2022 Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards (Recap)

April 25, 2022

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Letter from the Publisher

Josh Schimmels

With all that is going on in the world, corporate philanthropy – and the spirit of generosity in general – play an even more important societal role than ever.

There are many important and meaningful organizations right here in Los Angeles County doing incredibly important work and we have taken the opportunity to thank and celebrate some of the very best of them with our Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards.

Held on April 20th, this free virtual event gave us a chance to shine a spotlight on the impactful and often heroic work performed by the nonprofit organizations, philanthropic companies, and individual leaders, volunteers and donors in the Greater Los Angeles community. These are the people and organizations that have made a difference.

The award honorees and finalists are all detailed in these pages, and as you’ll see, it is an incredibly inspiring class. From the tireless work of nonprofit leaders, teams and programs, to the efforts of individuals and companies who donate their time, funds, and efforts to improve the communities they serve – it was truly a pleasure to pay tribute to this unique Community of Business™.

Another highlight of the event was a fascinating keynote presentation by Alex Wilson, co-founder of the Giving Block; and a spirited and insightful panel discussion bringing together some of Los Angeles’ most insightful nonprofit decisionmakers.

Thanks are due to our section sponsors who make this volume possible and many thanks to you, our readers who have taken the time to consider the needs of your community.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER & PANELISTS

Alex Wilson (KEYNOTE)
Co-Founder
The Giving Block

“When the pandemic hurt traditional fundraising efforts, nonprofits began looking for a new ways to fundraise. The Giving Block made it easy for nonprofits to connect with donors, helping to fundraise over $100M for over 1,000 charities.”

Randy Barth
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Think Together

“When looking to invest in corporate social responsibility initiatives, leaders of organizations first look to causes that are mission-aligned, then ask what
movements or causes their customers will find mission or valued aligned. From there, you will find synergy among leaders and success toward your desired results.”

Dr. Blayne Cutler, MD, PhD (Moderator)
President and Chief Executive Officer
Heluna Health

“Heluna Health is a collaborative team of diverse professionals that partners with organizations in all sectors to enhance the health, wellness, and resilience of every community we serve. We help communities identify and address their most pressing population health challenges. Corporate partnerships enable Heluna Health to achieve our mission and advance health equity for all.”

Helen Han
Business Development Manager
R&D Incentives Group

“The ERC program is the most beneficial tax provision available to nonprofits that had to modify their operations and/or services due to government mandates related to COVID-19.”

Christina Quezada
Director of Corporate Relations
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

“The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is successful thanks to our partners, including the incredible corporations, organizations and foundations that give their time and treasure to alleviate hunger in their communities.”

Gregg Sherkin
SVP for Southern California Social Impact and Sustainability
Wells Fargo Bank

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 2022 HONOREES

For the list of Finalists:

click here

Inside This Supplement:

Nonprofits Pivot, Claim ERC with RDIG’s Help
Charity. Equity. Integrity. When thinking of the values of nonprofit organizations, what words come to mind?… Read More

Providing a Pillar of Food Assistance Support
For more than 40 years, Westside Food Bank has served as the warehouse hub for social service agencies with food assistance programs on the Westside of Los… Read More

Crypto Philanthropy: Fundraising for the Next Generation
Over the past five years, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have gradually made their way into the philanthropy space. Ever since the Pineapple Fund granted roughly $55… Read More

Enriching the Lives of Children and Adults with Learning Differences
In 1946, a group of parents in Los Angeles pooled their resources to create a daycare program for their children with developmental disabilities. Over the years, Exceptional Children’s Foundation (ECF) has become a recognized… Read More

A Day in the Life of a Think Together Student
Since opening its doors as a single afterschool program operating out of an apartment building 25 years ago, Think Together has impacted two million students… Read More

Meeting Unmet Mental Health Needs and Trauma
Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) is one of the largest and most comprehensive social service and mental health agencies in Los Angeles… Read More

Nonprofit Organ Procurement Organization Welcomes Seamless Leadership Shift
OneLegacy, the nonprofit organ procurement organization (OPO) serving seven counties in Southern California, announced earlier this month the promotion of chief operating officer and chief… Read More

Sparking Economic Mobility for Women to Make Impact in Underserved Communities
New Economics for Women (NEW), a proud honoree for Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2022 Nonprofit of the Year Award, is a California-based nonprofit organization founded in 1985 and the first Latina… Read More

Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic and New Challenges
The past two years have been incredibly challenging for the work of the Los Angeles
Regional Food Bank and our many partners. With a population of 10 million… Read More

Nurturing Future Leaders through Music & Innovation
Music and the arts have a profound impact on students and their communities. According to ongoing research, the benefits of learning music in school are deep and… Read More

From the Super Bowl to Spring Into Play, the Play Equity Fund is Focused on Reaching Youth
Guided by our commitment to providing youth equal access to play and sport as a
fundamental right and to invest in Los Angeles communities, the Play Equity… Read More

Providing Crucial Services for Children and Families
Right now, too many children are being abused and neglected, and too many families lack the support, knowledge, or ability to care for their children… Read More

A Closer Look at Nonprofit Trailblazer Alyce Morris Winston
In 2019, Alyce Morris Winston, founder and CEO of The Jeffrey Foundation was honored
with a “Trailblazer” Award from the Los Angeles Business Journal Women’s Council & Awards for her foresight… Read More

A Wayfinder Moment: She Started Seeing
Gina was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her first foster child. After having two biological children, she and her partner were ready to adopt… Read More

Combating 85% Unemployment with Social Enterprises
People with developmental disabilities face a staggering 85% unemployment rate, but when you talk to Mychal’s Learning Place founder Ed Lynch, “it’s not because they don’t have the abilities.”… Read More

Where Community, Art and Civic Engagement Converge
As one of the largest, most highly regarded performing arts centers in the nation, The Music Center has long been at the forefront of innovative, critically acclaimed arts experiences… Read More

Providing Affordable Housing and Support Services
Since its founding in 1983, LA Family Housing (LAFH) has become the largest affordable housing and supportive services provider in the… Read More

Why Health Equity Matters
Equity is the only acceptable goal,” wrote the medical anthropologist and global health physician Dr. Paul Farmer… Read More

Impacting Lives and Creating Memories with the Super Bowl Champs
The Los Angeles Rams organization recognizes its unique ability to help raise awareness and funds for causes and issues relevant to their fans and community… Read More

Going Beyond the Clinic Walls to Help Communities Grow Healthy
Zoila Escobar serves as the senior vice president and chief administrative officer of AltaMed Health Services, the nation’s largest independent federally qualified health… Read More

Working Collaboratively in the Fight to End Alzheimer’s
Last year, the Los Angeles Business Journal recognized the Alzheimer’s Association
California Southland Chapter’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s California Southland… Read More