The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners this week awarded 124 sponsorships totaling $376,000 to promote local groups advancing causes such as the arts, environment, social justice and historic preservation.
Since 2007, the Port of Long Beach has given more than $9 million to the community through its sponsorship program, supporting community groups’ events and projects that make Long Beach a better place to live and work, while also helping the Port communicate about its projects and programs with local residents and other audiences.
Requests for sponsorship funding are open twice each year, in March and September. For the 2020 fiscal year that began Oct. 1, the board approved a $1 million budget for the program.
“Long Beach has an abundance of wonderful organizations that produce impressive events and programs. We’re honored to be able to support them through our sponsorship program,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal. “It’s a way for us to strengthen our commitment to the community while bringing awareness to the Port’s important role in the region.”
Events sponsored for this call include the Cambodia Town Culture Parade and Festival, the Shared Science 2020 Tech Girls Workshop, Long Beach Homeless Coalition’s LB Homelessness Ally Program and the Community Action Team’s 30‐Minute Beach Cleanups.
Port staff members attend select sponsored events to provide information about the Port. As part of a sponsorship agreement, recipients also give the Port promotional opportunities at events to spread awareness about its mission.
The Port of Long Beach is one of the world’s premier seaports, a gateway for trans-Pacific trade and a trailblazer in goods movement and environmental stewardship. With 175 shipping lines connecting Long Beach to 217 seaports, the Port handles $200 billion in trade annually, supporting more than 575,000 Southern California jobs.
