LA River Corp. Vies for $50K Grant

Bank of the West announced Sept. 23 there are three non-profits in the running to win a $50,000 cash grant through Bank of the West’s fourth annual award for Innovation in Philanthropy. The following three finalists were chosen from more than 225 nominees in the 19 western states in which the bank operates: 

• LA River Revitalization Corporation, Los Angeles, California
• Beats Rhymes and Life, Inc., Oakland, California
• Momentum Alliance, Portland, Oregon
  

The nonprofit winner will be determined through public voting on the bank’s Facebook page.

From Sept. 23 to Oct. 4, members of the public are encouraged to view the video profile for each finalist, consider each organization’s mission and community work, then vote for the nonprofit of their choice. Supporters are allowed one vote a day, every day through Oct. 4. The organization with the most votes will receive the $50,000 cash grant. The two runners-up will each receive a $10,000 cash grant.

“The Innovation in Philanthropy Award is a rare opportunity for a rising nonprofit to be recognized for its programs and community efforts,” said Alec Gorynski, community affairs manager at Bank of the West, in a statement. “These three finalists exemplify extraordinary leadership and have taken innovative approaches to how they effect change in their communities. We look forward to hearing from our Facebook and regional communities as they vote on the organization of their choice, and to celebrating the work of our nonprofit partners who are dedicated to making our neighborhoods a better place to live and work.”

"Winning the Bank of the West Innovation in Philanthropy Award would help support our general operations and other efforts, like this past summer's Bike-In Movie Series that helped promote the revitalization of the Los Angeles River and surrounding communities," said Omar Brownson, executive director of LA River Corp.