As part of this year’s LA2050 Grants Challenge, Goldhirsh Foundation and LA2050 artist in residence Man One is creating a series of portraits of a few of the many people who make an impact every day in Los Angeles. We’ll be posting the images in the days and weeks ahead all across LA2050 social media accounts, and adding them to this blog post as well.

“What Do You Say, LA?” – Our New Portrait Series by Artist In Residence Man One

LOS ANGELES (March 18, 2026) — Public voting opened today in the

, the Goldhirsh Foundation’s annual project that invites Angelenos to choose the issues that matter most to them, and then directs funding to organizations working on those priorities. Voting is open through April 22nd at 

LA2050 Grants Challenge Asks Angelenos What Issues Matter Most 

The Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 initiative have named Alejandro Poli, Jr. — better known as “Man One” — the organization’s first-ever artist-in-residence. His term runs through January 2027.

Man One Named Goldhirsh Foundation and LA2050 Artist-In-Residence

Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 initiative announced today that Brenda Macuil has joined the staff as a social impact and research fellow.

Social Impact and Research Fellow Brenda Macuil Joins Goldhirsh Foundation

, the Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 initiative have provided complimentary AI (artificial intelligence) consulting, training, and workshops to the Los Angeles impact community and beyond. The work is led by Jen García, Goldhirsh Foundation’s 

 available in the AI section of our news feed – García shares practical insights, real-world use cases, and emerging research to support nonprofits’ responsible and ethical adoption of AI tools.

Think Alongside Your LLM, Context is King, and More: Reflections From Our Latest AI Tools Training For Nonprofits

Excited for NBA All-Star weekend, but can’t make it to the Intuit Dome? We’re with you. The new three-team tournament may be on Sunday, but Los Angeles is celebrating all weekend long: from official events, to sports bars, to family-friendly establishments, our new map features just a few of the many places you can join your fellow Angelenos for all things All-Star.

NBA All-Star Weekend 2026: Where to Celebrate

⁠The Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 initiative announced today that Brooklyn Villavicencio has joined the staff as the social impact and research fellow.

Social Impact and Research Fellow Brooklyn Villavicencio Joins The Goldhirsh Foundation

The leader of one organization created a succession plan.

Goldhirsh Foundation Creates Costa Rica Residencies for Social Impact Leaders

The Goldhirsh Foundation has announced that Alejandra Soler joined the organization’s staff as Costa Rica residencies manager. Her primary focus is the 

 (working title), the Goldhirsh Foundation’s invitation-only residency program for social impact leaders.

“Working with the Goldhirsh Foundation has introduced me to individuals who are reshaping their fields and communities,” Soler said. “Being part of this team and witnessing the impact it has on so many has been truly inspiring.”

Soler studied tourism at the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica and has been in the hospitality industry for the past eight years, bringing to her work a deep understanding of guest experience and cultural connection. She is also the co-founder of a national design store that highlights local creativity and design.

Costa Rica Residencies Manager Alejandra Soler Joins Goldhirsh Foundation

New for 2026: Two-Part LA2050 Grants Challenge Application Process

This year’s LA2050 Grants Challenge is a two-part application process, with the Part 1, screening eligibility, open now until April 22nd. All organizations that want to be considered for funding via Part 2 of the process must apply to Part 1. 

To apply, you must attend an informational webinar.

The 2026 Grants Challenge Webinar Schedule

Note: General Cohort members will be accepted on a rolling basis: Leadership Council applications closed on Thursday, February 12th.

2026 LA2050 Youth Ambassador Program – Open Now!

The LA2050 Youth Ambassador Program began in 2022. Since then, it has engaged more than 700 young people from across Los Angeles County, representing more than 200 unique ZIP codes. Participants have engaged more than 14,500 residents during the annual LA2050 Grants Challenge voting period.

Uplifting Youth Voices in LA: 2025 LA2050 Youth Ambassador Report

Dispelling AI Job Fears

We're excited to share final reflections on the incredible work of some of our 2024 LA2050 Grants Challenge grantees.*

Impact Updates from our 2024 LA2050 Grantees!

[The following final update was written by the organization and then sent to us for further sharing.]

Birthworkers of Color Collective Trains 27 New Doulas and Strengthens Equity in Perinatal Care

New Earth Expands Workforce Innovation and Healing Pathways for 116 System-Impacted Youth

Mentor For Change Cultivates Success for 127 First-Gen, Unhoused, and Justice-Involved Youth

Kaimore Empowers 342 Opportunity Youth Through Career Readiness and Entrepreneurship

Coffee With A Cause Brews a Workforce Pipeline with 17 Youth Trained, 12 Mentors Engaged, and a New Café

AHJN Builds Creative Career Pathways for 261 Systems-Impacted Youth

CCEJ Advances Youth Justice With 105 Successful Diversions and New Pathways to Opportunity

Partnership for Los Angeles Schools Empowers 371 STEM Scholars Through the K-PhD Advanced Enrichment Program

LAFD Foundation Improves Citywide Emergency Outcomes Through APRU Innovation

LA Más Strengthens Housing Stability for 60+ Residents Through Community-Governed Preservation

Destination Crenshaw Upholds Reparative Development in the Advancement of I AM Park

Creating Justice LA Advances Social Belonging, Enterprise, and Justice in Skid Row

Bridge The Digital Divide Brings Digital & AI Literacy to 2,000+ Angelenos

Adventures to Dreams Enrichment Engages 450+ Long Beach Youth Through Gardening and STEM

ACT-LA Advances the People’s Transportation Plan Through Community-Led Transit Justice

A Fighting Chance Opens New Long Beach Facility and Expands Martial-Arts-Based Mentorship 

available in the AI section of our news feed – García shares practical insights, real-world use cases, and emerging research to support nonprofits’ responsible and ethical adoption of AI tools.

Simple Out-of-the-Box Generative AI Uses for Nonprofits

The Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 initiative announced today that Maya Chen joined the staff of the organization, as the social media and communications coordinator.

New Social Media and Communications Coordinator Maya Chen Joins Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 Initiative

UPDATE: The match has concluded and all $10,000 has been allocated! You can still support your favorite nonprofits through our 

 year-round. Thank you for your support!

2025 LA2050 Giving Tuesday Match

As the holidays approach, the spirit of generosity is in the air, and there’s no better time to give back to your community!

Give Back This Season: 102 Volunteer Opportunities Across LA

To help celebrate the incredible organizations and enterprises featured in the

, we are giving away five of the products to one lucky winner via our @LA2050 Instagram account.

Giveaway Rules: LA2050 Social Impact Gift Guide

Get ahead on holiday shopping with the 2025 edition of our LA2050 Social Impact Gift Guide, featuring 90+ products and experiences sourced from local nonprofits, sustainable makers, cultural establishments, and small businesses. There’s something for everyone on your list, at a wide range of price points – and all making a positive impact right here in Los Angeles.

2025 Social Impact Gift Guide – Shop for good!

LA2050 is partnering with The Music Center (TMC) and the Office of LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger to bring an impact-oriented vendor market to the annual LA County Tree Lighting Ceremony. 

Save the Date! LA2050 Joins LA County Tree Lighting Ceremony with LA2050 Holiday Impact Market on Dec. 1st

Join us in celebrating Marion Noble, whose fellowship with LA2050 wraps today!⁠
⁠
Marion first connected with LA2050 as a 2024 Youth Ambassador and youth grantmaking committee participant, even taking the stage to speak during our 2024 Grantee Showcase.⁠
⁠
Then, as the 2025 Goldhirsh Foundation Social Impact and Research Fellow, Marion helped refine and relaunch the LA2050 Youth Ambassador program, supported the LA2050 Grants Challenge, and contributed research across Los Angeles’ social impact landscape. ⁠
⁠
Today, Marion is a first-year Sociology PhD student at USC. Her scholarly interests include race and ethnicity, culture, education, social stratification, and philanthropy and nonprofit organizations. She also serves as a member of the Grants Review Committee for the USC Graduate Student Government.⁠
⁠
Thank you, Marion, for your leadership, heart, and thoughtful partnership throughout this year. We’re so proud of you, and excited to cheer you on in your next chapter!

Thank you, Marion Noble!

Across Los Angeles, Día de los Muertos celebrations honor loved ones who have passed and celebrate the beauty of life through art, music, food, and remembrance. From community altars to large-scale festivals, ofrendas across the county reflect the stories, cultures, and memories that make Los Angeles shine.

 Los Angeles Remembers: Día de los Muertos 2025 Ofrenda & Event Roundup

On October 14, the Goldhirsh Foundation partnered with 

 to present “AI For Social Good,” the fourth 

. (LA2050 is an initiative of the Goldhirsh Foundation).

Goldhirsh Foundation Partners With Bloomberg To Present “AI For Social Good” LA Tech Week Event

Fifty-five Los Angeles-area nonprofit organizations have received grants totaling nearly $3 million through the 2025 LA2050 Grants Challenge, an annual demonstration in participatory grantmaking and open call for ideas to build a more vibrant, thriving, and equitable Los Angeles. The organizations were honored at the LA2050 Grantee Showcase, where Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, and Goldhirsh Foundation President Tara Roth were all speakers.

News Media Covers LA2050 Grantee Showcase

Fifty-five Los Angeles-area nonprofit organizations have received grants totaling nearly $3 million through the 2025 LA2050 Grants Challenge, an annual demonstration in participatory grantmaking and open call for ideas to build a more vibrant, thriving, and equitable Los Angeles.

55 Los Angeles Nonprofits Receive Nearly $3 Million Through Community-Driven LA2050 Grants Challenge

This year was another record-breaker for the LA2050 Grants Challenge!

Record-Breaking LA2050 Grants Challenge Reveals Key Insights Into Los Angeles Community

For almost the past two years, the Goldhirsh Foundation has offered free AI (artificial intelligence) consulting, training, and workshops to LA’s impact community.⁠⁠ The work is led on the Foundation’s behalf by Jen García, Goldhirsh Foundation’s 

 Goldhirsh Foundation Q&A: How 9 Dots is Using AI to Amplify Impact

Happy 244th birthday, City of Los Angeles!

What's Your Vision For Los Angeles? 

On September 4th, the City of Los Angeles turns 244! 🎉⁠⁠

Happy 244th Birthday, Los Angeles!  

Ed. note: Throughout the past 18 months, the Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 initiative have provided complimentary AI (artificial intelligence) consulting, training, and workshops to the Los Angeles impact community. The work is led by Jen García, Goldhirsh Foundation’s 

 – García shares practical insights, real-world use cases, and emerging research to support nonprofits’ responsible and ethical adoption of AI tools.

AI for Impact #2: We Partnered with OpenAI; and a Use Case by Defy Ventures

Goldhirsh Foundation Q&A: Talking AI With the LAFD

“What’s your vision for the future of Los Angeles?”

Visions For LA: Angelenos Share Their Hopes For the Future

Sunday, August 17th is National Nonprofit Day!

Letters to Nonprofits from Youth Ambassadors, in honor of National Nonprofit Day

On August 2nd, Keiko R. stepped off a plane and into the heart of Los Angeles. Just hours earlier, she’d been in Sacramento, spending several days alongside her assembly member, sitting in on meetings and speaking up for the kind of change she believes in: better access to education and literacy resources for all students.

Inside the Celebration: LA2050 Youth Ambassadors Unite for a Day of Reflection, Connection, and Shared Visions

Throughout the past 18 months, the Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 initiative have provided complimentary AI consulting, training, and workshops to the Los Angeles impact community. The work is led on the Foundation’s behalf by Jen García, Goldhirsh Foundation’s 

AI For Impact Monthly: July 2025

Goldhirsh Foundation Partners With OpenAI on ‘AI Nonprofit Jam’

With this school year's commencement season at an end, all of us at the Goldhirsh Foundation and LA2050 congratulate the graduates of the Class of 2025 and their families!

 Four of Our Favorite LA Commencement Speeches: 2025 Edition 

Come join our team as the Social Media and Communications Coordinator. 

Join Team LA2050 as the Social Media and Communications Coordinator

AI, especially as related to ethics and community impact, is a topic the Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 initiative have been tracking since 2019.

New Video Highlights Our AI-Related Work

Happy Pride! This year, we have put together different activities to both celebrate and give back to the queer community during the month of June.

Eight Pride Month Celebrations and Volunteer Opportunities

LA2050, in collaboration with our funding partners, is granting an anticipated $3 million to organizations in Los Angeles County.

Questions about the LA2050 Grants Challenge application? Team LA2050 has the answers!

After more than a decade of reviewing applications for the 

 have identified some common themes in the 

How to Write a Winning LA2050 Grants Challenge Application

The votes have been counted – and grant applications* are open now through June 6th!

2025 Grants Challenge – These are the issues LA voted to fund!

In collaboration with our funding partners, LA2050 is granting an estimated $3 million to the issues that LA cares about most.

Deep Dive: These 13 Issue Areas Are Open For Grants, Now!

 Attendance at a virtual Information Session was required to apply for the 2025 LA2050 Grants Challenge. Our final session took place on May 30th, and we are no longer able to make exceptions. If you have questions about your attendance status, please contact our team at connect@la2050.org.

Want to Apply for the LA2050 Grants Challenge? Start by Attending an Information Session!

Voting has closed in this year’s LA2050 Grants Challenge. 

2025 LA2050 Grants Challenge Voting Has Concluded

We’re excited to share mid-year updates on the incredible work of our 2024 grantee cohort. This year, instead of written reports, our 15 Goldhirsh Foundation winners and five recipients of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s award winners joined us for conversations to reflect on their progress. We’ve transcribed those discussions to highlight key accomplishments, lessons, and what’s ahead for each organization.

Our 2024 Grantees Share Mid-Year Updates! 

Over the past month, we checked in with our 2024 grantees to learn how their funded programs, projects, and initiatives are progressing – and to better understand the impact they’re making across Los Angeles. Now, we are excited to share these interviews, with stories of growth, challenges, and community transformation.

New Earth Equips Systems-Impacted Youth for Success in Digital Media and Emerging Industries

Mentor For Change Builds Stability and Opportunity for Transition-Aged Youth

Kaimore Invests in the Economic Power of Opportunity Youth

Coffee With A Cause Elevates Youth Workforce Development Through Social Enterprise

AHJN Expands Arts and Leadership for 150+ Systems-Impacted Youth to Reimagine Justice in LA County

Tía Chucha’s TransformArte Reimagines Reentry Through Healing and Art

LAFD Foundation Expands On-Site Emergency Care with Advanced Provider Units

ACT-LA’s Community-Driven Vision for Public Transit Justice

A Fighting Chance’s Model of Belonging and Resilience Through MMA

Destination Crenshaw Reclaims Narratives and Keeps Investments Local

Creating Justice LA Advances Community Healing and Economic Justice in Skid Row

Bridge The Digital Divide Empowers Seniors and Youth Through Intergenerational Tech Education

Birthworkers of Color Collective Advances Birth Justice Through Culturally Competent Doula Care

Adventures to Dreams Enrichment Sows Seeds of Opportunity in Long Beach

Pueblo Nuevo’s Avance Teacher Residency Builds a Pipeline of Educators Rooted in Community

EmpowerLA Drives Civic Resilience and Community Power Across LA

LA Más Advances Resident-led Housing in Northeast LA

CCEJ Centers Youth Voices in Restorative Justice

Partnership for Los Angeles Schools Reimagines STEM Education from K to PhD

Grid110 Strengthens Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for Underrepresented Founders 

The Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 initiative announced today that Raina Jia joined the staff of the organization, as a Design Fellow.

New Fellow Raina Jia Joins Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 Initiative

Please join us in thanking our 2025 Outreach Partners for spreading the word about voting across LA County!

Thank you 2025 Outreach Partners!

LA2050 is giving away a coveted pair of tickets to the Kendrick Lamar x SZA Grand National Tour at the SoFi Stadium on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 at 7:00 pm!

VOTE TO WIN! LA2050 Kendrick Lamar x SZA Tickets Giveaway Rules & Restrictions

Earlier this month, LA2050, an initiative of the Goldhirsh Foundation, hosted 

, an interactive seminar that aimed to equip nonprofit leaders and staff with practical artificial intelligence skills to enhance their work.

5 Key Takeaways: AI Tools Training for Nonprofits

We are excited to announce that 330 young Angelenos, ages 14 to 24, have joined the fourth cohort of the LA2050 Youth Ambassador program!

Meet the 330 Awesome Angelenos Serving as LA2050 Youth Ambassadors!

Public Voting Begins Today at LA2050.org; Philanthropic Funding to Follow

What Issues Matter Most to the People of Los Angeles? 

Los Angeles Wildfires: Extended Support

We’re looking for Outreach Partners to help spread the word about the 2025 LA2050 Grants Challenge – where YOU help decide how $1 million will shape LA’s future! 

2025 LA2050 Grants Challenge – Outreach Partners Needed!

The Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 initiative announced today that Marion Noble joined the staff of the organization, as a Social Impact and Research Fellow.

New Fellow Marion Noble Joins Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 Initiative

The Los Angeles wildfires have left a devastating scar, leaving lives disrupted and neighborhoods shattered, but it has also illuminated the love, care, and resilience of Angelenos.

Thank You, Angelenos – Honoring Our Community Heroes

 Los Angeles Wildfires: Safety & Support Guide for Angelenos

Los Angeles Wildfires: Volunteer & Support Guide

: Together, we raised more than $15,000+ from small dollar donors for local nonprofits via our first ever VaLAntine’s Day match on the LA2050 Ideas Hub.⁠ ⁠We are so grateful to all who contributed.⁠ ⁠And, while this match might be over, remember: you can give to your favorite nonprofits on the 

VaLAntine’s Day Match – Double the Love, Double the Impact

The Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 initiative announced today that Dixie Lonergan joined the staff of the organization as the assistant to the president.

New Assistant to the President Dixie Lonergan Joins Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 Initiative 

Thank You, Lauren Song!

The latest happenings from our LA2050 community.

News & Announcements

We’re funding organizations with the best ideas to transform our region – but we can’t do it without you!

Get updates about LA2050 plus social impact job openings, local events and highlights, funding opportunities, and ways you can make a difference in our region.

LA2050 is an initiative driving and tracking progress toward a shared vision for the future of Los Angeles.

During the past few years, social impact leaders throughout the region have shared with us their "Fave Five" LA-area locations to live, learn, create, play, and connect. In this map, you'll find each place and space categorized by pins in our five corresponding LA2050 colors.

Your Favorite Los Angeles Places and Spaces

Features upcoming events hosted by nonprofits, government agencies, cultural institutions, and other social impact organizations in LA.

LA2050 Events Board

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we created this map to highlight some of the many locations around Los Angeles County which memorialize Dr. King and his message. 

10 Places Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. in LA

Get to know LA better through the lens of social impact.

By LA, for LA.