Long Beach nonprofits came together to mingle and kick off the eighth annual Long Beach Gives campaign on Thursday, Sept. 17.
The online fundraising campaign is dedicated to helping nonprofits and community organizations across the city raise critical funds for their programs and services, as well as showcase their work and impact in Long Beach. The official day of giving is Thursday, Sept. 24, but there is also a weeklong early donation period which began on Sept. 17.
Long Beach Gives celebrated this year’s campaign and first day of early giving with a launch party on Thursday evening at the historic rancho.
“It’s become a tradition of generosity,” Carrie Eldrige, director of Long Beach Gives, said to the large crowd of people representing local nonprofits, “that brings together our nonprofits, our for-profits, our elected officials, and the general public for the betterment of us all.”
Nearly 300 nonprofits have signed on to participate in the 2026 campaign, Eldrige said. The nonprofits that participate do work in various causes in the community, including animal rescues, food banks, mental health services, youth mentorship, environmental justice, and more.
Long Beach Gives held its annual launch party for this year’s campaign on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Rancho Los Cerritos. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Staff of the local nonprofit Heart of Ida at the Long Beach Gives annual launch party for this year’s campaign on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Rancho Los Cerritos. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Carrie Eldrige, director of Long Beach Gives, speaking at the organization’s annual launch party for this year’s campaign on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Rancho Los Cerritos. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Norma Stein, board chair of The Nonprofit Partnership, speaking at the Long Beach Gives annual launch party for this year’s campaign on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Rancho Los Cerritos. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
(L-R) Long Beach Gives Director Carrie Eldrige, The Nonprofit Partnership Board Chair Norma Stein, The Nonprofit Partnership Executive Director Michelle Byerly, and Executive Director of the Josephine S. Gumbiner Foundation Julie Meenan at the Long Beach Gives annual launch party for this year’s campaign on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Rancho Los Cerritos. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal speaking at the Long Beach Gives annual launch party for this year’s campaign on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Rancho Los Cerritos. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach Gives held its annual launch party for this year’s campaign on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Rancho Los Cerritos. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
(L-R) The Nonprofit Partnership Executive Director Michelle Byerly, Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, Executive Director of the Josephine S. Gumbiner Foundation Julie Meenan, Long Beach Gives Director Carrie Eldrige and Executive Director of the Munzer Foundation Zayda Garcia at the Long Beach Gives annual launch party for this year’s campaign on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Rancho Los Cerritos. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Long Beach Gives held its annual launch party for this year’s campaign on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Rancho Los Cerritos. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Since its launch in 2019, Long Beach Gives has helped raise more than $13 million for hundreds of nonprofits. The organization was started by Julie Meenan, executive director of the Josephine S. Gumbiner Foundation, in collaboration with The Nonprofit Partnership.
“It has been an amazing eight years, and every year it gets better,” Norma Stein, board chair of The Nonprofit Partnership, said during the event. “Long Beach Gives is our community’s opportunity to stand with us and contribute to our long-term sustainability.”
Each year, the campaign has beaten its previous fundraising record as the campaign continues to grow. Last year, more than 10,200 donations were made to 292 different organizations – for a record total of $2.3 million raised in 2025. Organizers are hoping to reach a goal of $2.5 million this year, Eldrige said.
During the launch party, organizers shared that the campaign had already raised more than $282,000 for several nonprofits. As of 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, the campaign had raised more than $400,000.
“Nonprofits are often asked to do more with limited resources, yet you all continue to show up for our neighbors, respond when people need help, and you create lasting opportunities to leave a lasting impact,” Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal said during Thursday’s event. “Whether you are supporting families, helping young people succeed, providing housing and essential services, advancing education, promoting health and wellness or bringing art to our community, you are the reason that Long Beach is becoming even stronger and a more connected city.”
Several nonprofits participating in this year’s campaign will be hosting fundraising events in collaboration with local businesses throughout the early donation period. The organization will also host the Long Beach Gives Expo at the Recreation Park Bandshell on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 2 to 5 p.m. Community members will have the opportunity to learn about more than 100 participating nonprofits while enjoying live performances.
Early giving runs through Thursday, Sept. 24. Visit longbeachgives.org for more information about nonprofits or to donate.