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LA2050 Blog

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.

The portrait subjects are also each sharing what issue they care most about – see below for their responses.

And don’t forget, make your own voice heard by answering

Meymuna Hussein-Cattan | Nonprofit Leader

 matters deeply to me as I was born in a refugee camp and have spent my life walking alongside families rebuilding after displacement. Los Angeles is shaped by the courage of those who cross borders in search of safety, dignity, and opportunity. When we invest in immigrant and refugee families, we strengthen small businesses, preserve culture, and build more resilient neighborhoods. Yet systemic barriers still limit access to housing, employment, and education. LA thrives when we create meaningful pathways to belonging and economic mobility for people who have already shown extraordinary resilience.”

"This is just one of many important issues, but it has affected me and many others. 

 I moved from an unshaded LA neighborhood to a very shady Pasadena area, and the difference is life-changing. Trees and shade are better for the environment, for humans, for children, for animals, for physical and mental health. Trees and shade should not be a privilege of the wealthier classes, but should be a part of any democratic and just place."

Portraits by Goldhirsh Foundation artist in residence Man One.

“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 

During the next 36 days, Angelenos can answer five questions about the issues they believe are most important for the region. Those selections will lead later this year to dozens of grants for non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and government agencies working in Los Angeles County to address them.

“Los Angeles, whatever our challenges, is a magnificent and magical metropolis,” said Tara Roth, president of the Goldhirsh Foundation and its 

 initiative. “Thank you to everyone who takes the time each year to share their voice through our survey, and, welcome to everyone joining the movement for the first time.”

More than one million votes have been cast since the 

 launched in 2013. In each of the past four years, housing and homelessness has been the issue most frequently selected by voters. Other recurring high-ranking issue areas include health care access, community safety, and green space, park access, and trees.

The LA2050 Grants Challenge is just one aspect of the work undertaken by LA2050 and the Goldhirsh Foundation. For example, the Foundation recently launched the Halftime Institute (working title), an invitation-only 

 for social impact sector executives, and the Foundation’s AI executive-in-residence provides 

artificial intelligence consulting, training, and workshops 

to hundreds of members of the Los Angeles impact community and beyond.

Portraits Project Highlights Influential Angelenos

The theme of the 2026 LA2050 Grants Challenge is “What Do You Say, LA?”

, the Goldhirsh Foundation’s first-ever artist-in-residence, is creating digital portraits of influential Angelenos from fields such as science, business, literature, art, athletics, music, food, and the non-profit sector.

Each portrait will be accompanied by a few words from the subject explaining why that particular issue matters most. The portraits will debut this week on the @LA2050 Instagram and @LA2050_ TikTok accounts.

Collaboration Drives the Grants Challenge

The LA2050 Grants Challenge is a collaborative effort. Last year, the Goldhirsh Foundation and 11 philanthropic funding partners provided nearly $3 million in grants to 55 Los Angeles non-profit organizations. This year’s initial list of participating foundations will be announced soon.

Meanwhile, approximately 500 LA2050 Youth Ambassadors and 100 Outreach Partners – non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and government agencies – are working to ensure that communities across Los Angeles are represented during the voting period. Last year, votes were cast from 96 percent of LA County residential ZIP codes.

The LA2050 Youth Ambassador Program empowers young Angelenos ages 14 to 24 to drive positive change through civic engagement, leadership development, and participation in the Grants Challenge. During the program’s four years, more than 1,000 young people have participated, including a select group serving on the LA2050 Youth Ambassador Leadership Council.

Additionally, next week LA2050 will announce another collaboration – a special promotion with a prominent healthy eatery with numerous locations

First, Angelenos vote on the issues they believe matter most. Voting takes place March 18 through April 22nd at LA2050.org/vote and takes about two minutes to complete.

New this year, nonprofits, social enterprises, and government agencies considering applying for a grant 

 a mandatory organizational screening by April 22nd and attend a webinar by April 20th before submitting a proposal.

Then, between April 29th and June 5th, nonprofits, social enterprises, and government agencies selected to apply after their organizational screening can submit proposals addressing the 10 top-voted issue areas, as well as additional issues sponsored by funding partners.

Winning organizations will be announced in late September during the annual LA2050 Grantee Showcase, where dozens of grantees will each receive up to $75,000 in funding, along with ongoing social capital support and skills training.

Since launching in 2013, the LA2050 Grants Challenge has given $23 million in grants to local impact organizations, including $12 million from the Goldhirsh Foundation and $11 million from philanthropic partners; supported more than 300 winning proposals; inspired $6.5 million in giving from other donors; spotlighted 

5,100 innovative ideas from 3,100 local organizations;

 and received 1,030,000 public votes in support. For many organizations, the LA2050 Grants Challenge has provided their first funding or the first significant public exposure for their ideas.

 (LA2050.org) is an initiative that tracks and advances progress toward a shared vision for the future of Los Angeles. It focuses on five goals to ensure that, by 2050, Los Angeles will be the best place to learn, create, play, connect, and live.

The Goldhirsh Foundation (goldhirshfoundation.org) connects emerging innovations with the financial, social, and human capital needed to help them thrive.

LA2050 Grants Challenge Asks Angelenos What Issues Matter Most 

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

What Do You Say, LA?

LA2050 and Everytable are partnering to give 1,000 cookies to voters in the LA2050 Grants Challenge.

Angelenos just have to vote for the issues they care about and show their completed "Thank you for voting" screen to a cashier at a participating Everytable store to receive a free cookie.

As a part of this year’s LA2050 Grants Challenge, the Goldhirsh Foundation’s LA2050 initiative is partnering with Everytable to give away 1,000 free cookies across participating Everytable locations.

Starting March 26th, people can go to any Los Angeles County Everytable location and receive a free cookie in exchange for showing proof that they voted in this year’s LA2050 Grants Challenge.

Participating is easy! Follow these simple steps:

Show the cashier you voted by showing them the screen that says “Thank you for voting!”

This opportunity is limited to Everytable stores in Los Angeles County and only available while supplies last. An individual can only receive one free cookie and must show proof of voting in store.

LA2050 Blog

LA2050 and Everytable are Giving Away 1,000 Chocolate Chip Cashew Cookies! Here’s How to Get Yours:

At a Glance