BGCMLA Announces $780,000 Gift from Ballmer Group

Grant is part of significant $24 million investment in Boys & Girls Clubs in LA County 

Today, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles announced a gift of $780,000 from Ballmer Group. This significant support is part of a larger collective gift of $24 million to 18 local Boys & Girls Clubs in LA County.


As one of the nation’s largest youth-serving organizations, Boys & Girls Clubs play a significant role in the lives of nearly 4 million young people each year. More than 5,000 locations in communities across the country create life-enhancing opportunities for kids and teens after school and during the summer.


BGCMLA’s goals are to optimize resources and enable more investment in opportunities to further grow the community they serve. The Ballmer Group’s monetary gift will assist in enhancing programming to meet the clubs’ attendees needs—music and video studios, STEM and innovation labs, sports leagues (including e-sports), art, and mental health services - providing more opportunities for effective youth development.


“We are grateful to the Ballmer foundation for their investment in BGCMLA," said Patrick Mahoney, CEO & President of BGCMLA. "This gift will help BGCMLA increase our impact by enabling more youth to participate in safe, high-quality programs." 


Today, young people face an unprecedented number of obstacles to their success and wellbeing. Studies show that a lack of access to technology, positive adult role models and guidance, as well as food insecurity and other critical factors, can cause long-term setbacks and trauma for millions of young people. Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles do whatever it takes to help close the opportunity gap and ensure kids and teens have access to experiences and opportunities that can change their lives for the better.


Core programs at BGCMLA consist of academic success to grow globally competitive graduates, character and leadership development to develop 21st century leaders, and healthy lifestyle education to nurture healthy and well-rounded decisions amongst the youth. BGCMLA has 120 locally developed programs. Over 200,000 free healthy meals are distributed to the communities the clubs serve. 91% of club members have access to a musical instrument and 94% of club members feel confident solving math problems, with 6.6 months of average growth in reading levels over 7 weeks spent in the provided literacy program. BGCMLA is proud to serve over 3,080 youth with 4 club locations, 1 elementary school location, 1 middle school location, and 2 high school locations.


To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles and to support kids and teens around the country, please visit www.bgcmla.org




ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF METRO LOS ANGELES:


The mission of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) Our mission is to create a safe space to empower all Club members to learn, explore, achieve, and dream (L.E.A.D)! Committed to sustainable impact, BGCMLA is the result of a partnership unifying Los Angeles’ Boys & Girls Clubs that have been serving thousands of youth in the region’s most vulnerable neighborhoods since 1960 including Challengers, Venice, Watts/Willowbrook, Bell Gardens Club sites, and in recent years several school sites. BGCMLA offers nationally recognized programs in three core areas to ensure the achievement and empowerment of youth and their families: Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles. For more information, please visit our website at www.bgcmla.org

April 3, 2025
Join us on April 24th, a night of thrilling poker supporting vital youth programs at BGCMLA. Your participation helps provide safe spaces and impactful afterschool and summer activities for local kids and teens.
March 12, 2025
BGCMLA youth rocked Coke Studio at L.A. LIVE in partnership with Coca-Cola! Our 10-week program gave them hands-on experience in music production, songwriting, performance & more, culminating in their original song "Everything Ghana Be OK."
February 28, 2025
The Lakers Youth Foundation renovated the gymnasium at the Venice Boys and Girls Club, celebrating with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a youth basketball clinic led by local coaches. This renovation, part of the foundation's initiative to provide safe and quality spaces for youth, offers a revitalized space for kids to play, learn, and develop skills. The project underscores the foundation's commitment to empowering young people through sports and creating positive community impact.
Leylah Fernandez laughing with Club members from on a tennis court
February 26, 2025
Leylah Fernandez hosted a youth tennis clinic at the Challengers Club, offering training and inspiration to local kids.
February 7, 2025
11th Annual In-store fundraiser to provide support to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles's Youth of the Year 2025 Logo
February 3, 2025
LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 7, 2025 - At the Watts/Willowbrook Club, we celebrated five exceptional Club members! Hear their inspiring stories of overcoming challenges and finding their place at with us at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA). This year we are proud to announce Kaydence as our 2025 BGCMLA Youth of the Year ! All participants receive a stipend for their hard work and commitment to this premier teen recognition program. A special congratulations to this year's remarkable speakers:
January 9, 2025
Our Clubs are open! We're accepting all youth ages 6 -18, regardless of current membership.
September 25, 2024
September 16, 2024 (Los Angeles, CA) - On Saturday, October 26th, we hosted the DreamBuilders Gala at the stunning Audrey Irmas Pavilion. This special event was dedicated to honoring the incredible achievements of our youth and the generous supporters who made it all possible. What Happened: Inspiring Performances: We enjoyed captivating performances by our talented youth, showcasing their skills and passions. Star-Studded Emcee: Darren M. Haynes, a renowned sports anchor/reporter from KCBS/KCAL, served as our dynamic emcee for the evening. Generous Giving: We joined together to raise funds to support our programs and provide life-changing opportunities for the youth of Metro Los Angeles. Exclusive Experiences: We enjoyed a cocktail reception, silent auction, and a vibrant afterparty.  Honoring Our Partners: We're thrilled to recognize the Ralph M Parsons Foundation and Sony Music Publishing for their invaluable contributions to our mission.
September 24, 2024
September 24, 2024 (Los Angeles, CA) - In a heartwarming display of community engagement, USC Football players recently hosted a special tour of their state-of-the-art facilities for young members of the Challengers Club from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles. The event, organized through the NIL initiative House of Victory , provided a unique opportunity for these aspiring athletes to experience the world of collegiate sports firsthand. "Seeing the practice field and fully equipped fitness gym was eye-opening," said Karen Quiroz, Director of Athletics and Health at the Challengers Clubhouse. "These resources are not available at every school, and it's inspiring for our kids to see what's possible." The Challengers Clubhouse, a part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro LA, has been serving underprivileged youth in the community since 1968. By providing access to educational programs, sports activities, and mentorship opportunities, the club aims to empower young people to reach their full potential. "For kids who haven't seen what college can be like, it's good for them to get this experience at one of the best universities," said Eric Gentry, a senior linebacker and House of Victory student-athlete. "It's about more than just football; it's about inspiring the next generation." The USC football players were more than happy to share their experiences and answer questions from the young visitors. From discussing their training routines to offering advice on balancing academics and athletics, the players served as positive role models. "This tour was a dream come true for our kids," said Quiroz. "Interacting with the USC football players was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will inspire them to strive for greatness." As Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro LA continues to provide essential services to the youth of Los Angeles, partnerships with organizations like House of Victory are crucial in helping young people reach their full potential. By providing opportunities for mentorship, inspiration, and exposure to new experiences, these collaborations are laying the foundation for a brighter future. For more information about events like this one, follow BGCMLA on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and X . If you’d like to make a charitable contribution to support youth programs and initiatives like this, you can make a tax-deductible contribution here .
July 30, 2024
Los Angeles, CA - The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) as part of their Sports 4 Life program. This prestigious grant will support our efforts to provide sports and physical activity opportunities for young girls in our community. The Sports 4 Life program aims to empower Black, African-American, Hispanic, and Native American girls through sports. By participating in these programs, girls can develop essential skills such as perseverance, leadership, and teamwork, which will benefit them both on and off the field. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where all children can thrive. Through our sports programs, we strive to inspire girls to reach their full potential and become confident, successful individuals. For more information, follow BGCMLA on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and X . If you’d like to make a charitable contribution to support youth programs and initiatives like this, you can make a tax-deductible contribution here .
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