Los Angeles Charities and Non-Profits

20+ Los Angeles Non-Profits and Charities

by

Updated for 2022

Introducing Giving Tuesday, a remarkable worldwide movement centered around generosity that takes place on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. However, let’s remember that acts of kindness are not limited to this one day. We have the power to make a positive impact every single day of the year!

Now, you may wonder how to determine whom to assist or which organization to financially contribute to. Numerous significant charitable organizations and non-profits around the globe require our support, but in this instance, let’s direct our attention to some local organizations here in Los Angeles.

We encourage you to invest your time in acquainting yourself with the valuable endeavors undertaken by each of these organizations within our community, and lend your support in any way you can. Whether it be through a monetary donation, volunteering your time, or contributing clothing, household items, or even holiday gifts, every contribution is greatly appreciated.

Los Angeles Charities and Non-Profits

  • 826LA
  • 1717 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026
  • 12515 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
  • (213) 413-3388

826LA is a philanthropic establishment committed to fostering the development of young individuals aged 6 to 18 in their artistic and informative writing capabilities. Moreover, the organization strives to empower educators in igniting their students’ passion for writing. 826LA provides a wide range of resources including interactive workshops, in-school and after-school tutoring sessions, specialized assistance for English learners, and an array of other valuable services.

If you are interested in contributing to the advancement of these programs, you can find detailed information on how to lend your support through our online platform.

A Place Called Home (APCH)

  • 2830 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90011
  • (323) 232-7653

Sanctuary Named Home “offers a secure and nurturing haven, equipped with established initiatives in the realms of arts, education, and well-being, to empower the youth residing in South Central Los Angeles. Its objective is to uplift their economic circumstances and foster the cultivation of wholesome, purposeful lives.” APCH has dedicated itself to the service of young individuals since 1993, employing a comprehensive methodology that encompasses the requirements of both the child and their family.

This encompasses various forms of aid, such as academic support, mental health guidance, rental assistance, and a myriad of other provisions. For details on how to contribute, kindly refer to the organization’s official website.

Alexandria House

  • 426 S. Alexandria AVe., Los Angeles, CA 90020
  • (213) 381-2649

Since its inception in 1996, Alexandria House has served as a stepping stone for women and children transitioning from emergency shelter situations towards a future of economic independence and stable housing.

Their comprehensive programs encompass a wide array of services including professional development for job readiness, fiscal education to promote financial literacy, and therapeutic support through counseling, amongst many other offerings.

A myriad of opportunities exist for families who wish to lend their support. These include volunteer work, buying items from the Alexandria House’s curated wish list, or making a financial contribution. Comprehensive information regarding these opportunities is conveniently available on their website.

Baby2Baby

  • 5830 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016
  • (323) 933-2229

Baby2Baby ensures that children in impoverished conditions receive essential items such as diapers, clothing, and other fundamental necessities that every child deserves.” Baby2Baby effectively delivers these essentials to locations where they are urgently required, whether it be families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or those devastated by natural disasters. Generous contributions can be conveniently made through their online platform. (Additionally, don’t forget to explore the recently published children’s book titled “A Bear to Share,” authored by Baby2Baby co-CEOs Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein, along with Baby2Baby Ambassador Jessica Alba.)

Big Sunday

  • 6111 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038
  • (323) 549-9944

Big Sunday stands as a remarkable institution, driven by the unwavering belief that every individual possesses the ability to extend a helping hand to others. With an impressive repertoire of more than 2000 opportunities to get involved each year, they offer a diverse range of avenues for individuals to contribute. Whether it’s participating in service projects at their headquarters, aiding in the collection of essential materials for food, book, and school supply drives, joining hands in school beautification endeavors, or countless other initiatives, Big Sunday provides a multitude of options for you to make a meaningful impact. Explore their website today and discover how you can play a part in their noble cause.

Boundless Brilliance

Unbounded Excellence was established with a fundamental and impactful concept: STEM is accessible to all! Our primary objective is to educate, empower, and involve students, aiming to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields. We envision a future where STEM leadership reflects the diversity of our world. Through collaborative partnerships with elementary schools, we provide distinctive hands-on STEM workshops led by relatable role models, completely free of charge.

Moreover, we offer a range of STEM resources such as “We Are Brilliant! A STEM Workbook for Future Leaders,” our engaging SCIENCE Coloring book, and STEM Boxes. Additionally, we create enjoyable and educational videos through our YouTube channel and collaborate with other organizations to organize community-based STEM activities that captivate participants. To complement our initiatives, we have an Etsy shop where you can meet our inspiring “Unbounded Excellence Girls.”

Downtown Women’s Center

  • 442 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90013
  • (213) 680-0600

The Downtown Women’s Center stands as a unique institution within Los Angeles, dedicating its efforts solely to supporting and empowering women who are currently experiencing homelessness or have previously faced homelessness. Since its establishment in 1978, DWC has held a vision of a Los Angeles where every woman has a secure place to call home and is actively progressing towards personal stability. Those interested in making a donation can find the necessary information conveniently accessible online.

Friends of the Children – Los Angeles (Friends LA)

  • 672 S. Lafayette Park Place, Suite 33, Los Angeles, CA 90057
  • 539 W Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster, CA 93534
  • (213) 378-0704

Allies of Youth-Los Angeles (Allies LA) challenges enduring hardships and cycles of trauma and impoverishment through the transformative strength of sustained, professional, and rewarding mentorship. We team up children, aged between 4-6, whose lives have been impacted by foster care and/or child welfare mechanisms, with professional mentors – affectionately termed as “Allies” – from the early years of kindergarten up to the milestone of high school graduation. Our steadfast dedication extends to our young charges and their guardians for a period exceeding 12 years, come what may.

Friends of the LA River (FoLAR)

  • 570 W. Ave 26 #250, Los Angeles, CA 90065
  • (323) 223-0585

Comrades of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) has been dedicated for more than three decades to revive communal bonds and the inherent ecosystem, acting as the most substantial consolidating agent along the River. They have enlightened, empowered, and galvanized over 50,000 Los Angeles citizens to rejuvenate the river’s habitat. FoLAR consistently engages in community-oriented events, educational promotion, digital learning programs, among others. Information regarding contributions can be accessed on their online platform.

Happy Trails for Kids

Creating Joyful Paths for Children is a charitable organization registered under section 501(c)(3) that offers immersive summer camps and various year-round outdoor escapades for youngsters within the foster care system of Southern California. With a staggering population of more than 30,000 children within the Los Angeles foster care system, our organization, Creating Joyful Paths for Children, endeavors to bestow a profound sense of kinship and community upon as many children as we can possibly reach. This noble endeavor is made possible by the invaluable contributions and selfless dedication of our remarkable benefactors and volunteers.

Homeboy Industries 

  • .130 W. Bruno St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
  • (888) 341-1422

Homeboy Industries embarks on a profound mission: to instill hope, impart training, and offer unwavering support to individuals who were once entangled in gangs or recently released from incarceration. The organization fervently believes in granting them the opportunity to redefine their existence and transform into valuable assets within their communities.

With a legacy spanning back to 1988, Homeboy Industries has consistently provided a diverse range of indispensable services, encompassing tattoo removal, mental health support, education, legal aid, employment assistance, and an array of other vital provisions. For those inclined to contribute, detailed information regarding donations can be readily accessed through the organization’s online platform.

Los Angeles LGBT Center

  • Multiple locations including
  • Center WeHo
  • 8745 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

“Established in 1969, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has been tirelessly dedicated to supporting, advocating for, and honoring LGBT individuals and families not only within Los Angeles but also reaching out further afield.” They provide an extensive range of programs and services, which are organized into four comprehensive areas – Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. These services are accessible to all, ensuring inclusivity, and are either offered at no cost or at minimal expense. Contributions towards these causes can conveniently be made through their online platform.

Los Angeles Mission

  • 303 E. 5th St., Los Angeles, CA 90013
  • (213) 629-1227

Alarming Reality: Presently, a greater number of individuals are experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles than at any other point in its history. Los Angeles Mission strives to offer secure havens, nourishing meals, refreshing showers, and vital assistance to those members of our community who are in desperate need. Detailed instructions for making donations can be found on our website.

Los Angeles Music and Art School (LAMusArt)

  • 3630 E. 3rd Street | Los Angeles, CA 90063

This not-for-profit organization, committed to the arts education, is devoted to serving the overlooked youth, offering them career trajectories through high-quality arts programs. They have freshly introduced merchandise crafted by students to their benevolent web store, presenting an opportunity for those seeking a more altruistic approach to gift-giving this year. Every purchase made aids us in accomplishing our goal of providing fair access to arts education for children and teenagers in East Los Angeles and beyond.

We proffer gift cards that can be redeemed for music, art, dance, and drama classes across all age groups. Not to mention, our inventory also includes holiday cards, adorned with designs made by our very own students – these are our top picks for sending heartfelt messages to dear ones or office colleagues!

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

  • 1734 E. 41st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90058
  • (323) 234-3030

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank distributes “food and other essentials to children, seniors, families and other individuals in need.” The Food Bank serves more than 900,000 people each month, because an “estimated 1 in 5 people in Los Angeles County face food insecurity.” There are a number of ways for families to help including donating funds (on a monthly basis or as a one-time donation).

Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House

  • 4560 Fountain Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029

The mission of the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House is to provide comfort, care and support to children and families in Southern California, and their vision is a community where children and their families embrace life and healing with a sense of hope, enthusiasm, courage and joy. Construction for the House began in 1978 on Fountain Avenue across the street from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the third house to be chartered nationally and the first Ronald McDonald House to be built from the ground up.

A new 16-room and garage addition was dedicated in 1994, and in 2008, 40 additional rooms, a kitchen and dining area, game room, full service gym, computer room, and other amenities were added. A unique feature of the House is the long-term housing wing that was designed to meet the special needs of bone-marrow transplant patients. Today, the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House can accommodate 75 families each night and continues to serve as a “home away from home” for hundreds each year. Since its chartering, the House has served more than 30,000 families from all states in the U.S. and more than 45 countries across the world.

People Assisting the Homeless (PATH)

  • (323) 644-2200

“PATH is committed to assisting individuals, families, and communities in overcoming the challenges of homelessness.” Initially established on the Westside of Los Angeles by compassionate members of the community, PATH aimed to provide aid and solidarity to those living on the streets. Presently, PATH has garnered recognition as one of California’s prominent organizations dedicated to addressing homelessness. Their comprehensive range of services encompasses outreach initiatives, housing guidance, employment support, temporary accommodations, permanent supportive housing, and various additional resources.

PLUS ME Project

The PLUS ME Project empowers young individuals in Los Angeles by embracing the art of narrative. Their mission revolves around creating inclusive communities that encourage and appreciate the power of storytelling. Currently, PLUS ME is actively seeking volunteers for Giving Tuesday. On this special day, relatable role models will be matched with virtual classrooms to give back to the youth of Los Angeles by sharing their personal tales of resilience.

Each volunteer undergoes comprehensive training to master the art of crafting a captivating story that resonates with young audiences. They also gain access to drop-in workshops that provide valuable guidance in refining their narratives. Additionally, volunteers have the opportunity to foster meaningful connections with fellow volunteers, thereby strengthening the community.

Project Angel Food

  • 922 Vine St., Los Angeles, CA 90038
  • (323) 845-1800

Project Angel Food dedicates itself to the preparation and delivery of nourishing meals to individuals affected by severe illnesses, offering solace and optimism on a daily basis. The core belief driving their efforts is that “Food is Medicine,” resulting in meals that are specifically customized to meet medical needs. With an impressive output of approximately 21,000 meals per week, Project Angel Food has been faithfully serving the community for over three decades. If you wish to contribute to this remarkable organization, please visit their website to explore how your family can lend a hand.

Red Chair Productions

  • 1812 W. Burbank Blvd, #81, Burbank, CA 91506

Red Chair Productions is a non-profit organization situated in Los Angeles, California. Their primary objective is to enhance the availability of artistic endeavors by providing performance opportunities, fostering community engagement, and extending program support. Annually, Red Chair undertakes the production of The Nutcracker at the renowned Alex Theatre in Glendale, California.

The production showcases the exceptional talent of young dancers, aged 7 to 18, hailing from Los Angeles. Through an inclusive audition process, dancers from various studios across the city are brought together. This year’s rendition includes participants from fifteen distinct dance studios and programs. Demonstrating their commitment to expanding artistic access, Red Chair grants multiple scholarships to encourage the involvement of dancers who may otherwise face financial constraints hindering their participation in the production.

School on Wheels

  • 600 E. 7th Street Ste. 109, Los Angeles, CA 90021
  • (805) 641-1678

The dedicated individuals collaborating with School on Wheels extend their support to young learners spanning from kindergarten to twelfth grade, who find themselves residing in shelters, motels, vehicles, group foster homes, or even on the streets within the Southern California region. Established in 1993, this admirable organization was brought to life by a retired educator, driven by the noble goal of making a difference in the lives of these children. For those interested in contributing to this cause, detailed donation information can be conveniently accessed through their online platform.

St. Vincent Meals on Wheels

  • 2303 Miramar St., Los Angeles, CA 90057
  • (213) 484-7775

St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, established in 1977, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preparing and delivering nourishing meals to elderly individuals and other vulnerable residents throughout Los Angeles. Their mission is to ensure that age, illness, disability, race, religion, or financial circumstances do not hinder access to nutritious meals. Every month, they successfully deliver over 100,000 meals to seniors in need. If you are interested in contributing, please visit their website to explore donation options and find out how you can make a difference.

The Art of Elysium

  • 3278 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010

The Art of Elysium was founded in 1997 and pairs “volunteer artists with communities in Los Angeles to support individuals in the midst of difficult emotional life challenges like illness, hospitalization, displacement, confinement, and/or crisis.” 100 community programs are offered each month which serves over 30,000 individuals a year. Artists then receive support services, “ranging from artist salons and networking events to showcases and distribution opportunities.” Donation information is available online.

Tilly’s Life Center

  • 17 Pasteur, Irvine, CA 92618

Description: Tilly’s Life Center (TLC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering teenagers in overcoming the significant challenges they encounter in their daily lives. Utilizing a proactive methodology, TLC employs experiential learning, journaling, open dialogues, and various engaging activities to support and guide teens in successfully navigating crises, developing positive habits, and unlocking their utmost capabilities.

The program offers flexible options such as a virtual or in-person high school course, an after-school program, or a sequence of workshops. For additional information, kindly refer to their official website.

TreePeople

  • 12601 Mulholland Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
  • (818) 753-4600

TreePeople is a dynamic organization that sparks motivation, fosters active participation, and provides assistance to individuals in assuming individual accountability for the urban surroundings. Their mission is to create an urban environment that is secure, wholesome, enjoyable, and environmentally conscious.

This objective is achieved through a diverse range of strategies such as educational initiatives, community programs, and other impactful endeavors. Families can partake in various opportunities to contribute, including volunteering, tree adoption, monetary contributions, and more. For comprehensive information, please refer to the organization’s website.

WriteGirl

  • 1330 Factory Place, Unit F104, Los Angeles, CA 90013
  • (213) 253-2655

“WriteGirl serves as a dynamic platform for creative writing and mentorship, fostering innovation, analytical thinking, and leadership competencies to embolden adolescent girls.” If the name WriteGirl is new to you, it may catch your attention now due to its renowned former member, Amanda Gorman, who showcased her talent at the Biden-Harris Inauguration in January 2021.

Remarkably, every single adolescent participating in WriteGirl’s initiatives proceed to higher education. You can explore their website for details on contributing through donations.

Writopia Lab

  • 1434 6th Street, Unit 1, Santa Monica, CA 90401

The Writopia Lab, a philanthropic creative writing initiative based in Santa Monica, is driven by a commitment to instill joy, literacy, and critical thought in young individuals from all walks of life. Offering a dynamic, year-round curriculum of diverse creative writing genres, essay composition, and college essay tutorials, Writopia Lab provides engaging, high-value workshops both digitally and in person.

We create a supportive environment where both hesitant and passionate writers, as well as those with unique learning needs, can flourish. Our educational model, focusing on each student’s individual strengths, consistently leads to tangible achievements and recognition every year.

We believe in inclusivity and accessibility, hence families are offered the flexibility to contribute based on an honor-based sliding scale fee system or to apply for comprehensive financial aid. Our steadfast commitment to this principle ensures that no family has ever been denied assistance due to financial constraints.

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