Northeast Valley Best Start Community Grants

Geographic Scope: San Fernando Valley, specifically Northeast Valley and Panorama City & Neighbors areas in Los Angeles, California

Program Type: Community-centered, participatory budgeting grants

LAEP facilitates the Northeast Valley (NEV) Best Start Community and partners with El Nido Family Centers to award grants through a participatory budget process (PBP). Community members identify needs in their neighborhoods and vote on projects that local organizations propose to meet those needs. Grantees then invite the community to participate in projects and report back on progress.

Focus Areas: Past projects have included:

• Multicultural storytimes
• School wellness lounges
• Cultural events
• College scholarships
• Activities to explore nature
• Community art
• Mental health workshops
• Community murals
• College preparation workshops

2023-2024 Grantees: (most recent cycle)

• Champions in Service (NEV)
• Child and Family Guidance Center (PCN)
• Discovery Cube Los Angeles (NEV)
• Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC Schools) (NEV)
• Urban Partners – LA Baby Cooperative (PCN)
• YMCA (PCN)

Total Investment: $450,000 across six organizations in 2023-2024 ($225,000 invested in Northeast San Fernando Valley)

Contact Information:

• Los Angeles Education Partnership
• 1541 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 200
• Los Angeles, CA 90017
• Phone: (213) 622-5237
• Email: info@laep.org

Background: This is the third year LAEP has awarded these grants as of 2023. In 2022, three organizations received $70,000 each ($210,000 total). The participatory budget process involves training NEV Best Start Committee members on the PBP methodology to manage the process annually.

Application Process

The application process follows a participatory budgeting approach:

1. Community Needs Identification: LAEP and community members identify pressing needs in the Northeast Valley/San Fernando Valley area
2. Project Proposals: Local organizations propose projects designed to address the identified community needs
3. Community Voting: Community members vote on which proposed projects should receive funding
4. Grant Award: Selected organizations receive grants and are required to:
   • Invite community members to participate in the project
   • Report back to the community on project progress
5. Implementation: Grantees implement projects over the course of the funding year

Note: Specific application materials, forms, deadlines, and submission procedures are not detailed in the available website content. Contact LAEP directly for current application information and timeline.