Citi Foundation Grants a Collective $9 Million to Nine Southern California Nonprofits Working Locally to Increase Economic Opportunity in Latest Expansion of the Community Progress Makers Initiative

Each of the nine organizations is set to receive $1 million in unrestricted funding over three years as well as access to a learning community and network of Community Progress Makers across the country

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Citi Foundation (“the Foundation”) today announced that nine nonprofits based in Southern California have been selected as part of the fourth cohort of the Community Progress Makers initiative.

First launched in 2015, Community Progress Makers provides unrestricted funding to visionary organizations that work locally to connect low-income communities to greater economic opportunity. With this latest cohort, the Foundation has now committed $115 million in grants to Community Progress Makers since its inception.

The current cohort of Community Progress Makers has been selected through an open request for proposals (RFP) process announced this past fall, which focused on organizations working in the areas of affordable housing and access, economic development, financial health and workforce readiness.

“Unrestricted grant support is in high demand and low supply and we have witnessed how transformational this type of funding can be for community organizations,” said Brandee McHale, President of the Citi Foundation and Head of Citi Community Investing & Development. “This is why we are pleased to support the innovative solutions and deep community work that the organizations in this fourth cohort of Community Progress Makers are leading across Southern California through flexible, trust-based funding.”

“This is an inspiring group of community organizations working to improve the lives of underserved communities in Southern California,” said Collene Greenlee, Southern California Marketplace Leader and North America Head of Consumer Products and Retail Industry, Citi Commercial Bank. “Issues like affordable housing, economic development and financial inclusion are pressing and I look forward to seeing how each changemaker leverages the Citi Foundation’s support to extend their reach.”

All recipients will have access to a learning community where they can collaborate and share best practices with a network of Community Progress Makers across the country, as well as receive technical assistance delivered by national experts and leading researchers. Combining their local expertise and track record of community impact with a national network of resources and changemakers, these nonprofits are poised to accelerate their community-based work in Southern California.

"In my work serving Los Angeles County's 2nd District, I have seen first-hand the impact that nonprofit organizations can have in helping to meet the needs of our shared constituency. Inclusive Action for the City, PCR Business Finance, and New Economics for Women are great examples of organizations stepping up to deliver services and resources to our communities," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. "Philanthropic initiatives like this are important in supporting nonprofits to expand in size, scope, and outreach that will positively impact the lives of more Angelenos."

These are the community organizations selected to the fourth cohort of Community Progress Makers in Southern California:

• Central City Neighborhood Partners
• City Heights Community Development Corporation
• Inclusive Action for the City
• Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services
• New Economics for Women
• Orange County Community Housing Corporation
• Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment
• PCR Business Finance
• Ventura County Community Development Corporation

"With this program, the Citi Foundation is unlocking a national network of changemakers and pool of resources to help advance NPHS’ work at the local level,” said Clemente Mojica, CEO, Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services. “We are honored to participate in this new phase of Community Progress Makers and advance our work improving the financial health of individuals and creating equitable communities through innovative housing solutions.”

For more information, please visit citifoundation.com/cpm and follow the impact these organizations are making at #ProgressMakers on social media.