South LA Decides Participatory Grant Making Initatiative (SLAD-PGMI)
Our SLAD-PGMI Initatiative year is currently accepting applications. Please visit the Request for Proposal announcement to apply.
Project Goal
The goal of the SLAD PGMI is to support the planning and implementation of projects focused on identifying and taking strategic actions to create policy solutions and/or improve systems of services around distinct priority areas (defined below) to improve the lives of children, prenatal to age 5, and their families.
BEST START REGION 2
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is a call for project proposals, specifically targeting the area known as Best Start Region 2. This region includes four communities within South Los Angeles. (map below):
- Best Start Broadway / Manchester (BSBWM)
- Best Start Compton / East Compton (BSCEC)
- Best Start Watts and Willowbrook (BSWW)
- Best Start West Athens (BSWA)
ABOUT SOUTH LA DECIDES
South LA Decides (SLAD) is the vehicle that Best Start Region 2 uses to expand participatory grant making decisions to South LA and Compton residents. This initiative will ensure that residents of Region 2 can intentionally participate in the decision-making process on how to distribute grant funding to organizations working to increase the health and well-being of children aged prenatal to age 5 living in South LA and Compton.
The Participatory Grant Making (PGMI) initiative builds on the successful work that each Best Start community in Region 2 has achieved. This regranting program strengthens local organizations’ capacity to address community-identified issues through policy and systems change pilot projects. In Spring 2023, over 2,000 Best Start Region 2 residents were engaged in a community vote to determine local priority issues they would like to see funded for their communities. Based on the chosen community-requested priorities, community organizations are then invited to apply for the funding, and applications are selected by the Best Start Region 2 Regional Task Force (RTF). SLAD PGMI grants support infrastructure and programmatic development for less resourced but highly active CBOs based in South LA. In addition to grant funding, RC provides critically needed financial and program management support to awardees.
Since 2021, thirteen small local nonprofits have received a combined $4.1M in 3 rounds to twenty-four number of grantees. This RFP initiates RC’s fourth round of funding of an additional $600,000 for distribution to South LA CBOs that serve the Best Start Region 2 communities.
Local Grants:
Local Grants must focus on one Best Start community within Region 2. Applicants cannot submit more than one application. An applicant’s project may address one or more priority areas within the chosen community, as outlined in the Local Priorities table below. In the proposal narrative, applicants must clearly identify:
- The Best Start community where the project will take place, and
- The priority area(s) the project will address.
E.g., Our project will create access to Affordable & Safe Housing in West Athens.
EXAMPLE
- Many residents of South LA must travel beyond their communities to access fresh fruits and vegetables, and struggle to maintain a healthy diet for their families, impacting their overall health
- Example Proposals: increasing access to affordable, and culturally relevant healthy food; provide opportunities to create local food economies; create networks to ensure fresh produce can be accessed by all Region 2 residents, etc.
- Housing is essential to the health and wellbeing of families and individuals. Yet, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA) in 2022 there were about 69,144 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in LA County. Housing in LA County is out of reach for many residents, in particular low-income renters are more likely to spend over 50% of their income on housing. Increasing rent prices in conjunction with economic challenges, such as job loss because of the COVID-19 pandemic, have caused many families to fall behind on rent or been forced to live in multifamily households.
- Examples: Examples: homelessness prevention programs/services; access to counsel for tenants; pathways to homeownership, support for individuals that are at-risk of Homelessness, resources to navigate affordable housing system etc.
- Communities benefit from skills training and programs, fostering stronger ties among members. Parent education programs aid individuals in handling the challenges of parenting through positive discipline techniques, child development skills, and accessing community services. School-age children and young people benefit from diverse programs outside of school, promoting their potential, from academics to sports and workforce preparation. Youth Development Programs support children from challenging homes or limited resources, nurturing social and cognitive skills while reducing risky behaviors.
- Examples: college fair; after-school programs; sports camp; parenting classes; skill building classes (typing, computer, finance, etc.), etc.
Local Grants:
Local Grants must address one community (if applying to conduct a project in more than one Best Start community, a separate and complete proposal is required for each chosen Best Start community), and one priority area (see Local Priorities column in the table below) within the chosen community. In the proposal narrative, indicate the Best Start community the project will serve, and the priority area your project will address.
E.g., Our project will create access to Affordable & Safe Housing in West Athens.
LOCAL PRIORITY AREAS FOR FUNDING
The following priorities represent the overall focus areas for Best Start Region 2. Each community has identified and ranked these priorities based on input from local delegates through the South LA Decides – Participatory Grantmaking Initiative (PGMI) process
Ensuring that families with young children have the financial stability and resources needed to meet their basic needs — such as food, housing, and healthcare — so every child ages 0-5 can grow and thrive in a secure environment.
Example Proposals: workforce training programs; job placement or career navigation support (regardless of citizenship status); increase access to education (i.e. scholarships, counseling, etc), financial literacy workshops; paid internships or apprenticeships; entrepreneurship development; wraparound services such as transportation or childcare for job-seeking residents.
Increasing choices for healthy foods ensures that all families—especially those with children ages 0–5—have reliable access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally relevant food options that support lifelong health and well-being
Example Proposals: Community-led food distribution programs; partnerships with local farmers or markets; healthy food voucher initiatives; mobile produce delivery; development of local food cooperatives; culturally relevant nutrition education.
Expanding programs and supports that reflect and respect families’ diverse cultures, languages, and experiences—so that every family feels seen, valued, and supported in ways that foster belonging and equity
Example Proposals: bilingual and culturally relevant services; JEDI or DEI training for community leaders; programming that supports LGBTQ+ families; coalition-building rooted in cultural identity; restorative justice or traditional healing practices; trauma-informed services or resources that reflect local values and traditions.
Improving maternal and infant health outcomes by ensuring access to quality prenatal, birth, and postpartum care—so that every baby is born healthy and survives beyond the first year of life
Example Proposals: Community doulas and midwives’ programs; Fatherhood involvement initiatives; Breastfeeding peer support networks; Perinatal health navigators.
Helping families access and maintain stable, safe, and affordable housing. It aims to prevent homelessness, overcrowding, or frequent moves that disrupt children’s early development.
Example Proposals: tenant rights workshops; referrals to housing and emergency shelter services; support navigating affordable housing systems; participation in housing justice coalitions; eviction prevention resources; connections to legal support for at-risk renters.
Community-Specific Priority Rankings
Each Best Start Region 2 community ranked these priorities according to local needs and feedback gathered through the PGMI community engagement process. Applicants should align proposed projects with the priorities of the community they intend to serve.
| Community | Top Ranked Priorities (Top to Bottom) |
|---|---|
| Broadway-Manchester (BSBWM) |
|
Compton / East Compton (BSCEC) |
|
| Watts & Willowbrook (BSWW) |
|
| West Athens (BSWA) |
|
Award Amount and Duration
Applicants must describe how their proposed projects will be implemented within one of the four Best Start Region 2 communities:
- Best Start Broadway / Manchester (BSBWM)
- Best Start Compton / East Compton (BSCEC)
- Best Start Watts & Willowbrook (BSWW)
- Best Start West Athens (BSWA)
- Four Local Community Grants — one for each of the four Region 2 communities — will be awarded up to $150,000 each, totaling $600,000 for a total of 12 awardees at up to $50,000 per award.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible proposed projects must take place in one of the four Best Start Region 2 communities and must primarily benefit residents and families living in that community.
Organizations may select one or more priority areas to address within the chosen community.
Eligible applicants for both award categories MUST meet the following criteria:
- Be a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Organizations that are fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) are eligible.
- Coalitions are eligible if the lead applicant organization meets all other eligibility criteria.
- Organizations that are not eligible:
- Organizations classified as private foundations under Section 509(a).
- Government agencies.
- Universities or academic institutions, however, may serve as a coalition partner to the lead applicant.
- Show a proven track record of providing services in one or more of the Best Start Region 2 communities.
- Have an office or be headquartered within the South Los Angeles geographic area and Compton (the South Los Angeles region is defined by the geographical boundaries of both Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles). The South LA address must be provided in the proposal.
- Be an equal opportunity employer with all-inclusive membership that does not discriminate based on gender, race/ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, country of national origin or nationality, age, religion intellectual or physical disabilities and military or veteran status in its activities or operations.
- Organizations that have been debarred, suspended, or deemed ineligible to receive federal or state funding, or those that appear on federal or state debarment lists.
- Failure to meet all eligibility criteria will render a proposal ineligible.
Best Start Region 2: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement
- Best Start Region 2 and any associated members, grantee organizations, and resident leaders will embrace this commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion by welcoming all community members regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, national origin, veteran status, social-economic class, religion, or any other perceived difference. It is important for this to be a shared mutual commitment as we strive for the common goal of creating positive outcomes that benefit families and children.
- Our experience demonstrates that bringing people together from various backgrounds and cultures drives solutions by leveraging different points of view. Respecting everyone’s background, culture, and lived experiences are essential to collective agency and power that truly advances policy and systems change in disinvested communities.
Important Dates and Deadlines
| October 7, 2025, at 9:00AM | Request for Proposals (RFP’s) for community identified priorities released. |
| October 7, 2025, through November 17, 2025, 4:00PM | Questions and Requests for Additional Information Due |
| October 7 2025, through October 21 2025 | Letter of Intent |
| October 17, 2025 12-1PM PST | Information Session (1 of 2) |
| November 14, 2025 12-1PM PST | Information Session (2 of 2) |
| October 24, 2025, at 12-1PM PST | Incubator Session: SMART goals and Scope of Work |
| November 7 2025, at 12-1PM PST | Incubator Session: Budget Planning |
| November 14, 2025, at 12-1PM PST | Incubator Session: Evaluation Planning |
| November 21, 2025 5PM PST | Full Proposals Due |
| December 16 2026 to January 16, 2026 | Regional Task Force will review proposals |
| February 27 2026, 5:00PM | Final Funding Decisions Announced |
If you have any questions, please email us at beststart_grantees@risingcommunities.org.
Also, if you need to reference links you can find them on the RFP announcement Page: https://risingcommunitiesgrants.gvgrantcloud.com/account/preview-announcement?faId=f2f00d0c-cc5c-44f6-ee55-08ddefe96488
- Any questions about project guidelines and grant requirements should be submitted by email to beststart_grantees@risingcommunities.org no later than Friday, November th by 4:00pm.
- Please return every Friday to review the most up-to-date FAQ’s document.
- SLAD Incubator Module 1_SMART Goals and Scope of Work
- Incubator Session: SMART Goals and Scope of Work
- Sesión de incubadora: Objetivos SMART y area de trabajo
- SLAD PGMI Incubator Workshop 3 – Evaluation Planning English
- Budget Planning Incubator Workshop -English
- Budget Planning Incubator Workshop – Spanish
- Evaluation Planning Incubator Workshop -English
- Evaluation Planning Incubator Workshop – Spanish
Information Session recordings will be uploaded the day after the session has concluded. To review the Information Sessions, please click the links below:
