Cedars-Sinai has significantly increased its financial support for programs serving vulnerable communities across the Los Angeles region, providing $30 million in grants during the last fiscal year to nearly 200 organizations.

Through its grant-making, Cedars-Sinai provided more financial support for community organizations in fiscal year 2020-21 than in any other year to date.

The grants provided more than $10 million to organizations that offer access to medical care services. The California Community Foundation received more than $1.5 million to help  organizations build capacity for increased mental health needs, while $800,000 went to the Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health for a health and wellness initiative in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County received nearly $2 million to support its network of clinics in preparing for new healthcare reform initiatives. Louise McCarthy, the foundation’s president and CEO, described the grant as transformational.

Cedars-Sinai’s grant-making reflects its continued commitment to supporting the needs of Los Angeles’ homeless population. The UniHealth Foundation received $5 million to establish linkages between the health and housing sectors. The funding will build the capacity of organizations to ensure access to clinical support services for people with complex health needs as they transition out of homelessness.

Food insecurity, another identified area of need, has affected neighborhoods and populations across Los Angeles throughout the pandemic. The Hollywood Food Coalition received $50,000 to help feed food-insecure seniors. The Nonprofit Finance Fund received $225,000 to identify how to sustain local food access efforts, while Food Forward received $75,000 to help recover, rescue and repurpose produce.

Other grants included $85,000 for the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation to support a pilot program aimed at creating a greater sense of awareness of differing perspectives and systemic inequities among Los Angeles city firefighters.