NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Pacific Life Foundation announced $2.4 million in grants, ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, to nearly 200 nonprofit agencies serving Southern California during an early Monday evening reception. Overall, the Pacific Life Foundation has committed to provide $5.6 million in charitable funding throughout 2012.
A highlight of the evening was a special presentation of the Walter B. Gerken Community Service Award, along with a $25,000 grant, to the Aquarium of the Pacific (AOP). The Foundation began its partnership with the world-class aquarium in Long Beach nearly a decade ago, when the Whales: Voices in the Sea exhibit (underwritten by the Foundation) debuted at AOP and has since expanded to five other venues nationwide. Another highly successful collaboration with AOP was the development and implementation of the Seafood for the Future program, which ensures more sustainable seafood is offered in restaurants and markets throughout Southern California.
The Pacific Life Foundation provides grants to nonprofit agencies that engage in the areas of arts and culture; civic, community, and environment; education; and health and human services.
Arts and Culture
Eleven nonprofit organizations from Southern California received grants within the Arts and Culture category. The following organizations were awarded grants of $10,000: Arts Orange County, Laguna Playhouse, and Shakespeare by the Sea.
Civic, Community, and Environment
Sixteen organizations from Southern California received grants within the Civic, Community, & Environment area. Those receiving grants of $10,000 include: American Red Cross Orange County Chapter, Bolsa Chica Conservancy, Child Care Connections, and Oceana. Those receiving a grant in excess of $10,000 included:
- GroundWork group – A $50,000 contribution towards a $150,000 pledge to support the Executive Director’s position as he promotes effective use of technology to help build the capacity of local nonprofit organizations.
- Southern California Public Radio – $15,000 in operating support to help sustain a full-time reporting presence in Orange County.
Education
Within the Education area, 52 Southern California nonprofit agencies received grants. In particular, the following received grants of $10,000: Boys & Girls Club of Santa Ana, Boys & Girls Club of Westminster, Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley, Claremont Graduate University (Applied Women’s Studies), El Viento Foundation, Environmental Nature Center, Friendly Center, Ocean Institute, Orange County Community Housing Corporation, Parent Institute for Quality Education, PBS SoCal, Philharmonic Society of Orange County, Pretend City, Project Access, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, THINK Together, UCI SAGE Scholars Program, and Vital Link. Agencies receiving a grant over $10,000 included:
- CSU Fullerton/Center for Insurance Studies: $30,000 for general operating support for their Insurance/Actuary Program for undergraduates at CSUF’s College of Business and Economics.
- Junior Achievement of Orange County: A $15,000 grant to help fund their economic education programs in K-8 schools in Santa Ana.
- MIND Research Institute: A $100,000 grant towards a multi-year commitment of $500,000 to support their Orange County Math Initiative program which elevates student math achievement in Orange County K-8 schools that perform in the lower three deciles of the Academic Performance Index.
- South Coast Repertory: A $20,000 grant to underwrite the Theatre for Young Audiences, a series of three stage productions designed especially for undeserved K-12 children.
In addition, the Pacific Life Foundation announced it will contribute a total of $381,000 in direct grants to 118 Southern California K-12 schools where there are concentrations of children or grandchildren of Pacific Life employees. A 3T’s of Education grant must be designated to one of the following areas: Teacher Training, Textbooks, or Technology.
Health and Human Services
Within the Health and Human Services category, 95 Southern California agencies received grants. Agencies who received $10,000 grants include: AccessOC, AIDS Services Foundation Orange County, Alzheimer’s Association Orange County Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics – California Chapter 4, Assistance League of Capistrano Valley, Assistance League of Santa Ana, Blind Children’s Learning Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Anaheim, Canine Companions for Independence – Southwest Region, Canyon Acres Children and Family Services, Children Now, Children’s Dental Center of Greater Los Angeles, Children’s Health Initiative of Orange County, CHOC Foundation, Community Action Partnership of Orange County, Community Connect, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County, Discovery Eye Foundation, Eli Home, Family Assessment, Counseling & Education Services, Family Assistance Ministries, Foothill Family Shelter, Friendly Center, Friendship Shelter, H.O.M.E.S., Health Funders Partnership OC, Hoag Hospital Foundation, Inland Valley Hope Partners, Irvine Adult Day Health Services, J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, Mission Hospital’s Camino Health Center, Mercy House Living Centers, Oak View Renewal Partnership, Phoenix House of Orange County, Providence Speech & Hearing Center, Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center, Saint Anselm’s Cross-Cultural Community Center, Share Our Selves, South County Outreach, Thomas House Temporary Shelter, UCI Foundation/Center for Diabetes Treatment and Research, Women Helping Women, and Working Wardrobes for a New Start. Recipients receiving larger grants included:
- Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Services – A $75,000 grant to support their $2.5 million “Second Step Transitional Housing Expansion” capital campaign. The expansion will include eight new apartments in Fullerton for homeless families, as well as provide a variety of health and human services to help the families work toward a life of independence.
- Laura’s House – A $75,000 grant to support their new domestic violence shelter in South Orange County. The new facility will increase the shelter’s annual capacity by 93% allowing Laura’s House to annually serve 175 additional women and their children who are victims of domestic violence.
The Pacific Life Foundation has pledged to contribute a total of $560,000 towards marine mammal protection and education programs in 2012 and it will provide approximately $300,000 in matching funds for Pacific Life employee donations to United Ways throughout Southern California in 2012.
The Pacific Life Foundation was established in 1984. Together with Pacific Life, the Foundation has contributed donations totaling over $68.3 million to thousands of nonprofits. It expects to contribute $5.6 million in grants to nonprofits throughout 2012. For more information about the Pacific Life Foundation, visit its website at www.PacificLifeFoundation.com.
Offering insurance since 1868, Pacific Life provides a wide range of life insurance products, annuities, and mutual funds, and offers a variety of investment products and services to individuals, businesses, and pension plans. Pacific Life counts more than half of the 100 largest U.S. companies as its clients. For additional company information, including current financial strength ratings, visit Pacific Life online at www.PacificLife.com.
Pacific Life refers to Pacific Life Insurance Company and its affiliates, including Pacific Life & Annuity Company. Client count as of May 2011 is compiled by Pacific Life using the 2011 FORTUNE 500® list.