The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles has announced that grants totaling $325,000 have been awarded to seven local organizations to support racial equity. The announcement came on the heels of the foundation reporting that its donors have recommended grants of $5.4 million to COVID-19 response and relief-related causes and programs.

The funding in support of racial equality is being directed to programs that span a diverse range of areas including healthcare for Black women and infants, job opportunities for at-risk youth and those exiting the justice system, access to quality education and leadership opportunities for Black professionals. The seven recipients are A New Way of Life Reentry Project, African American Board Leadership Institute, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Jews of Color Initiative, Black Women for Wellness, Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade and Social Justice Learning Institute.

“In response to the current social unrest, the foundation decided to make these grants. These inspiring programs align with our institution’s own values of creating a more civil, just and equitable society,” President and CEO Marvin I. Schotland said. “We are proud to place our support behind these initiatives and look forward to following the progress of their meaningful work.”

Schotland added that the foundation consulted with numerous funders and experts in the field to enhance its understanding of the important issues and organizations serving communities of color.

“These nonprofits have received prior support from trusted funders, as well as our foundation’s own donors, which helped to inform our decision-making,” he added. “Beyond that, we established criteria that included being Black-led, well-established, located in the communities they serve and focused on providing direct services.” 

The foundation’s $5.4 million in grants to COVID-19 relief organizations came from donor-advised funds and family support organizations administered by the foundation, the largest manager of charitable assets for Los Angeles Jewish philanthropists. To date, donors have directed a total of 412 grants to 161 nonprofits for COVID-19 relief, according to the institution. Among the recipients in Los Angeles are the Mayor’s Fund, the Jewish Federation, Jewish Family Service and Food Forward. Nationally, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee was a significant beneficiary.

In March, the foundation created an online COVID-19 Response Hub resource, listing vetted nonprofit organizations and encouraging donors to support causes, particularly safety-net programs that address food, housing and financial insecurity, as well as access to healthcare locally and in Israel.

“In response to the sudden and most profound crisis of this generation, our family of donors has demonstrated its remarkable capacity for generosity and compassion,” Schotland said. “Our donors are selflessly drawing on their charitable funds established with the foundation at a time it’s needed most, as demand for services surges and nonprofits experience sharp declines in giving.”

For information, visit jewishfoundationla.org.