Seeds of Resilience

Seeds of Resilience: The Story of Long Beach

On September 22, 2026, Long Beach residents will celebrate connection and resilience through art, performances, and storytelling.

Community organizations and artists will honor the city’s diverse living history and the communities that have shaped Long Beach across generations, strengthening a shared sense of belonging and civic pride.

About Seeds of Resilience

Seeds of Resilience invites organizations and community members to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America and to honor the City of Long Beach’s diverse living history, strengthening belonging, visibility, and collective civic pride through displays, performances, art installations, and other activities that reflect and share their communities’ stories.

    Access the application through July 6, 2026.

    Apply Here

    View the detailed microgrant guidelines here.

    View the Guidelines

    Seeds of Resistance Microgrant Details

    Individuals, community-based organizations, cultural groups, and nonprofits in the greater Long Beach area may apply.

     

    What is Provided to Grantees?

      • Grantees will have access to tables, chairs, and shade canopies for day of event
      • $500 – $1,500 will be granted in a lump sum

    Eligibility Requirements

      • Activation must take place in the City of Long Beach Civic Center Plaza 
      • Activation must not have happened before the date of submission or before September 22, 2026 
      • Activation must be open to the public 
      • Activation must benefit the Long Beach arts and cultural sector 

    Evaluation Criteria

    Project Merit as demonstrated by:

      • High quality of programs (as evidenced by description of how the project demonstrates an aspect of local history in Long Beach representing the applicant’s community)
      • Innovation, creativity, and uniqueness of programming with an emphasis on presentation and cultural diversity

    Feasibility of the Project as demonstrated by:

      • Applicant has thought about all aspects of the project and planned accordingly 
      • Applicant has shown that they have the ability to carry out the project and will be an active participant on the September 22, 2026 date.
      • Quality grantsmanship (follows guidelines, application and accompanying materials are correct, neat, legible, and appropriate)

    Community Impact as demonstrated by:

      • Benefit of the project to targeted audience and other Long Beach communities
      • Shows how the project will share history of the greater Long Beach area and their community’s role within it.

    Program Timeline

      • May 1: Application opens
      • July 6: Application closes
      • July 22: Review panel
      • Late July: Award letters sent to recipients
      • August: Payments issued to recipients
      • September 22: Community activation day