Posted on October 16, 2009

California Community Foundation Awards $2 Million to Engage Underserved Citizens

The California Community Foundation has announced eighteen grants totaling $2 million to Los Angeles-area nonprofits working to promote census outreach among diverse populations, community partnerships, and immigrant integration initiatives.

More than one-third of the awards, which range from $60,000 to $200,000, provide general operating support to existing grantees. Recipients include the Muslim Public Affairs Council, which provides census outreach to Arab Americans; People Assisting the Homeless, which works to empower homeless people and provide census outreach; the Filipino American Service Group, which provides health and social services to low-income Filipinos and others in Los Angeles; and Puente Learning Center, which delivers English language programs in the workplace.

"There are so many misperceptions around the census that keep people from participating, especially among underserved communities of color," said California Community Foundation president and CEO Antonia Hernández. "In these times of dire need, it is critical that they participate not only to become active members of civic society, but also to ensure L.A. County receives the federal dollars for services that correspond to our vast population."