Long Beach Gives kicks off with early giving, with nearly 300 participating nonprofits – Press Telegram

The community’s generosity will once again be tapped as Long Beach Gives kicks off its campaign to support nearly 300 nonprofits this year.

Each year, local nonprofits come together under one campaign – Long Beach Gives – to share their stories, raise critical funds, and rally the community around the causes that keep the city thriving, according to the organization’s website.

The goal of the annual campaign, organizers said, is to inspire individuals and businesses in the community to support the work of nonprofits making a difference in Long Beach and raise money for them to continue that work.

“(For) a lot of the organizations in Long Beach, Long Beach Gives is their biggest – or for some of them, their only — fundraiser of the year,” Carrie Eldridge, director of Long Beach Gives, said in an interview.

The 2026 campaign will run online from Thursday, Sept. 17, to Sept. 24. Early giving begins Thursday, with the official Giving Day set for Sept. 24.

Nonprofits are critical to the community now more than ever, organizers said. Long Beach nonprofits, for example, have continued offering safety-net services, finding new ways to interact with youth, advocating for positive change, strengthening mental health services and providing access to the arts, among other efforts.

By donating through Long Beach Gives, organizers said, community members will help ensure these local nonprofits continue providing the services their neighbors need. Through the Long Beach Gives website, people can find an organization that supports a cause they are passionate about — and then donate to it.

From animal rescues to arts organizations, food banks to mental health services, and youth mentorships to environmental justice, there are hundreds of local nonprofits to support, organizers said.

Last year, the community helped raise more than $2.3 million for nonprofits — a record. Since its founding in 2019, Long Beach Gives has mobilized the community to raise more $13 million.

This year, Eldridge said, the organization hopes to help raise more than $2.5 million to support the critical programs, services and resources that strengthen the Long Beach community.

Whether a nonprofit is large and established, or a volunteer-run grassroots group, each has the same opportunity to be seen, heard and supported, organizers said. With free access to a fundraising platform, tools and personalized training, Long Beach Gives helps remove the financial barriers that often keep smaller organizations from growing their reach, activating their supporters, and building partnerships with local businesses.

As early giving begins, officially kicking off this year’s campaign, many nonprofits have partnered with local businesses to host fundraising events, Eldridge said.

While several fundraising events are happening throughout the week, here are a few people can check out:

The Pearl Foundation is teaming up with the Breakfast Bar for a “Pancakes 4 Purpose” event from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. Restaurant-goers can purchase a breakfast meal at either location, 70 Atlantic Ave. or 3404 E. Fourth St., and 20% of the purchase will be donated to The Pearl Foundation. Donations will go toward offering scholarships, reducing food insecurity and providing community grants.
SK8 Haven will host a fundraiser at the Good Bar, 3316 E. Seventh St., at 7 p.m. Saturday. Donations will help support its mission of expanding inclusive skateboarding opportunities and programming for neurodiverse youth.
Teofilo Coffee Company will host a fundraiser at its Long Beach location, 5668 Second St., to support EXP from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Of all drinks, food and coffee beans purchased, 10% will be donated to EXP’s Long Beach Gives campaign to help create more career-connected opportunities for high school students in Long Beach and beyond.
Angels Gate Cultural Center is partnering with Lola’s Mexican Cuisine, 2030 E Fourth St., for a fundraiser from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22. Donations of $50 to $75 will fund critical arts initiatives at the Angels Gate Cultural Center and attendees will enjoy a “throwback meal,” such as Sliced and Diced Eatery’s signature jalapeño popper grilled cheese or an El Dorado torta.

“Long Beach Gives is a gift to the Long Beach community,” Eldridge said. “It’s a crossing point for the nonprofits, for-profits, the City Council, the mayor, to all come together and get to know one another and work together to make Long Beach a healthier, safer, more comfortable place to live, to work and to grow.”

To view the full list of participating organizations and fundraising events, visit longbeachgives.org or follow on social media at @longbeachgives.