What LA84 Foundation does

LA84 Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grant-making and educational foundation established in 1985 with a $93 million endowment from the surplus of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Headquartered at 2141 W. Adams Blvd. in Los Angeles, the foundation invests endowment returns and donations to award grants, train coaches, commission research, and convene stakeholders in support of youth sports access across Southern California.

The foundation's portfolio spans the Youth Sports Grants Program (large grants of $25,000+ and year-round small grants managed through the Grant Interface online portal), the Play Equity Fund (its charitable advocacy and fundraising arm), legacy programs including LA84 Run4Fun and LA84 Summer Splash, the biennial Play Equity Summit, the California Play Equity Report research series (2024 and 2026 editions produced with EVITARUS), a Coaching Education resource hub, a Knowledge Center digital library, and the Olympic Artifact Collection archive. Underlying technology is administrative rather than productized: there is no proprietary software platform, and the foundation's primary digital assets are its website (la84.org), a MailChimp-managed newsletter, and the grant portal.

LA84 serves as both grantmaker and ecosystem convener. Revenue derives from endowment investment returns, individual and corporate donations (including through the Play Equity Fund), and corporate sponsorships tied to the Summit. Its go-to-market is event- and community-led: a board-approved grantmaking process, the biennial Summit (co-presented by FOX Sports and Telemundo in 2026 with Delta, Deloitte, Angel City FC, and Coca-Cola as sponsors), and policy-oriented research used to support legislation such as California's Youth Sports for All Act (AB 749). Over four decades the foundation has invested more than $250 million in 3,065 grants to over 1,200 organizations, reaching 4.0 million youth and training 200,000+ coaches, and is now extending nationally through the $30 million, five-year MOVE Fund.

Name

LA84 Foundation

Legal name

LA84 Foundation

Website

https://la84.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LA84 Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 with a $93 million endowment from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, awarding grants and convening stakeholders to expand youth sports access across Southern California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Foundation / Youth Sports Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Athletics Fundraising, Sponsorships & NIL Support (EDALAIAN), Cause, Community & CSR-Linked Sports Partnerships (Foundations, Youth Programs) (MPAKALAJ)

Keywords

• Youth sports grants
• Nonprofit foundation
• Play equity
• Coach training programs
• Community sports research

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Endowment Returns and Olympic Legacy Proceeds: LA84 Foundation was created with a share of the 1984 Olympic Games surplus ($93 million). The foundation invests endowment funds and uses returns to fund annual grantmaking, operations, and programming. It operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: LA84 Foundation accepts financial contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The Play Equity Fund, a separate charitable partner, also accepts donations to support youth sports access programs. Donations are processed through the foundation's website.
3. Grant Funding to Nonprofit Partners: LA84 Foundation distributes grants to nonprofit youth sports organizations across Southern California, funding programs in 37 sports and activities. Grants range from small ongoing grants to large grants of $25,000 or more, supporting equipment, coaching, transportation, and program operations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LA84 Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grantmaking foundation that funds nonprofit youth sports organizations in Southern California through large grants (starting at $25,000 via a board-approved cycle) and year-round small grants. It also operates the Play Equity Fund advocacy initiative, runs the biennial Play Equity Summit, commissions the California Play Equity Report research series, delivers Coaching Education resources, maintains a sports heritage library and Olympic Artifact Collection, and supports legacy programs such as LA84 Run4Fun and LA84 Summer Splash.

Product overview

The LA84 Foundation operates as a nonprofit grantmaking organization established from the legacy of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Rather than a unified software product, the Foundation offers a portfolio of programs and initiatives including the Play Equity Fund (its core advocacy and funding initiative), the Youth Sports Grants Program (large and small grant cycles for nonprofit organizations), legacy programs like LA84 Run4Fun and LA84 Summer Splash, the biennial Play Equity Summit conference, research publications including the California Play Equity Report series, Coaching Education training resources, a Knowledge Center for sports research, and an Olympic Artifact Collection archive. These programs collectively aim to transform communities through youth sports by ensuring equitable access and driving positive youth development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Sports Grants Program LA84 Foundation's core grantmaking program, providing funding to nonprofit youth sports organizations across Southern California in two cycles: a Large Grant cycle (grants of $25,000 or more, requiring a Letter of Interest submitted via the Grant Interface online portal) and a Small Grant cycle open year-round. Awards are approved by the LA84 Board of Directors and fund equipment, coaching, transportation, uniforms, meals, and program operations in 37 sports and activities.
• Play Equity Fund An initiative created by LA84 Foundation focused on breaking down barriers to sports participation and bringing the transformational power of sport and play to all children regardless of race, gender, zip code, or socioeconomic status. The Play Equity Fund serves as the foundation's charitable fundraising arm and is featured on its own microsite (playequityfund.org).
• Play Equity Summit A biennial convening bringing together leaders from sport, media, philanthropy, and public policy to explore strategies for expanding access to sport, play, and movement for young people. The 2026 edition was co-presented by FOX Sports and Telemundo and drew over 500 attendees.
• LA84 Run4Fun A signature running and fitness program that encourages youth participation in physical activity through fun, accessible running events.
• LA84 Summer Splash A summer aquatic program providing youth with opportunities for swimming and water-based activities.
• Coaching Education A training and resource program providing coaches with the skills to help young athletes have fun, stay engaged, and get maximum benefit from youth sports. The foundation reports over 200,000 coaches trained, with 90% of trained coaches reporting enhanced coaching skills.
• California Play Equity Report A comprehensive statewide study of play equity in California, commissioned by LA84 Foundation, examining barriers to sports participation and physical activity among youth. The 2026 report finds 76% of California youth do not meet CDC daily physical activity guidelines and 60% of parents struggle to afford youth sports.
• Knowledge Center An online hub for sports information and research, serving as a home for sports information, research, and educational materials accessible to the public via the LA84 Foundation website.
• Olympic Artifact Collection A comprehensive sports heritage collection dedicated to the history of sports, recreation, major events, coaches, athletes, and the Olympic Games, including preservation of art, memorabilia, programs, awards, schedules, and uniforms. Accessible by appointment at the foundation's Los Angeles headquarters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4.0 million youth served since inception
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• MOVE FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2026The MOVE Fund is a five-year, $30 million national initiative launched at the 2026 Play Equity Summit, designed to expand access to sport, play, and movement for young people. LA84 Foundation leaders were instrumental in its launch. The inaugural cohort includes 13 regional coalitions across the U.S. (Cleveland SBYD Coalition, Delaware Youth Sports Coalition, Fight For Children, King County Play Equity Coalition, Lawrence Sports Alliance, Milwaukee Youth Sports Alliance, Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative, Positive Coaching Alliance San Diego, Laureus USA Atlanta/Chicago/New Orleans, and Salem Youth Sports Alliance).
• FOX SportsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 April 2026FOX Sports is the co-presenting sponsor of the 2026 Play Equity Summit and a longstanding partner of LA84 Foundation. FOX Sports will present FIFA World Cup 2026 and is committed to the advancement of the play equity movement and driving joy, inclusion, and belonging for youth across the country.
• Telemundo (NBCUniversal)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 April 2026Telemundo (NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises) is co-presenting sponsor of the 2026 Play Equity Summit alongside FOX Sports. Chief Administrative and Marketing Officer Mónica Gil spoke at the Summit, emphasizing sport's power to connect communities and create lasting impact for youth.
• Delta Air LinescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 April 2026Delta Air Lines serves as the Official Airline Sponsor of the 2026 Play Equity Summit, supporting the foundation's efforts to convene global sports leaders in Los Angeles.
• Steel SportsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Renata Simril, President & CEO of LA84 Foundation, joined Steel Sports' advisory board. This appointment extends her influence in youth sports strategy and advisory roles beyond LA84's direct grantmaking.
• Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLA84 Foundation and the Play Equity Fund work closely with the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee to ensure major sporting events deliver lasting benefits for youth and communities, aligning with the foundation's legacy mission.
• Play Equity CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Play Equity Council is listed as part of LA84 Foundation's board structure. It is a key institutional partner in the movement for play equity and systems change in youth sports access.
• EVITARUScoreOthersEVITARUS is the public opinion research firm commissioned by LA84 Foundation to conduct the California Play Equity Reports (2024 and 2026), providing statewide survey data on youth sports participation, barriers, and policy support.
• Positive Coaching AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPositive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is a partner in the MOVE Fund inaugural cohort (PCA San Diego) and provides research insights for the California Play Equity Reports. PCA's Chief Strategy and Impact Officer Robert Marcus contributed commentary on the importance of trained coaches and developmentally appropriate sports programs.
• LA84 Board of DirectorscoreOthersLA84's Board of Directors approves all grant awards and provides governance oversight. The board includes founding board members, emeritus board members, and advisory board members. Wendy Greuel serves as a board member.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Laureus Sport for Good Foundation: Global sports-focused philanthropic foundation that funds youth sport programs to drive social change. Closest direct analog to LA84 — both operate as grantmaking foundations leveraging sport as a vehicle for youth development outcomes.
• The Aspen Institute Project Play: National initiative that produces research, convenings and policy recommendations to increase youth sports access in America. Highly comparable to LA84's California Play Equity Report and Play Equity Summit model.
• Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation: Private foundation funding youth sports, recreation and community-active-living initiatives with a $1.2B endowment. Comparable as a major sports-focused grantmaking foundation with national aspirations.
• Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation: Corporate-affiliated foundation that funds youth sports access, particularly for under-resourced communities, through the Sports Matter program. Directly comparable grantmaking mission and beneficiary base.
• Susan Crown Exchange: Private foundation supporting youth development through technology, learning and social-emotional skill-building. Comparable as a values-aligned youth development grantmaker, though with a broader thematic lens.
• GENYOUth: National nonprofit that mobilizes partnerships to improve youth wellness, including through in-school physical activity and nutrition programs. Directly comparable as a youth-sports/wellness convener working with schools and corporate sponsors.
• U.S. Soccer Foundation: National grantmaking foundation focused exclusively on growing soccer participation among underserved youth. Comparable sport-specific foundation model building fields, funding programs and advocating for access.

Regional players

• Laureus USA: U.S. chapter of Laureus Sport for Good operating in Atlanta, Chicago and New Orleans; an inaugural MOVE Fund cohort member alongside LA84. Comparable as a peer sports grantmaking foundation with a different geographic footprint.
• Sport England: Arm's-length body of the UK government that distributes public and National Lottery funds to grassroots sport and physical activity. Comparable as a public-affiliated sport grantmaking body, but geographically outside LA84's market.

Broad incumbents

• Nike Community Impact: Global sport brand's philanthropic and community investment arm funding youth sport access worldwide. Broader incumbent player with substantially larger resources pursuing overlapping outcomes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/la84foundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/la84-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LA84 Foundation