The Play Equity Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, California, dedicated to bringing the transformational power of sport and structured play to all children, regardless of their race, gender, zip code, or socio-economic status. The organization also operates under the name "The LA84 Sports Institute."
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.0M
+79.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+258.4% YoY
Grant Count
28
+115.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$41K
+66.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Play Equity Fund's mission is to bring the transformational power of sport and structured play to all children, regardless of their race, gender, zip code, or socio-economic status.
The organization supports programs across four primary areas:
- Support programs that address and advocate for social justice through sport
- Support programs that advocate for gender equity through sport
- Support national sports legacy programs that provide meaningful sports-based youth development related programming
- Support programs that increase knowledge and awareness of the importance of equity in sports
The organization also operates several direct initiatives, including SAMbassadors and Youth Idea Exchange programs, and supports sport and education linkages such as the Science of Sport Exhibit at the California Science Center and STEM and technology of sports educational programs.
Grantmaking
Recent grants made by the organization include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization operates primarily in Los Angeles and California, with some support for national sports legacy programs.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,143,150 |
| Total Revenues | $1,177,865 |
| Total Expenses | $2,534,413 |
| Total Giving | $350,600 |
The organization maintains a strong financial position with assets exceeding $6 million and demonstrates consistent grantmaking activity.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,034,646 | $6,143,150 | $8,091,209 |
| Revenue | $7,411,080 | $1,177,865 | $4,138,874 |
| Expenses | $2,555,072 | $2,534,413 | $5,067,343 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $26,783 | $8,056 | $217 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
144 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Project Blue - (formerly Kids & Cops Making a Difference) ($110,200), Inglewood Unified School District ($90,000), Los Angeles Parks Foundation ($89,899).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PROJECT BLUE - (FORMERLY KIDS & COPS MAKING A DIFFERENCE) CARSON, CA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $110,200 |
| INGLEWOOD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT LOS ANGELES, CA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $90,000 |
| LOS ANGELES PARKS FOUNDATION LOS ANGELES, CA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $89,899 |
| AFTER-SCHOOL ALL-STARS LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $60,200 |
| BOYLE HEIGHTS YOUTH FOOTBALL LOS ANGELES, CA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $60,200 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF WEST SAN GABRIEL VALLEY AND EASTSIDE MONTEREY PARK, CA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $60,200 |
| EVERYBODY DANCE LA LOS ANGELES, CA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $60,200 |
| HOLLENBECK POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE LOS ANGELES, CA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $60,200 |
| PROYECTO PASTORAL LOS ANGELES, CA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $60,200 |
| STREET SOCCER USA INC NEW YORK, NY | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $60,200 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Renata Simril
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RENATA SIMRIL | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| WILLIAM O'BRIEN | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| LISA WEHRLY | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JOSEPH LUMARDA | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH ALEXANDER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WENDY CHANG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TERRY FEIT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GINA GALASSO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY GLASSMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT GRAZIANO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WENDY GREUEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEVE KAPLAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEPHANIE QUESADA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| FRANK SANCHEZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STASIA WASHINGTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARQUISE WATTS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARCIA SUZUKI | TREASURER | 5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Play Equity Fund fund?
The Play Equity Fund's mission is to bring the transformational power of sport and structured play to all children, regardless of their race, gender, zip code, or socio-economic status. The organization supports programs across four primary areas: • Support programs that address and advocate for social justice through sport • Support programs that advocate for gender equity through sport • Support national sports legacy programs that provide meaningful sports-based youth development related pro…
How do I apply for a grant from The Play Equity Fund?
**Grant Activity (2023):** Recent grants made by the organization include: | Grantee | Grant Description | Amount | |---------|-------------------|--------| | Our Own | Program Support | $95,000 | | Inglewood Educational Foundation | Program Support | $95,000 | | Its Bigger Than Us | Program Support | $35,600 | | Thinkwatts Foundation | Program Support | $55,000 | The organization has demonstrated flexibility in its grantmaking approach, including pandemic-responsive initiatives. During COVID-1…
Where does The Play Equity Fund make grants?
The organization operates primarily in Los Angeles and California, with some support for national sports legacy programs.
What size grants does The Play Equity Fund award?
In 2024, The Play Equity Fund awarded 28 grants totaling $1.2M — an average of about $41K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Play Equity Fund's EIN?
The Play Equity Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1295322. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Play Equity Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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