnership, on behalf of the Office of Youth Development, which will also facilitate a learning circle community for mid-size grantees to share best practices. TNP and the Health Department will produce a combined midsize and mini-grantee report by December 2022 to share with community members. 

In the next month, applications will be available for a new large-size grant opportunity for local groups and organizations that support youth violence prevention programs. Additional details will be provided at a later date. 

More information on Measure US and the Youth Fund, including the complete lists of awarded groups and organizations and their project summaries, is available at longbeach.gov/youthfund.

Media inquiries may be directed to Amanda Recio, Public Affairs Specialist, Department of Health and Human Services, at 562.965.2839 or Amanda.Recio@longbeach.gov.