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.