LA84's Olympic Legacy: $1.9M Grants to Fuel Youth Sports in SoCal

LOS ANGELES, CA – May 28, 2026 – The LA84 Foundation, an enduring legacy of the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games, has announced the distribution of $1.9 million in grants to 27 nonprofit organizations across Southern California. The investment is set to expand access to sports, play, and movement for more than 400,000 children, reinforcing the foundation's core belief: play because it matters.

This significant funding initiative targets community-based organizations in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, and Ventura Counties. It aims to directly combat the disparities in access to physical activity and promote positive youth development, preparing a new generation to be “Life Ready Through Sport.”

“The LA84 Foundation continues its legacy of investing in young people and communities because we believe in the transformative power of sports,” said Renata Simril, President & CEO of the LA84 Foundation. “It matters when a child finds confidence on a team, joy on a playground, or healing through movement. These grants move us closer to a future where every child has access to sport and play.”

The Enduring Legacy of 1984

Born from the success of the 1984 Olympic Games, the LA84 Foundation has become a national leader in youth sports advocacy. For nearly four decades, it has translated the Olympic spirit into tangible community impact. This latest round of grants is part of a much larger history of investment; since its inception, the foundation has channeled over $225 million into more than 1,100 youth sports organizations throughout Southern California.

This sustained commitment is not merely about funding; it's a strategic effort to build a regional ecosystem where sport is a tool for social good. The foundation’s work includes training coaches, funding critical infrastructure projects, and commissioning groundbreaking research on the benefits of physical activity. As Los Angeles prepares to host the Olympic Games again in 2028, these investments take on heightened significance, laying the groundwork for another powerful legacy of community uplift and youth engagement.

The foundation’s strategy is deeply rooted in a Sports-Based Youth Development (SBYD) model, which views athletics as an essential pathway to developing healthy, resilient, and engaged individuals. This approach ensures that the impact of the grants extends far beyond the playing field.

Championing Play Equity Across the Region

A central pillar of the foundation's mission is achieving “play equity.” This concept addresses the systemic barriers that prevent many children from participating in sports. Factors such as family income, neighborhood safety, and lack of park infrastructure create significant disparities in access. The foundation’s grant-making process is intentionally designed to dismantle these barriers.

By prioritizing programs that are free or low-cost, the grants directly address the financial hurdles that exclude many low-income families. The funding also focuses on overlooked and underserved populations, including youth of color, girls and young women, and youth with disabilities. This cycle of grants specifically includes support for several organizations providing inclusive and adaptive sports, ensuring that children of all abilities can experience the joy and benefits of play.

The 27 grantee organizations were selected for their deep community ties and their commitment to centering equity in their service models. This targeted approach ensures that the $1.9 million investment will have a profound impact where it is needed most, fostering a sense of belonging and connection for hundreds of thousands of young people.

Spotlight on Impact: From Unhoused Youth to Community Hubs

The real-world impact of this funding is best seen through the programs it supports. Among the grantees is The Monarch School Project in San Diego County, the only K-12 school in the country that exclusively serves students experiencing homelessness. The grant will provide its 215 student-athletes with uniforms, equipment, coaching, transportation, and meals—essential resources that make participation possible.

“As the only school in the country exclusively serving students experiencing homelessness, access to sports is not just enrichment—it is essential to connection, healing, and opportunity,” said Tamara Y. Craver, President and CEO of Monarch School Project. “This funding allows us to sustain and expand cost-free sports opportunities.”

Another grant will support the Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) and its Mi CASA after-school program. This initiative offers no-cost athletic programs five days a week and uniquely incorporates youth coaching internships, creating leadership pathways for local teens.

“The grant from the LA84 Foundation invests in youth coaches, and helps provide young people from our neighborhoods opportunities to participate in athletic programs five days a week at no cost in a positive environment,” noted Takao Suzuki, Co-Executive Director of Little Tokyo Service Center.

The breadth of the foundation's support is remarkable, collectively funding activities across 37 different sports. While traditional sports are well-represented, the grants also expand opportunities in non-traditional activities like golf, lacrosse, surfing, and equestrian sports—areas that often have prohibitive barriers to entry for low-income youth.

More Than a Game: Building Resilience and Academic Success

The foundation’s philosophy emphasizes that the benefits of sport are holistic, contributing to academic, social, and emotional well-being. This is particularly evident in the five grants awarded to school-based organizations. These programs leverage the structure of after-school sports to boost student success in the classroom and beyond.

By engaging students in positive activities during crucial after-school hours, these programs help build confidence, foster friendships, and teach resilience. This SBYD approach recognizes that the skills learned on a team—such as communication, discipline, and perseverance—are directly transferable to academic pursuits and future life challenges.

The investment in programs like LTSC’s Mi CASA, which develops young coaches, further illustrates this comprehensive vision. It’s not just about providing an activity; it’s about building community leaders and creating a positive feedback loop where today’s participants become tomorrow’s mentors. This model strengthens the social fabric of entire neighborhoods, creating safe and supportive environments where young people can thrive.