Shaping LA’s Future: Public Voting Opens for LA2050 Grants

The LA2050 Grants Challenge invites Angelenos to vote on the top issues facing Los Angeles, helping direct $3 million in funding to organizations working to build a more connected and resilient region.

1 minute read

March 25, 2025, 10:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


Downtown Los Angeles skyline viewed from the northwest on a sunny day with scattered clouds.

Newport Coast Media / Adobe Stock

The LA2050 Grants Challenge has officially opened its annual public voting period, offering Angelenos the opportunity to influence how $3 million in grant funding will be distributed to local organizations. Led by the Goldhirsh Foundation with support from a broad coalition of philanthropic partners—including the Annenberg Foundation, Hilton Foundation, and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation—the initiative allows residents to vote on key issues impacting the region. The 2025 theme, “LA Together,” reflects a renewed emphasis on community connection and resilience, especially in light of recent local wildfires.

Online voting is available through April 18 at LA2050.org/vote, open to people of all ages and in 12 different languages. Voters will answer five questions to identify the top priorities for Los Angeles, and the top 10 issues selected will guide the focus of the grant cycle. From April 28 to June 6, eligible nonprofits, social enterprises, and government agencies can apply for funding based on these priorities and other partner-sponsored topics.

Winners will be announced during the LA2050 Grantee Showcase in late September, with selected organizations receiving up to $75,000 and additional support like skills training and networking opportunities. The challenge also involves a network of over 60 Outreach Partners and LA2050 Youth Ambassadors to mobilize community engagement. In 2024, over 15,000 residents cast more than 105,000 votes, with housing and homelessness emerging as the top concern.

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in MyNewsLA.com

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A swamp in South Carolina with tall pale trees and Spanish moss in the water.

Satanic Place Names

From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.

2 hours ago - The Daily Yonder

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight