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2023 LA2050 Grantee Cohort Receive Nearly 300 Commendations From 17 Elected Officials

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At the 2023 LA2050 Grantee Showcase, foundations, social entrepreneurs, media members, elected officials, and district staff representatives came together to celebrate 42 social impact organizations working to make Los Angeles a better place.

The event, held at Second Home Hollywood on September 28, served as the culmination of the year’s LA2050 Grants Challenge process, as well as the public launch of new relationships with an incredible cohort of nonprofits.

Thank you to all the public servants who joined us at the Grantee Showcase, and to the 13 elected officials who sent along nearly 300 letters, recognitions, certificates, and scrolls to honor this year’s grantees.

Poignantly, given the timing, all of the groups received a letter of congratulations signed by Sen. Diane Feinstein. The letter read in part:

“The commitment [that the LA2050 Grants Challenge awardees have] demonstrated to the vision of Los Angeles is truly an inspiration to us all.… Through [their] efforts, [they] have worked to ensure that all Angelenos can enjoy a sustainable, equitable, healthy, and culturally vibrant future.”

The Senator passed away later that evening, at the age of 90, having served 31 years in the Senate, after being the first female mayor of San Francisco. We offer sincere condolences to her family, friends, constituents, colleagues, and members of her office. Many of our grantees were overjoyed to receive recognition from the Senator, and now they each have their own artifact to remember her legacy.

Here is a comprehensive list of the letters and certificates and scrolls presented at the 2023 LA2050 Grantee Showcase, from seventeen elected officials:

  • Congratulatory letters from the office of US Senator Dianne Feinstein
  • US House of Representatives Certificates of Special Recognition from the office of Congresswoman Maxine Waters
  • Assembly Certificates of Recognition from the office of California State Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo
  • Assembly Certificates of Recognition from the office of California State Assemblyman Mike A. Gipson
  • Assembly Certificates of Recognition from the office of California State Assemblyman Chris Holden
  • Assembly Certificates of Recognition from the office of California State Assemblyman Miguel Santiago
  • Senate Certificates of Recognition from the office of California State Senator Ben Allen Allen
  • Senate Certificates of Recognition from the office of California State Senator María Elena Durazo
  • Senate Certificates of Recognition from the office of California State Senator Caroline Menjivar
  • Senate Certificates of Recognition from the office of California State Senator Anthony J. Portantino
  • Senate Certificates of Recognition from the office of California State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
  • LA County scrolls from the offices of LA County Supervisor Hahn, LA County Supervisor Solis, LA County Supervisor Mitchell, LA County Supervisor Horvath and LA County Supervisor Barger
  • Certificates of Recognition from the office of Long Beach City Mayor Rex Richardson

In addition to the much-deserved accolades for the 42 social impact organizations receiving grants on September 28, 2023, the Goldhirsh Foundation and its LA2050 initiative were also presented with a Los Angeles Commendation from the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors and a State of California Senate Certificate of Recognition from the 25th Senate District.

The Commendation states, “In recognition of dedicated service to the affairs of the community and for the civic pride demonstrated by numerous contributions for the benefit of all the residents of Los Angeles County.”

The State of California Senate Certificate of Recognition states, “In recognition of your LA2050 Grants Challenge on behalf of the California State Senate, I join the Los Angeles community in thanking you for your outstanding efforts to help foster innovation. Your work to promote forward thinkers focused on solving the problems facing Los Angeles is truly commendable. I thank you for your commitment to collaboration and progress. Best wishes on all your future endeavors!”

In addition to all of the materials from elected officials, elected officials and staff members came to the 2023 LA2050 Grantee Showcase. Special thank you for speaking to:

  • California State Senator Anthony J. Portantino of California’s 25th State Senate District
  • LA City Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez of LA City Council District 1

And thank you for being present to connect with constituent organizations doing vital work:

  • Meghan Choi from the Office of LA City Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez
  • Tamela Omoto-Frias from the Office of LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis
  • Fredericka McGee from the Office of LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell
  • Monica Banken from the Office of LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger
  • Andrés Garcia from the Office of California State Senator Caroline Menjivar
  • Davis A. Han from the Office of California State Senator Ben Allen
  • Omer Sohail from the Office of California State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
  • Emily Adsit from the Office of LA City Councilwoman Heather Hutt

🎥 Watch the full playlist of videos from the LA2050 Grantee Showcase here.

AuthorTeam LA2050