The LA Galaxy Foundation

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OVERVIEW: This professional soccer team funder supports education, wellness and sports-oriented causes working mainly in Los Angeles County, where it is based.

IP TAKE: The philanthropic offshoot of the L.A. Galaxy professional soccer team maintains only a simple webpage attached to the team’s larger website. While grantmaking supports some small- and medium-sized schools and sports programs, this funder is not particularly accessible. Networking with past grantees or volunteering at a team-related event could open the door here.

PROFILE: Based in Carson, California L.A. Galaxy Foundation is the grantmaking arm of the LA Galaxy professional soccer team in Los Angeles. Its mission is “to advance the game of soccer and use it as a vehicle for positive change throughout Southern California communities.” Grantmaking and engagement focus on “improving access to youth sports and health + wellness resources, while serving as champions for inclusion in our communities.” This funder maintains a simple webpage at the Galaxy’s team site, limiting detailed information about its grantmaking practices.

Grants for K-12 Education

The L.A. Galaxy Foundation does not name specific goals for its education grantmaking, but Los Angeles-area K-12 schools and educational programs number significantly among this funder’s grantees. Grants have supported Carson High School, the Garden School Foundation, Pasadena’s John Muir High School and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson.

Grants for Public Health and Mental Health

The L.A. Galaxy Foundation’s grantmaking for health and mental health appears to prioritize accessible services for children and youth. Grantees in these areas include A Place Called Home, the Children’s Institute and the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. The foundation has also given to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Other Grantmaking Opportunities

A major component of this funder’s giving concerns programs that bring sports and, specifically, the game of soccer to children and teens in communities in Southern California. A grant supported the Special Olympics of California, Playworks, which “helps kids to stay active and build valuable life skills through play,” and the TM23 Foundation, which develops and restores playing outdoor playing fields in the Los Angels area. The foundation has also supported the Los Angeles-based Academia de Futbol Juvenil Amatense, which provides “access to organized soccer programs for youth in rural communities throughout Central America.” and builds “grassroots community spaces around the beautiful game.”

Important Grant Details:

This foundation’s grants have ranged from about $8,000 to $100,000.

  • Grantmaking is mainly limited to Los Angeles County.

  • Children and youth are the foundation’s priority populations.

  • Soccer is a main theme within this funder’s grantmaking.

  • The L.A. Galaxy Foundation does not appear to accept applications for funding, and does not provide a direct avenue for getting in touch. Social media handles for Galaxy team are linked to the bottom of the webpage.

  • For additional information about past grants, see the foundation’s recent tax filings.

For general inquiries, this funder may be contacted via telephone at 310-630-2200 or via email at galaxycommdev@lagalaxy.com.

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