LA’s BEST Community Resource Network Initiative

Community safety

Other South LA Central LA San Fernando Valley City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

Research (initial work to identify and understand the problem)

Communities across Los Angeles are rich in potential but often face fragmented access to programs that support children and families from birth through career. With federal funding for holistic, place-based initiatives under threat, there is a growing need for nonprofits and community partners to unite in coordinated, neighborhood-rooted efforts. Too often, families are unaware of the full range of services available to them, resulting in missed opportunities for support. By building an integrated network of resources and relationships, we can create a seamless, high-quality experience that empowers families, amplifies community assets, and ensures every child has the tools to thrive–academically, emotionally, and economically–through every stage of life. By bringing together the collective power of a community, we can ensure that Los Angeles remains a vibrant and resilient city that supports its residents through resource-sharing, empowerment, and collective ownership.

This initiative will bring together key philanthropic and community organizations and leaders in a collaborative funders forum to explore and amplify investments that support children and families in South Los Angeles, Central Los Angeles, and the Northeast Valley (as a starting point). By convening these trusted leaders and partners, we will foster a shared vision and collective commitment to build a coordinated network of resources that maximizes community strengths and impact. We will also conduct research and outreach to learn from similar successful initiatives nationwide, ensuring our approach reflects best practices and local wisdom. Through meaningful engagement with neighborhood stakeholders, service providers, and elected leaders, this collaborative effort will generate momentum and alignment around a community-driven strategy–long desired by residents and leaders alike–to create seamless cradle-to-career pathways. This foundational work will set the stage for a sustainable, collective model that empowers families, strengthens community bonds, and expands opportunity across generations. We will prioritize community voice by inviting local leaders to co-create solutions and shape decision-making. By building strong, trust-based partnerships rooted in mutual accountability, this effort will uplift the expertise within communities and reinforce a long-term ecosystem of shared support.

Success for this initiative will transform the City of Los Angeles by creating a strong, connected ecosystem where families in South Los Angeles, Central Los Angeles, and the Northeast Valley, and beyond can readily access coordinated support resources ranging from early childhood through career readiness. Communities will benefit from a collective approach that amplifies local assets, strengthens partnerships, and removes barriers to opportunity. Children and caregivers will experience a seamless pathway of high-quality services, empowering them to thrive academically, socially, and economically. This model will serve as a blueprint for expanding coordinated, community-driven collaborations across other neighborhoods in Los Angeles county, fostering opportunity and resilience on a larger scale. Ultimately, the initiative will nurture empowered communities that shape their own futures, creating lasting positive impact for generations to come.