Press Release | September 24, 2013
CicLAvia Shifts Into Higher Gear With Wasserman Foundation Grant
Infusion of Half a Million Dollars Will Improve Car-Free Opportunities for Angelenos
LOS ANGELES – CicLAvia and the Wasserman Foundation are pleased to announce $500,000 in new funding to promote social connectedness through healthy, car-free events in 2014-2015. The Wasserman Foundation funding will enable CicLAvia to strengthen its mission of connecting Angelenos in a way that is not possible by car.
Nearly one million people have participated in seven CicLAvia events since October 2010, with an additional 150,000 expected to attend the October 6 CicLAvia – Heart of LA in downtown Los Angeles. The Wasserman Foundation has been a strong supporter of CicLAvia, bestowing $25,000 in 2012 and $50,000 in 2013. The new infusion of funding solidifies CicLAvia’s standing as an organization uniquely positioned to connect the environmental, transportation, health, business and cultural arenas of Los Angeles.
“We are proud to receive this level of support from the Wasserman Foundation. This pledge is an affirmation of our commitment to enhance and expand CicLAvia throughout the Los Angeles landscape in the coming years,” said CicLAvia Executive Director Aaron Paley. “This demonstrates how things can get done in Los Angeles when public funding and private funding invigorate each other to have a greater impact on the city than is possible without such collaboration.”
“CicLAvia is one of the most important cultural events in Los Angeles,” said Casey Wasserman, President and CEO of the Wasserman Foundation. “It brings Angelenos of all social and economic backgrounds together, encourages physical activity, and creates a safe environment to see the beauty of Los Angeles. I look forward to the time when CicLAvia takes place once per month.”
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a vocal CicLAvia supporter who has participated in numerous CicLAvia events, expressed his appreciation for the new funding.
“CicLAvia represents the type of innovative approach we need to move Los Angeles forward, creating a new kind of open space within our dense urban environment. It helps us experience our city in a unique, car-free way while bringing together people of different social, cultural, economic, and geographic backgrounds,” said Mayor Garcetti. “The Wasserman Foundation is a tremendous supporter of organizations that make Los Angeles a stronger city, and I am happy that their funding will help further the mission of CicLAvia.”
CicLAvia events are a partnership between CicLAvia the organization, the city of Los Angeles, Metro, and numerous other participating and funding parties. For information about the October 6 CicLAvia – Heart of LA, please visit www.ciclavia.org/events.
About CicLAvia
CicLAvia is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public health, active transportation, public space, economic development, and community building through car-free public events. With the full support of the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, Metro, the Los Angeles City Council, Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Water and Power, and the Department of Parks and Recreation, CicLAvia is an innovative model for creating new public space and enriching civic life.
Support for CicLAvia
CicLAvia is made possible through the generosity of its partners, supporters, and sponsors. Partners include: the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). Supporters include: the Wasserman Foundation, LA 2050, the Goldhirsh Foundation, the Rosenthal Family Foundation, the California Endowment, the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, the David Bohnett Foundation, and REI. Sponsors include: the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Ralph’s, Tern Bicycles, the Roth Family Foundation, Indie Printing, and Laemmle Theatres. Media Partners include: KCRW 89.9 and the Downtown News.
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Source publication: CicLAvia Blog