Who can volunteer for a better LA? YOU can!

Each year, LA2050 awards more than $1 million to nonprofits and other social impact organizations working to create a better Los Angeles through the LA2050 Grants Challenge. Our approach to grantmaking is unique: we ask Angelenos to determine the issue areas that will receive funding – from homelessness and income inequality to park access – through voting.

For the 2024 LA2050 Grants Challenge, as part of our work to engage more Angelenos in creating change, we launched a brand-new volunteer activation effort. Our goal was to provide meaningful opportunities for people to impact the issues that matter most to them during the voting period, complementing their online votes.

We opened applications in January, planning to provide $5,000 mini-grants to 12 organizations. We sought engaging events that could accommodate at least 20 volunteers with minimal barriers to participation. The response exceeded our expectations: we received 323 proposals for volunteer activations, leading us to double our impact and fund 24 organizations at that $5,000 apiece amount.

The 24 selected mini-grant recipients proposed a diverse range of activation ideas: cleaning up a local beach, helping a former foster youth move into their first home, assembling lunches for those in need, beautifying an elementary school garden, teaching older adults to use technology, and much more.

We were delighted to see these events come to life from April 2nd to May 8th, with more than 3,500 people coming together to contribute almost 9,500 hours of service across Los Angeles.

In the spirit of collective action, volunteers of all ages showed up to the activations and contributed their time and talents to make our region a better place. We were also excited to have many of this year’s 187 LA2050 Youth Ambassadors attend events as one aspect of their participation in the Youth Ambassador program.

At each event, participants were also invited to vote in the LA2050 Grants Challenge. We estimate that about 10 percent of the 15,000 voters in this year’s Grants Challenge were engaged through one of the volunteer events and their host organizations.

Below are highlights from each of the 24 volunteer activations.

LA-Tech.org – April 1st-5th, Virtual

LA-Tech.org invited volunteers that work in the tech sector to host virtual mock interviews for its scholars, who come from backgrounds that are underrepresented in tech. Volunteers offered essential interview support, industry insight, and professional advice in one-on-one sessions for more than 50 total hours of engagement. In addition to providing tangible advice, these volunteers helped the LA-Tech.org scholars gain confidence as they set their sights on jobs in tech.

Defy Ventures – April 3rd, Virtual

Defy's volunteer event was part of its 17-week Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, aimed to equip individuals with criminal histories with essential business skills. Volunteers shared expertise in small groups, engaging in purposeful networking and guiding participants through business planning and strategy. And, apart from the activation, Defy also brought paper ballots for the Grants Challenge to individuals incarcerated inside California state prisons and gave them a chance to vote.

Library Foundation of Los Angeles – April 5th-6th, Los Angeles State Historic Park in DTLA

The Library Foundation of Los Angeles invited volunteers to support the 2024 LA Maker Faire – an annual gathering of more than 20,000 STEM enthusiasts – alongside Los Angeles Public Library staff. Volunteers assisted exhibitors with transporting materials, provided directional and general information to guests, kept the event site clean, and shared information about the LA2050 Grants Challenge voting opportunity. Volunteers even helped guests vote on their phones.

North East Trees – April 6th, North East Trees’ Nursery in El Sereno

In celebration of Earth Month, North East Trees invited participants to immerse themselves in the intricacies of living systems at its Hyperlocal Native Plant Nursery in El Sereno's Ascot Hills Park. Volunteers engaged in native habitat restoration: planting 100 native seedlings, learning about invasive plant management, practicing native plant propagation, and engaging in nature-based arts and crafts. The activation was a hands-on opportunity to participate in environmental stewardship and the preservation of the local ecosystem.

L.A. Works – April 13th, Los Angeles River Center and Gardens in Cypress Park

L.A. Works brought together 150 volunteers to create 420 personalized New Home Kits for unhoused individuals transitioning into new, permanent homes, including former foster youth and families with children. Each kit was presented in a reusable canvas tote, decorated by volunteers, and packed with essential household items and handwritten notes of congratulations and support. The beneficiaries of the New Home Kits were Alexandria House, a transitional residence for women and children, and Depaul USA - Casa Milagrosa, a day resource center for women, men, and children experiencing homelessness.

Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) – April 13th, Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo

HOLA’s Eisner Intergenerational Orchestra, composed of 88 volunteer musicians of all ages, presented Romantico!, a free concert for the community featuring select movements from Romeo and Juliet. Joined by pianist Ray Ushikubo and a trio of actors: Lukas Jann, Vimbai Ushe, and Eric Braeden, the orchestra played for a full house of art supporters. Romantico! Not only brought together generations to make music, but also provided the community with a unique cultural experience.

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) – April 17th, CHIRLA’s Headquarters in Pico Union

For its volunteer activation, CHIRLA hosted volunteers at its Unleash Your Artist event to create posters for the then-upcoming May Day march, which focuses on the fight for immigrant human rights and labor rights. More than 250 posters were created, with compelling images and slogans in both English and Spanish, to be used at the march. Most of the posters were then taken home with participants following the march, and some were saved for future CHIRLA use.

Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) – April 20th, Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve in Van Nuys

FoLAR’s Earth Day Habitat Restore & Renew event brought together community members to contribute to the preservation and renewal of LA’s natural ecosystems. Nearly 400 volunteers joined to remove invasive vegetation in the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve, with a particular focus on black mustard. Volunteers removed 16,345 gallons of invasive plants from 1.08 acres in the reserve, breaking FoLAR’s previous single-day restoration records.

Garden School Foundation – April 20th, 24th Street Elementary in West Adams

Volunteers joined Garden School Foundation to help prepare the garden for the next planting season at 24th Street Elementary’s school garden. The 45 participants built three new ADA-compliant raised beds, refreshed the murals in the outdoor classroom, cleared the back garden to make room for new bed installations, and repotted new seedlings to support the site’s food production farming program. Los Angeles City Councilmember Heather Hutt (CD-10) also stopped by to support the activation and learn about the edible plants in the garden.

Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium – April 20th, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro

More than 200 volunteers came to Cabrillo Marine Aquarium to clean Cabrillo Beach and the surrounding coastal park. Participants removed 609 pounds of trash from the beach, which helped to restore the local environment; and learned about the impacts of microplastics on ocean animals. After the beach cleanup, volunteers attended the Earth Day Fair at the Aquarium!

Inclusion Matters by Shane's Inspiration – April 20th, Maple Park Inclusive Playground in Glendale

Inclusion Matters by Shane’s Inspiration invited volunteers to help foster a welcoming and fun environment for participants of all abilities to play together at its inclusive playground. The event brought 28 dedicated volunteers and more than 90 eager attendees. Volunteers facilitated activities such as succulent potting, face painting, book giveaways, sidewalk chalk, and playing on the inclusive playground.

Heal the Bay – April 20th, Santa Monica State Beach in Santa Monica

More than 1,700 volunteers joined Heal the Bay for the largest of the volunteer activations: a cleanup day at Santa Monica State Beach. Together, the volunteers focused on picking up ocean-bound trash, including harmful plastic, and successfully removed more than 345 pounds of debris from the coastline. Beyond beautifying the beach, participants also contributed to valuable research on the amount of trash accumulating at local beaches.

Community Partners 4 Innovation – April 20th, Lopez Urban Farm in Pomona

At Lopez Urban Farm, 50 volunteers with Community Partners 4 Innovation worked side by side, tilling soil, clearing weeds, and setting up new garden beds. Ten new garden beds were established, soil was primed for planting, and more than 200 seedlings were planted into the earth, ensuring a fruitful harvest in the months ahead. The day culminated in a farm-fresh picnic lunch, providing a rewarding conclusion to a day of meaningful contributions to the local community and environment.

Bob Baker Marionette Theater – April 21st, Los Angeles State Historic Park in DTLA

At Los Angeles State Historic Park, volunteers supported Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s annual festival, Bob Baker Day. More than 25,000 people attended this free, family-friendly celebration of puppetry, art, performance, and community.To make it happen, a group of more than 120 volunteers helped with everything from setting up stages and hosting art workshops for all ages. Bob Baker also promoted LA2050 Grants Challenge voting to festival attendees at its information booths.

CicLAvia – April 21st, Venice Blvd. in West Los Angeles

CicLAvia brought its open-streets celebration to Venice Blvd., closing the road and giving Angelenos the chance to walk, skate, and ride their bikes free from cars. Almost 100 volunteers were instrumental to creating this day of safe streets fun, helping at car crossing intersections, distributing event information, answering questions from the public, and guiding participants to dismount and walk through pedestrian-dense event hubs. Volunteers also promoted LA2050 Grants Challenge voting at each of the event hubs.

Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association – April 22nd, Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park

Volunteers at the Los Angeles Zoo’s activation crafted 50 unique enrichment items for the animals using paint brushes and donated and recycled materials. These items provide exercise for the animals, and promote their overall health and wellbeing. After the activity, volunteers enjoyed a fascinating Keeper Talk at the California Sea Lion exhibit and had the chance to explore the grounds of the Zoo.

Inner City Law Center – April 24th, Inner City Law Center Headquarters in DLTA

Inner City Law Center transformed its parking lot for Community Connect Day, a resource fair aimed at helping vulnerable members of the Skid Row community access legal services, food, health care, housing support, and more. Community volunteers supported event planning, outreach, and day-of tasks and made participants feel welcomed and supported. In total, the event served more than 75 individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Healing California – April 27th, South Los Angeles

At the Community Builder’s Group Health Fair near the University of Southern California, Healing California volunteers provided free dental and vision exams, as well as needed treatments, to community members who struggle to get care otherwise. Volunteers included dentists, optometrists, hygienists, dental assistants, and optical technicians. In total, the team treated 43 dental patients and 86 vision patients during the one-day health fair.

Friends of Ballona Wetlands – April 27th, Ballona Wetland Ecological Reserve in Playa del Rey

At its annual Earth Month Community Habitat Restoration event, Friends of Ballona Wetlands worked at four sites essential to the health of the local ecosystem. At Ballona Creek, 76 pounds of trash were removed. At the Riparian Habitat, a large patch of invasive species were removed. During activities at the Culver Dunes Habitat, volunteers spotted a California Legless Lizard, a special-status species. Meanwhile, at North Dunes, invasive species were cleared to make way for native flora such as the Silver Dune Lupine and Arroyo Willow.

Pasadena Village – April 27th, The Shakespeare Club in Pasadena

For its activation, Pasadena Village hosted an IT Cafe for 29 older adults in collaboration with Ayuda Técnica para Mayores, an organization founded by local high school students. Pasadena Village invited volunteers to provide free 1:1 IT support in English and Spanish to older adults. The most tech-savvy volunteers helped guests resolve IT-related issues on their phones, tablets, and computers. Other volunteers welcomed attendees, helped with refreshments, and facilitated a puzzle swap.

#HashtagLunchbag – April 27th, Linden Los Angeles Hollywood

Volunteers were invited to join #HashtagLunchbag for a day of giving back through packing food with love. Together, they prepared and assembled 1,000 meals and wrote 1,000 notes for neighbors in need. The completed lunch bags were distributed that same afternoon by #HashtagLunchbag and its community partners, helping individuals facing food insecurity to receive tangible support and encouragement.

Para Los Niños – April 27th, Para Los Niños Charter Elementary School in DLTA

Para Los Niños hosted a “baby shower” to collect and distribute in-kind donations for new and expecting mothers enrolled in its programs. There were decorations, music, and information about their programs. Through this drive-up donation opportunity, volunteers were able to collect items for and pack 50 baby shower kits for Para Los Niños mothers. The kits consisted of a diaper bag full of essential supplies, a box of diapers, a box of wipes, and a bag of new children's clothing. Para Los Niños also made sure to engage the mothers and families in voting, through distributing postcards.

A Sense of Home – April 27th, South Los Angeles

A group of 20 volunteers teamed up with A Sense of Home to furnish a new apartment for a transition-aged foster youth, welcoming her to her next phase. The team unloaded a moving truck full of donated items, installed appliances, arranged furniture, and added decorative personal touches, ensuring that the space was both functional and comforting. At the end, the volunteers had the chance to reveal the finished space to the new resident.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) – May 4th, Habitat LA’s Lancaster and Holmes Developments

Volunteers gathered across two construction sites to help build homes for Habitat LA partner families. The events took place in South Los Angeles and Lancaster – eight new homes are under construction on each site. Volunteers on the ground and up on ladders worked hard measuring, cutting, and painting trim and siding. Once the houses are completed, 16 Habitat LA partner families will eventually call them home.