Our Funders
Watts Rising is proud to have obtained critical funding to support our efforts to foster a healthier Watts. Our funding portfolio includes both public and private funds that are focused on issues related to the economic, environmental, and physical health of the Watts community.
Transformative Climate Communities
Funding Agency/Organization:
Strategic Growth Council
Grant Purpose:
The Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program funds community-led development and infrastructure projects that achieve major environmental, health and economic benefits in California’s most disadvantaged communities. TCC empowers the communities most impacted by pollution to choose their own goals, strategies and projects to enact transformational change – all with data-driven milestones and measurable outcomes. This program is administered by the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) which coordinates the activities of State agencies and partners with stakeholders to promote sustainability, economic prosperity, and quality of life for all Californians.
Partners:
40 + organizations, more info on Our Partners page.
Grant Term:
2019- 2024
Choice Neighborhood Implementation (CNI) Grant
Funding Agency/Organization:
United States Housing & Urban Development Department (HUD)
Grant Purpose:
In 2020, Watts Rising received a $35M grant with $21M devoted to the redevelopment plan for the Jordan Downs housing development, $5.25M devoted to People Development, and $5.25M (plus CDBG leverage below) dedicated to the Neighborhood Development. The Neighborhood Projects build upon the suite of TCC projects while also providing additional funding for economic opportunity, community beautification, placekeeping, and climate resilience. The People initiative is led by Children’s Institute Incorporated (CII) and includes case management for Jordan Downs residents in addition to direct service provision through our leverage partners. Learn more about our CNI-funded projects by visiting the Our Projects page.
Partners:
WLCAC, Macedonia Community Development Corporation, Coalition for Responsible Community Development, Habitat for Humanity, TreePeople, GRID Alternatives LA
Grant Term:
2020-2026
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Funding Agency/Organization:
United States Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
Grant Purpose:
As a part of Watts Rising’s successful HUD CNI award, the City of Los Angeles was required to commit 5% of its annual CDBG allocation to CNI projects to ensure the City is invested in the success of the projects. Watts Rising’s CDBG award is $5,433,479 (5% of Program Year 46’s [2019] allocation), to be allocated over the course of the 6-year CNI grant period. The City of Los Angeles’ Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD) manages the City’s CDBG allocation.
Partners:
RedEye, ThinkWatts, Watts Labor Community Action Committee, Thomas Safron & Associates, Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiatives, Morning Star Baptist Church, Streets LA, Los Angeles Department. of Cultural Affairs, and Watts Century Latino Organization
Grant Term:
2021-2036
Community Partnerships to Advance Science for Society (ComPASS)
Funding Agency/Organization:
National Institutes of Health
Grant Purpose:
The ComPASS program provides an unprecedented opportunity to design innovative intervention projects that focus on social determinants of health for community-empowered research. The program will enable communities and researchers to work collaboratively as equal partners in all phases of the research process to enhance the quality of interventions and advance health disparities research. The intent of this research is to improve health outcomes in communities affected by health disparities and inform social policies, systems, and practices to achieve optimal health for all. Rather than tackling inequities one disease, organ system, or life stage at a time, ComPASS will develop an NIH-wide strategy to address structural factors that impact multiple dimensions of health.
Partners:
The Community Engaged Research Program at the UCLA Clinical Translational Science Institute, Charles Drew University, Watts Rising Community Leadership Council
Grant Term:
2023 - 2033
Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)
Funding Agency/Organization:
U.S. Department of Transportation
Grant Purpose:
In June 2023, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) was included as a recipient of a RAISE grant from the US Department of Transportation. This grant presents a unique opportunity for HACLA to engage the community and address the key priorities of Watts residents. With a focus on infrastructure improvements related to transportation, pedestrian and bike safety, and accessibility, RAISE funding will be used to implement planning, design, and construction on key community-identified projects. HACLA will be awarded a total of $6,987,923 to address obvious mobility challenges, and to create a more vibrant and resilient community for the future. Specifically, RAISE funds will support:
1) the design to renovate the Rainbow Bridge, a pedestrian bridge in Watts that crosses the railroad tracks and provides access to Markham Middle School;
2) development of the Watts Cultural Trail;
3) street improvements on the Wilmington Ave corridor;
4) an initiative to develop a safe route for students at Grape St elementary school.
Partners:
City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering, Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiatives, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
Grant Term:
2024-2030
U.S. Congress Member Nanette Barragan Community Project Funding
Funding Agency/Organization:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Grant Purpose:
Through the Office Of Congressmember Nanette Diaz Barragán, California’s 44th Congressional District, HACLA applied for funding under this new opportunity and received $860,000. This funding will provide additional support to complete the development of new parks at the Jordan Downs public housing community and a new field at Nickerson Gardens public housing community. The funding will also help foster STEM/STEAM learning at community garden projects throughout the area, increase access to healthy food and green jobs, and expand the tree canopy.
Partners:
North East Trees, Strength Based Community Change (SBCC), Watts Clean Air and Energy Committee (WCAEC)
Grant Term:
2022 - 2030
Urban and Community Forestry Grant (U&CF)
Funding Agency/Organization:
Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Grant Purpose:
The Forest Service selected 385 grant proposals from entities working to increase equitable access to trees and nature, and the benefits they provide for cooling city streets, improving air quality, and promoting food security, public health and safety. The Urban and Community Forestry Program is the only program in the federal government dedicated to enhancing and expanding the nation's urban forest resources. This is the largest single USDA Inflation Reduction Act investment to date in urban and community forests.This project will focus on expanding the Green Ambassador Program, conducting a tree inventory, establishing an urban food forest, mitigating the urban heat island effect, and promoting community education and awareness. These efforts will foster environmental stewardship, address disparities, and create sustainable and resilient communities.
Partners:
The Michaels Organization, North East Trees, WLCAC, Markham Middle School
Grant Term:
2024-2029
Clean California
Funding Agency/Organization:
Department of Transportation (CALTRANS)
Grant Purpose:
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) developed the Clean California Local Grant Program through which funds will go to local communities to beautify and improve local streets and roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways, and transit centers. Through the combination of adding beautification measures and art in public spaces along with the removal of litter and debris, this effort will enhance communities and improve spaces for walking and recreation. HACLA received funds from Rounds 1 and 2 of the Clean California program to support the development of parks in the Jordan Downs redevelopment and to develop a Green Ambassador program at housing developments to organize community clean-ups and educate local residents.
Partners:
The Michaels Organization, Bridge Housing
Grant Term:
2022-2024 (Round 1); 2023-2025 (Round 2)
Youth Community Access Grant
Funding Agency/Organization:
California Department of Natural Resource
Grant Purpose:
The Youth Community Access Program is a competitive grant program that supports youth access to natural or cultural resources with a priority for communities disproportionality affected by past state and federal drug policies as well as other underserved communities. The Watts Rising Youth Ambassador Program was selected as a 2023 grantee and will support the development of a cadre of Watts youth to focus on local environmental concerns. In addition, the funds will provide the opportunity for local youth to go on overnight camping trips to State and National Parks in California as well as provide opportunities for career development and education.
Partners:
Jordan High School, Verbum Dei High School and Simon Tech High School
Grant Term:
2024-2026