Special Initiatives

Since its founding in 1996, The Eisner Foundation has undertaken several major initiatives that illustrate its focus on innovative programs that promote the health, education and well-being of children and families in Southern California.

These special initiatives include:

• California Institute of the Arts' (CalArts) Community Arts Partnership (CAP) has received a $1.25 million grant from The Eisner Foundation to provide free, after-school and school-based arts programs for youth from some of Los Angeles' most underserved neighborhoods. The Eisner Foundation grant lends support to CAP's new media programs and endows scholarships for former CAP participants who plan to continue their education at CalArts.
• The Foundation awarded $7 million to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) to establish The Center for Teaching and Learning within the University's Michael D. Eisner College of Education. The Center prepares teachers, parents and clinicians to support the educational and emotional needs of all types of learners.
• The Eisner Foundation partnered with the Ford Foundation to bring Project GRAD (Graduation Really Achieves Dreams) Los Angeles to the Southern California community. This college outreach program prepares K-12th grade students in the Northeast San Fernando Valley to enter and succeed in college.
• Located in Downtown Los Angeles, The Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center is a quality-focused, community health center that offers comprehensive services including prenatal care; medical care for infants, children and adolescents; a women's health center; adult medical, dental and mental health care; and a child development center.
• The Foundation has also focused its efforts on the public health issue that claims more lives each year than all other causes of death with a special $7 million grant to fund cardiovascular research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

In 2010, The Eisner Foundation plans to pursue new initiatives in three areas: the education and support of home healthcare workers, especially in the area of geriatrics; the strengthening of the foster care system in Los Angeles County, and an expansion of arts education for public school students in Southern California. With each of these initiatives, we know from our experience and knowledge of the community and the people we serve that these are underfunded areas with great need and opportunity where we will have an impact.