Staples Center

STAPLES Center Foundation

The STAPLES Center Foundation is committed to serving the youth throughout greater Los Angeles, with a special emphasis on neighborhoods surrounding the arena. To this end, the Foundation supports the following programs:

Community Gift Program

• Inner-City Arts
  A commitment of $1 million dollars has been pledged to Inner-City Arts, a non-profit in the heart of the "skid row" area of downtown Los Angeles. Founded in 1989 in response to severe budget cutbacks, which completely removed the arts from California public education system. Today, 450 children each day are offered weekly courses in animation, ceramics, creative writing, dance, drama music and visual arts in their beautiful 20,000 square foot facility that is home to Inner-City Arts.
• Walt Disney Concert Hall
  A gift of $1 million dollars was donated to the Walt Disney Concert Hall the fourth venue of the Performing Center of Los Angeles County and home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Walt Disney Concert Hall opened in 2003.
• 10th Street Elementary School
  Located in Pico Union, and officially adopted by STAPLES Center, this elementary school serves 1700 students from kindergarten to fifth grade. Just walking distance from the arena the children and families have enjoyed numerous sporting and family-style shows as well as visits from the WWF. STAPLES Center has also hosted the students' 5th grade culmination ceremony where a $10,000 scholarship program was announced for the future graduates. In addition the staff from STAPLES Center volunteer weekly as part of a one-on-one reading program with the students.
• Community Partnerships
  The STAPLES Center Foundation has established a number of partnerships in the community to assist charities raise funds and awareness for their organizations. With the donation of the arena, suites, tickets, merchandise, catering and autographed memorabilia more than $1 million dollars has been raised for numerous children organizations, community centers and ethnic and cultural events in Los Angeles.
• Community Grants Program
  The Community Grants Program consists of annual grants given by the STAPLES Center Foundation to expand and enhance youth-oriented educational and recreational endeavors.
• Micro Grant Program
  The Micro Grant Program assists and promotes civic and cultural events such as street festivals, parades and other community improvement projects. Grants range from $250-$1,000.
• Macro Grant Program
  The Macro Grant Program assists established programs that enhance recreational and educational opportunities for youth in the Los Angeles area. Special emphasis is given to those located in a three-mile radius of the arena and can represent a "match" for additional funding. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000.

Download the Community Gift Program Grant Application. (pdf)

Star Plaza Program

STAPLES Center Foundation strives to improve the quality of life for youth in the greater Los Angeles area through educational and recreational grants and programming, with a special emphasis on the neighborhoods surrounding the arena. Proceeds from the Star Plaza Program are earmarked for community projects in these neighborhoods.

Star Plaza, outside the arena's main entrance, is the place where excited fans gather to see some of the greatest sports and entertainment events in the world. Your personalized star will be placed in Star Plaza. Embedded in concrete, the star memorializes your connection to the home of the Kings, Lakers, Clippers, Sparks and spectacular concerts.

Donate $175 or more and receive an 8"x 8" porcelain star with a three-line personal inscription. Or donate $3,050 or more and receive a 12"x 12" granite star with a four-line personal inscription. Support the STAPLES Center Foundation's community effort and have your own personal connection to STAPLES Center.

Download the Star Plaza Donation Form. (pdf)

Assistance from Volunteers and Contributions

• Star Plaza Program
  Fans and supporters have the opportunity to thank, honor and memorialize friends and family with a personalized "star." The star is prominently displayed at the arena entrance known as Star Plaza (located at Figueroa and 11th Street.) All proceeds from the Star Plaza Program directly benefit the STAPLES Center Foundation.
• Friends of the STAPLES Center Foundation
  This volunteer group of young professionals from various companies in the Los Angeles area organizes fundraisers and volunteer activities to assist the STAPLES Center Foundation with its community development efforts.
• Payroll Pledge Campaign
  This campaign offers employees of STAPLES Center to donate a portion of their salaries to support the mission of the STAPLES Center Foundation.
• Coins For Kids
  Throughout the arena — at nearly all the concession stands — are coin canisters, which allow the fans the opportunity to "change" a child's life.

For more information on these programs, please call:

Jennifer Lynch
Director, STAPLES Center Foundation
213-742-7166
jlynch@staplescenter.com