Long Beach Harbor Commission OKs $370,195 in Sponsorships

Supports community groups focused on arts, education, environment

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved 137 community sponsorships totaling $370,195, capping off a year of Port awards that highlight the Port of Long Beach’s role in international trade and dedication to social responsibility.

With the latest sponsorships, the Port has awarded a total of $746,195 in the current fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, 2019, for 261 total events representing a wide cross-section of the city and causes such as the arts, environment, social justice and historic preservation.

“The Community Sponsorship Program is a great opportunity for the Port to bring awareness to its role as an economic engine while championing organizations that do great work,” Executive Director Mario Cordero said.

Harbor Commissioners also adopted an updated policy for the Port’s Community Sponsorship Program. The update includes a section about unforeseen circumstances and canceled or postponed events, a change in the payment disbursement percentage and a new advertising agreement requirement for awards greater than $7,500.

“The Port of Long Beach takes pride in supporting organizations that represent the diversity of our community and show our commitment to our neighborhoods and to the region,” said Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal.

Among the many events and programs sponsored in the latest call for applications are the Casa Youth Shelter’s Youth Leadership Conference, The LGBTQ Center Long Beach’s AIDS Walk, and the Friends of the Los Angeles River’s Great L.A. River CleanUp.

Sponsorship recipients are required to promote the Port through their sponsored events to spread awareness about the Port’s maritime and commercial interests. This requirement for Port promotion is based on the common law Public Trust Doctrine which requires that revenues generated by the Port be reinvested back into the public trust lands for the benefit of the public. Port staff members also attend some of the sponsored events to help provide information about the Port.