YOU Grant

Los Angeles Lakers Community

Congratulation to Barber Gurus on winning the March 2026 Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant!

Mission Statement: Barber Gurus Inc is committed to empowering the next generation of barbers and braiders through mentorship, hands-on training, and service-driven leadership while restoring dignity and uplifting underserved communities through wellness-centered outreach. We support youth in developing confidence, personal wellness, and professional self-presentation, equipping them to carry themselves with purpose in school, the workplace, and their communities. Through pathways in barbering and braiding, we provide entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and career skills that prepare young people to build sustainable futures and become leaders who give back.Funding Project Description: Barber Gurus Inc will implement a youth mentorship and wellness program that teaches barbering, braiding, personal grooming, and professional presentation skills to underserved youth. The project provides hands-on training, mentorship from experienced grooming professionals, and workshops on financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Youth participants will also engage in community service events that offer free or low-cost grooming services to families in need. Through this initiative, participants will build confidence, develop practical career skills, and explore pathways to small business ownership.

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2025-26 Lakers Youth Foundation March YOU Grant Winner 

Lakers Community

Congratulations to iPlay iLead Academy on winning the Lakers Youth Foundation January 2026 YOU Grant Contest!  Mission Statement: iPlay iLead Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit empowering youth ages 6–17 in underserved communities through mentorship, resources, and experiences that inspire growth, success, and brighter futures. We offer a year-round program that builds youth resilience and confidence through empowerment workshops, activities, and physical education, helping participants develop leadership, teamwork, respect, and self-confidence.Funding Project: Funding would support the continued delivery and expansion of iPlay iLead Academy’s year-round programming by providing high-quality empowerment workshops, physical education activities, and leadership development experiences for youth. Resources would help cover program materials, equipment, safe spaces, and outreach, ensuring more participants can build resilience, confidence, teamwork, and self-confidence while accessing consistent, impactful support.Please check back in March for another Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant opportunity!  

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2025-26 Lakers Youth Foundation January YOU Grant Winner 

Congratulations to Better Today, Better Tomorrow on winning the Lakers Youth Foundation November 2025 YOU Grant Contest!  

Mission Statement: Our mission is to provide opportunities for sports, play, and creative activities, helping youth gain essential life skills. We create a nurturing, safe environment that fosters physical and mental well-being, self-confidence, and social bonds for all youth in need.

Funding Project: Our PE and after-school sports programs give fire-affected, foster, and low-income youth safe spaces to play, learn, and grow. With consistent mentorship and skill-building opportunities, we help youth build resilience, confidence, and hope for the future!

Please check back in January for another Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant opportunity!&nbsp;&nbsp;

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2025-2026 Lakers Youth Foundation November YOU Grant Winner 

Congratulations to United in Harmony on winning the Lakers Youth Foundation January 2025 YOU Grant Contest!

Mission Statement: United in Harmony’s mission is to provide children experiencing poverty with hope and opportunities. United in Harmony’s overnight-camp program (Camp Harmony) is designed to help children develop positive self-esteem and to thereby inspire and empower campers in their future endeavors. At Camp Harmony, children grow through interactions with teenage and adult role models while experiencing nature, exploring arts, sports, and an array of other enriching activities.

Funding Project: Camp Harmony’s Summer 2025 program empowers underserved youth through a transformative camp experience that builds confidence, resilience, and teamwork. Our expanded sports programming will give campers the opportunity to engage in basketball, soccer, and other athletic activities that foster leadership, collaboration, and personal growth. Through the power of sports at camp, children develop essential life skills, build meaningful friendships, and gain a sense of belonging in a supportive environment. Funding will ensure that every camper has access to these experiences at no cost, creating lasting impacts that extend far beyond their time at camp.

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March 2024-2025 Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant Winner

Congratulations to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles on winning the Lakers Youth Foundation January 2025 YOU Grant Contest!

Mission Statement: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles is a youth empowerment organization whose mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. 

Funding Project: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles offers impactful mentoring programs that empower youth in a variety of settings. Our School-Based Mentoring program pairs caring adults with elementary students, providing academic support and fostering social-emotional growth during school hours. Our Workplace Mentoring program connects high school students with professionals for career exploration and skill-building, while our Women in Entertainment program pairs young women with leaders in the entertainment industry for mentorship and guidance. These programs help young people thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, building a brighter future for Los Angeles. 

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January 2024-2025 Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant Winner

Mission Statement: Shero’s Rise is driven by our mission to empower girls in underserved communities through educational programming and meaningful mentorship to activate their inner strengths and guide their journey of internal discovery. Our purpose is for every girl to find her voice, tell her story, own her power, and learn how to use her “invisible cape” to soar high in each stage of her development. Our goal is for each girl to become her own Shero.

Funding Project: Through its transformational Illuminating Your Inner Self Program, Shero’s Rise empowers girls in underserved communities through educational programming and meaningful mentorship to activate a girl's inner strengths and guide her journey of internal self-discovery. Utilizing a robust program rooted in support and empowerment, Shero’s Rise will foster the construction and connection of identity, development of intellect and independence, and ultimately, the ability to overcome any obstacles each girl may encounter in her world. It is the vehicle to help each girl thrive and to make the best decisions for her life and her community. Funding from the Lakers will provide

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November 2024-2025 Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant 

Congratulations to&nbsp;P.F&nbsp;Bresee&nbsp;Foundation&nbsp;on winning the Lakers Youth Foundation&nbsp;March&nbsp;2024&nbsp;YOU Grant Contest!&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mission Statement: P.F Bresee’s mission is to battle poverty by empowering youth and families in Los Angeles with the skills, resources, and relationships necessary to thrive.Funding Project: The P.F. Bresee Foundation is seeking support for its youth services, which offer essential academic and educational enrichment services to more than 1,000 low-income youth in Central Los Angeles every year. These services include tutoring and academic enrichment, techfocused programming, paid internships, college access/success support, and leadership development through sports. Empowered by our services and staff, our youth go beyond their own academic pursuits to empower other students and their communities at large. Support from the Lakers Youth Foundation will enable us to continue creating the next generation of dedicated, community leaders who understand the importance of giving back.

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March 2024 Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant Winner

Congratulations to 1 Shine Youth on winning the Lakers Youth Foundation January 2024 YOU Grant Contest!

Mission Statement: The Divas and Drummers of Compton is an extraordinary program offered by the 1 Shine Youth Center, a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to providing underserved communities of color with much-needed access to youth enrichment programming. Our mission is to create a platform that combines performing and cultural arts with supplemental educational services, specifically focusing on enhancing early literacy skills among young individuals.

Funding Project: By integrating performing arts, literacy development, and cultural education, our after school program addresses essential elements that are often lacking in underserved communities of color. We empower young individuals to embrace their cultural identity, develop crucial literacy skills, and unleash their artistic potential. The Divas and Drummers of Compton After School Program firmly believes that by providing this transformative platform, we are contributing towards building brighter futures and creating a more equitable society for all.

Please check back in&nbsp;March&nbsp;for another Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant opportunity!&nbsp;&nbsp;

YOU Grant

2025-26 Lakers Youth Foundation March YOU Grant Winner

2025-26 Lakers Youth Foundation January YOU Grant Winner

2025-2026 Lakers Youth Foundation November YOU Grant Winner

March 2024-2025 Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant Winner

January 2024-2025 Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant Winner

November 2024-2025 Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant

March 2024 Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant Winner

January 2024 Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant Winner