News & Press Releases
Read our official announcements and updates below.
Liberty Hill in the Headlines
Liberty Hill Foundation in the news and article mentions
San Pedro. Exterior. Dusk. Upton Sinclair arrested for reading the 1st Amendment
Opinion: I grew up next to an L.A. oil well. California can protect others from what I went through
Community land trusts turn LA tenants into owners
Our Corporate Landlord Tried To Push Us Out. We Saved Our Homes Through A Community Land Trust.
L.A. City Council votes to dramatically expand tenant protections ahead of deadline
The theory of giving: The ‘why’ behind philanthropy
11 Major Foundation Racial Justice Pledges and Progress to Date
Liberty Hill Fights for a More Just L.A.
How We Increased Grantmaking, Took Risks, and Found Powerful New Models for Change
Criminal justice reform groups say LA County budget shortchanges jail alternatives
Who’s Behind the Liberty Hill Foundation, and How Does It Support Social Justice in L.A.?
How a Public-Private Collaboration in L.A. Is Looking Beyond Punishment to Curb Youth Incarceration
Criminal Justice Reform Isn't Failing, It's Just Unfinished
L.A.’s Mis-Investment in Youth Incarceration
Implementation Beyond Headline Victories
Press Releases
Liberty Hill Foundation Celebrates 40th Annual Upton Sinclair Celebration: Uniting Power & Purpose at the Skirball Cultural Center
4/24/2023 — (Los Angeles) — Liberty Hill Foundation’s signature Upton Sinclair event, which honors local organizers and community leaders, celebrated a milestone anniversary at its 40th Annual Upton Sinclair Celebration on April 19th, 2023.
Trailblazing Local Program Expands Access Across Los Angeles
11/17/2022 — (Los Angeles) — Everyone has the right to live in a healthy community, free from pollution, and with access to safe, accessible, and affordable utilities that can help keep residents safe from extreme weather conditions. That's why "emPOWER," a groundbreaking local environmental justice program, is expanding beyond L.A. County to bring savings, upgrades, and clean energy to more low-income Southern California residents.
Community Land Trust Pilot Program Showcases Power of Community Ownership in Preventing Displacement
11/03/2022 — (Los Angeles)—A new report released by the Los Angeles Community Land Trust Program—a $14 million pilot initiated two years ago with the support of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors—showcases the power of community ownership strategies. The innovative partnership explores the Community Land Trust (CLT) model to address long-term housing affordability challenges and systemic racial inequities for immigrant, working class, communities of color.
Liberty Hill Foundation and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Holly J. Mitchell Partner to bring Commissions Training Program in District 2
02/04/2022 — Liberty Hill’s Wally Marks Leadership Institute Commissions Training Program prepares local community leaders to expand their influence by serving on boards and commissions which wield significant political power across L.A. County. This program helps community leaders throughout L.A. County, including in the City of Los Angeles, become appointed members on hundreds of boards and commissions that oversee key city and county agencies and advise elected decision makers on core policies and programs that impact quality of life for Los Angeles area residents.
Liberty Hill Foundation Announces Almas Sayeed as Vice President of Public Partnerships
02/02/2022 — Liberty Hill Foundation, the leading social justice foundation in Los Angeles, is proud to announce the appointment of legal advocate Almas Sayeed to the newly created role of Vice President, Public Partnerships. Founded in 1976, Liberty Hill is a public foundation whose mission is to leverage the power of community organizers, donor activists and other allies to advance social justice through strategic investment in grants, leadership training, and campaigns.
L.A. City Council Votes Unanimously to Move Forward with Ending Oil Drilling Citywide
01/26/2022 — After a decade of advocacy by frontline communities, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to pass a motion that advances phasing out oil and gas extraction across the city. The motion specifically directs the Department of City Planning to work with the City Attorney’s office to draft an ordinance that prohibits any new oil and gas extraction operations and makes existing extraction activities a nonconforming land use in all areas of the city.
Liberty Hill Foundation Announces Historic Investment in Grassroots Organizing & Power-Building, Withdrawing 14% of Endowment During Pandemic
9/14/2021 — Liberty Hill Foundation, the leading social justice foundation in Los Angeles, announced today a historic investment in the local grassroots and community organizing ecosystem and its leaders of color in L.A. County. This investment will enable Liberty Hill to distribute more than $3.34 million in two-year general operating grants to 65 grassroots organizing groups this year—more than tripling the previous Fund for Change disbursement—and expanding the Foundation’s total overall grantmaking portfolio to more than $19 million this year so far.
New Ready to Rise Report Shows Innovative Reinvestment Strategies Impact BIPOC Youth in Los Angeles County
08/02/2021 — Liberty Hill Foundation (Liberty Hill), and the California Community Foundation (CCF) released an annual report today on their innovative youth development initiative, Ready to Rise: Expanding Opportunities for All L.A. County Youth (R2R). The report looks at R2R’s success in increasing opportunities and resources for community-based youth development organizations that keep youth out of the legal system and help those in the system successfully transition back into the community.
Liberty Hill Foundation Launches “Justice For All” Campaign to Support Grassroots Activism in Los Angeles
07/29/2021 — Our “Justice for All” Campaign seeks to raise awareness of the critical issues facing Los Angeles as we deal with the effects of a global pandemic and existing systemic problems facing our region. The “Justice for All” campaign will highlight the grassroots activism and on-the-ground successes of Liberty Hill’s partners, while expanding knowledge of the Foundation’s efforts to power these movements and amplify their work for greater impact.