Cedars-Sinai Supports Local Nonprofits with $21 Million in Grants

Cedars-Sinai has deepened its commitment to the care and wellbeing of Los Angeles residents, awarding $21.2 million in grants to more than 150 local nonprofit organizations. 

During the fiscal year that ended June 30, Cedars-Sinai supported organizations working to reduce homelessness, increase access to healthcare and provide healthy and locally grown food to people across Los Angeles who are experiencing food insecurity.

“Cedars-Sinai is grateful to partner with nonprofits who understand that the health of Los Angeles relies on our steadfast commitment to each other,” said Erin Jackson-Ward, DrPH, executive director of Grantmaking and Social Impact for Cedars-Sinai. “From responding to the impacts of wildfires across the city to making sure every family experiences a healthy and joyous birth to housing and feeding our neighbors, we will continue to assist organizations showing up every day for our communities.”

As part of Cedars-Sinai’s Black Birth Equity grantmaking initiative, the medical center awarded $2 million to 13 organizations offering free or low-cost access to doulas and midwives, lactation support, mental health treatment and birth worker retention strategies. The funding included $200,000 to the Charles Drew University Black Maternal Health Center of Excellence. The center is developing a postpartum support program to train 100 students and providers in community-based models of care and to enable home visitation and behavioral health services for 400 families.

Cedars-Sinai earmarked $1.2 million in grants for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles to strengthen local social safety nets that are supporting a growing number of older adults experiencing homelessness. Services provided through the United Way include coordinated health and homelessness services, rental assistance, shared housing assistance and multigenerational housing opportunities.

A $500,000 grant to Pukúu Cultural Community Services and the Relatives Home Collaborative is supporting local Native American community-based organizations, Tribes and Tribal entities, also with the goals of decreasing homelessness and improving housing opportunities in Native American communities.

Since 2020, Cedars-Sinai’s grantmaking blueprint has focused on ensuring no Angeleno goes hungry. The medical center’s approach addresses food access not only as a health issue but as a tool to connect those in need to many vital resources.

Eleven organizations received $775,000 in grants to help eliminate food insecurity in South Los Angeles. The funding included $250,000 to the L.A. Food Policy Council to create a South L.A. food hub and farm cooperative, and $25,000 to ALMA Backyard Farms to broaden distribution of healthy food to vulnerable community members. 

In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires in January, the medical center allocated more than $250,000 toward wildfire relief and recovery efforts. That included contributions to the Los Angeles Fire Department Wildfire Emergency Fund and the Institute of Popular Education of Southern California Essential Workers Fund. Cedars-Sinai has pledged to continue collaborating with its many partners to assist with recovery needs throughout the long rebuilding process.

“As part of our enduring mission, Cedars-Sinai works shoulder-to-shoulder with community-based nonprofits that are building a better future for all Los Angeles residents,” said Peter L. Slavin, MD, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai and the David and Meredith Kaplan Presidential Chair. “We pledge to continue bridging gaps to improve healthcare access and sustain vital services where people need it most.”

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Newsroom: Cedars-Sinai Builds Community Partnerships to Address Health Equity