Prevention Institute is pleased to announce the release of a request for proposals under First 5 LA’s new Built Environment Policy Advocacy Fund. In its first year, eight awards totaling $550,000 will be made to support policy advocacy and emerging capacity to influence the laws, policies, and procedures that shape neighborhood conditions for children 0-5 and their families.
 
Prevention Institute is honored to be working with First 5 LA, a leading public grantmaking and child advocacy organization, to co-design the grant program and review letters of interest and grant proposals. PI will also support the capacity and effectiveness of organizations, coalitions, and parents advocating for new policies to create access to parks and open space, safe transit options, healthy food, and resources and opportunities for children and families living in communities that have experienced historical disinvestment. This initiative is part of First 5 LA’s overall portfolio to ensure that all children in Los Angeles County will enter kindergarten ready to succeed.

We applaud First 5 LA’s bold and strategic leadership to support early childhood development through advocacy for healthy, safe, and equitable communities. These resources add critical support to advocacy efforts already underway in Los Angeles County neighborhoods. LA County is at a pivotal moment in determining how public policies and resources will shape neighborhood conditions for generations to come. Since 2016, voters have approved taxes to fund various improvements to the built environment, and First 5 LA investments will provide instrumental support to sustain advocacy efforts that are already underway. They will also expand the network of partners pushing for new policies and fair, just, and equitable implementation of existing policies and funding opportunities.
 
Working with a leading evaluation firm, Ersoylu Consulting, PI will engage in assessment and learning activities alongside grantees to inform future philanthropic investments in policy advocacy for the built environment. We will continue to update you as this initiative unfolds and our funded partners make change.
 
Please share this announcement with your networks, partners, and colleagues, especially those working in Los Angeles County. Reach out to us if you have thoughts or ideas about how to grow the momentum for funding and policy advocacy to improve built environment conditions in communities that have experienced historical disinvestment. We are eager to support foundations and other philanthropic partners to extend the reach and effectiveness of built environment policy advocacy efforts through First 5 LA’s innovative Built Environment Policy Advocacy Fund.