LA84 Foundation Grant Program

The LA84 Foundation supports youth development through sport, emphasizing programs that improve the lives of young people—particularly youth of color, low-income youth, and girls and young women. With a firm belief in the power of sport to yield positive health, emotional, and educational outcomes, the Foundation prioritizes equity-focused approaches that broaden access and opportunity. It also centers its investments on school-based and community-rooted programs in high-need areas, particularly within Southern California. Two distinct grant tracks are available: Large Grants, which require a Letter of Interest (LOI) during a specific submission window, and Small Grants, which are open for applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. The Large Grant LOI period for the current cycle is open from December 1 to December 19. For Small Grants, applicants can apply year-round without a deadline. Regardless of grant size, all applicants begin by submitting a LOI, which is reviewed within 90 days. Successful organizations are invited to submit a full application, including budget documents, IRS and state tax documents, board lists, and financial statements. For applicants with gross revenue above $2,000,000, audited financials are required; others may submit unaudited alternatives. LA84 funds a broad range of programs that serve youth under 18, especially in underserved communities. Supported initiatives include those that offer free or low-cost exposure to multiple sports, emphasize the inclusion of girls and young women, increase access for youth with disabilities or who are LGBTQ/gender nonconforming, and use sports as a vehicle for broader youth development outcomes. The Foundation supports staffing, equipment purchases, facility renovations, and new program models under the Sports-Based Youth Development (SBYD) framework. To ensure youth safety, LA84 will not fund programs that involve tackling or concussive impacts in children under 14 in certain sports (e.g., boxing, rugby, football, martial arts, soccer). Programs involving these sports must follow established, sport-specific safety guidelines from national governing bodies. Additionally, LA84 does not fund sectarian or religious purposes, land purchases, political activities, endowments, or individual schools. The Foundation favors system-wide or multi-school efforts over isolated school sites. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits in good standing with California’s Franchise Tax Board and operate in Southern California counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and others. Programs must also demonstrate a commitment to youth safety through formal written policies. While the Foundation may occasionally fund one-day events or research, such programs are lower priorities under its current strategy. Overall, LA84’s grantmaking reflects a deep commitment to equitable youth development through sport. Its structured application process, clear eligibility requirements, and rigorous safety standards demonstrate a thoughtful and intentional approach to funding programs with the potential to create lasting community impact.

Prioritize equity and youth safety; avoid deep specialization; focus on access and inclusion.