$845,000 in Port Sponsorships Benefits Nonprofit Events, Programs

Harbor Commission OKs 250 awards for local groups

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved 250 sponsorships totaling $845,110 to local nonprofit groups through the Port of Long Beach Community Sponsorship Program.

The Community Sponsorship Program funds community events and activities that help inform residents about the Port. The awards support a diverse group of community nonprofits centered on the environment, education, social justice, the arts and historic preservation.

The list of approved sponsorships can be found here.

“This program is a win-win for the Port of Long Beach,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “We are supporting groups that make our city a better place to live and work while also spreading the word about the important role the Port has in supporting the local, regional and national economies.”

“It is our responsibility as public servants to broaden access to the opportunities and economic benefits created by the international trade facilitated right here in our city,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal. “The Community Sponsorship Program is one way we accomplish this, and we are continuing to build this initiative’s reach to help the hard-working organizations which connect us and improve lives.”

Groups applied in September for this round of sponsorships. More than 40% of the applications were first-time requests. The Port accepts sponsorship applications three times a year, in January, May and September.

The next open application period for sponsorships will be Jan. 1-31. The Commission has approved a $3 million sponsorship budget for fiscal year 2025. More information about the Community Sponsorship Program can be found at www.polb.com/sponsorships.

The Port of Long Beach is a global leader in green port initiatives and top-notch customer service, moving cargo with reliability, speed and efficiency. As the premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the Port handles trade valued at $200 billion annually and supports 2.6 million jobs across the United States, including 575,000 in Southern California. In 2024, industry leaders named it “The Best West Coast Seaport in North America” for the sixth consecutive year. During the next 10 years, the Port is planning $2.3 billion in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability.