Tag:

receives

News

Los Angeles Secures $14M Boost for Six Animal Shelters

by Rachel Morgan News Editor
written by Rachel Morgan News Editor

The city of Los Angeles received a $14 million grant from the ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society to support its six animal shelters, officials announced Thursday. The City Council authorized the Department of Animal Services (LAAS) on Wednesday to execute the funding agreement, which provides $7 million from each organization to improve shelter operations and animal care.

How will the $14 million grant be used?

LAAS will use the funds to support more than 20 essential staffing positions. These include specialized roles for community cat programs and expanded teams for fostering and adoptions, according to the announcement.

How will the $14 million grant be used?

Four consultants from the ASPCA and Best Friends will also be embedded in LAAS facilities. These experts will provide direct support for animal health and safety, program implementation, and staff training.

Did You Know? The Department of Animal Services handled more than 50,000 animals last year and has maintained a 90% placement rate for dogs since 2017.

What are the primary goals of this initiative?

The program focuses on three core priorities: increasing operational efficiency and in-shelter care, expanding community engagement to keep pets with their owners, and improving outcomes for adoptions and reunifications.

What are the primary goals of this initiative?

Mayor Karen Bass described the investment as a “transformational moment” that will create more lifesaving opportunities for animals across the city. ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker stated the approval makes a “powerful statement” about the importance of animals and their caregivers.

Expert Insight: This partnership shifts the burden of initial scaling from the public ledger to private philanthropy. By embedding consultants directly into city facilities, the organizations aren’t just providing capital, but are attempting to institutionalize operational changes that the city must then attempt to sustain independently.

What happens next for LA animal shelters?

The ASPCA and Best Friends will provide support over an initial three-year period. Following this, LA Animal Services has committed to making best efforts to sustain the programmatic advancements and key positions for an additional three years.

What happens next for LA animal shelters?

This structure suggests the city may need to identify long-term funding sources to maintain these roles once the initial grant period ends. The 85% save rate for cats and kittens in 2025 could serve as a benchmark for the program’s success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is providing the funding for the Los Angeles animal shelters?
The funding is coming from two organizations: The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and Best Friends Animal Society, each contributing $7 million.

How many shelters in Los Angeles will be supported?
The grant is designed to support the city’s six animal shelters.

What specific staffing roles will the grant create?
The grant will support more than 20 positions, including expanded foster and adoption teams and specialized roles for community cat programs.

Do you think private-public partnerships are the most effective way to manage city animal services?

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
World

Milken Community School Receives $36 Million Gift from Koum Foundation

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

Milken Community School has secured a $36 million donation from the Koum Family Foundation, pushing the institution’s current capital campaign to $152 million. The school, which serves over 850 students, will rename its 22-acre east campus—formerly the American Jewish University site—to the Jan Koum Campus of Milken Community School, according to official school statements.

Why are private donations to private schools increasing?

Large-scale philanthropic gifts, such as the $36 million from the Koum Family Foundation, are driving a trend of campus expansion among major private institutions. According to Milken Head of School Sarah Shulkind, these funds are specifically earmarked to broaden educational access and strengthen Jewish communal life in Los Angeles. By acquiring and renaming established sites like the former American Jewish University property, schools can bypass the lengthy timelines of new construction while immediately scaling their physical footprint.

Why are private donations to private schools increasing?
Did you know?
Milken Community School is currently one of the largest Jewish day schools in the United States, supporting a student body that spans grades 6 through 12.

What impact does campus renaming have on local institutions?

Renaming a campus after a benefactor serves as a permanent marker of a donor’s commitment to an organization’s long-term mission. The Koum Family Foundation stated that the naming reflects its specific focus on supporting Jewish education. Historically, this practice allows institutions to anchor their financial stability; for instance, Milken’s ability to reach a $152 million campaign total demonstrates the role of high-net-worth individuals in sustaining private educational infrastructure that might otherwise rely solely on tuition revenue.

How does this investment affect the broader education landscape?

The transition of the American Jewish University site to the Jan Koum Campus of Milken Community School represents a shift in how educational real estate is utilized within the Los Angeles region. While public schools often face budget constraints and property limitations, private institutions are increasingly using capital campaigns to absorb existing campuses. This trend allows for the preservation of educational facilities that might otherwise be sold for commercial development, keeping the land within the sphere of academic and community use.

Milken Community Schools – Promo Video | Produced by Kesher Video | Video Production Israel

Pro Tips for Understanding School Philanthropy

  • Monitor Capital Campaigns: Tracking an institution’s public campaign goals provides insight into their long-term growth and physical expansion plans.
  • Analyze Naming Rights: Large gifts are frequently tied to branding; look for naming rights agreements in official press releases to understand donor priorities.
  • Assess Enrollment Capacity: A larger campus footprint often indicates an intent to increase student enrollment or offer specialized facilities in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jan Koum?
Jan Koum is a philanthropist and the co-founder of the messaging platform WhatsApp.

Pro Tips for Understanding School Philanthropy

How much has Milken Community School raised?
According to school officials, the school has raised $152 million as part of its current capital campaign, a figure that includes the recent $36 million gift.

What was the previous use of the Milken east campus?
The 22-acre property was formerly the site of the American Jewish University.

How many students attend Milken Community School?
The school serves more than 850 students in grades 6 through 12.

Stay informed about the latest developments in local education and community growth. Subscribe to our free newsletter for daily updates delivered to your inbox.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail