2026 Heart Catalyst Grant Cycle Opens
Applications accepted through July 25 for resident-led projects up to $20,000.
The Open Heart Initiative Foundation
Opening hearts across Los Angeles County
We invest in community wellness, education, health access, and volunteer leadership — building compassionate neighborhoods from Pico Rivera outward.
$3.6MCommunity Investment
54Active Programs
14K+Residents Served
118Partner Organizations
8Service Corridors
Our Mission
Compassion in action for every neighborhood
The Open Heart Initiative Foundation catalyzes equitable wellness, learning, and civic engagement across Pico Rivera and the greater San Gabriel Valley.
We believe open hearts create open doors — connecting residents, nonprofits, and faith communities to resources that heal, educate, and empower.
Core Values
Four pillars of open-hearted service
Compassion
Meet every neighbor with dignity — directing resources to families facing housing, health, and educational barriers.
Collaboration
Co-design programs with residents, clinics, schools, and congregations — never for communities, always with them.
Transparency
Publish grant criteria, board decisions, and impact data so stakeholders trust every dollar invested.
Stewardship
Build initiatives designed to thrive beyond initial funding cycles across Los Angeles County.
About OHI
A Pico Rivera foundation rooted in neighbor trust
Founded by civic and faith leaders who saw strength in every block, OHI has grown into a trusted anchor for compassionate philanthropy in eastern Los Angeles County.
From Rosemead Boulevard, we coordinate grants, fellowships, and volunteer networks that strengthen wellness pathways, educational opportunity, and community resilience throughout Southern California.
Our Journey
Milestones of the Open Heart Initiative
- 2014OHI incorporated as a California nonprofit focused on Pico Rivera neighborhood wellness.
- 2017First community grant cycle distributes $310K to six local nonprofits.
- 2020Emergency relief fund supports 1,800 families during the pandemic across the San Gabriel Valley.
- 2023Volunteer Corps launches with 420 trained community ambassadors.
- 2026$3.6M cumulative investment across 54 programs in eight service corridors.
Leadership
Stewards of compassionate community investment
WRIGHT ANTOINETTE LEESTHER
Executive DirectorLeads strategic vision, grantmaking, and partnerships across Los Angeles County.
Elena Vasquez
Program DirectorOversees wellness, education, and youth initiative portfolios.
James Okonkwo
Community EngagementBuilds resident advisory councils and volunteer partnerships.
Strategic Plan
2024–2028 priorities for Pico Rivera
Expand neighborhood wellness hubs, food security networks, and bilingual health navigation across the San Gabriel Valley.
Scale cradle-to-career pathways with school partnerships, literacy programs, and scholarship funds for first-generation students.
Double the Volunteer Corps with stipends, training, and leadership pipelines for teens and seniors serving Pico Rivera.
Grant Programs
Funding that opens doors for neighbors
Heart Catalyst Grants
Up to $20,000 for resident-led projects in wellness, safety, and civic engagement.
Capacity Building Fund
Multi-year support for emerging nonprofits serving Pico Rivera and adjacent communities.
Health & Learning Pool
Matching grants for clinics, tutoring centers, and cooperative workspace renovations.
Community Development
Neighbor-led growth across Pico Rivera
OHI embeds community organizers in eight service corridors, supporting resident councils, safety initiatives, and public-space activation.
From Rivera Park to shopping districts along Rosemead Boulevard, we fund listening sessions, participatory budgeting pilots, and cross-cultural bridge-building.
Community Wellness
Whole-person wellness for every household
Our wellness initiatives integrate nutrition, mental health, fitness, and social connection — treating health as a community responsibility, not an individual burden.
Mobile wellness fairs, senior companionship, and family resilience workshops reach 3,200 households annually across eastern Los Angeles County.
Education
Learning pathways from cradle to career
Early Literacy
Book distributions and parent workshops in El Rancho Unified School District elementary schools.
STEM & Coding
After-school labs at community centers serving Pico Rivera youth.
College Access
Scholarships, FAFSA navigation, and campus visit stipends for first-gen students.
Health Access
Healthy bodies, healthy neighborhoods
Mobile Clinics
Free screenings and vaccinations in underserved San Gabriel Valley zip codes.
Mental Health Navigation
Bilingual counselors connecting families to Medi-Cal and community therapists.
Nutrition & Food Security
Community gardens, food pantries, and senior meal delivery.
Volunteer Corps
Hands that heal, hearts that serve
Youth Empowerment
The next generation of compassionate leaders
From middle-school mentorship to youth council stipends, OHI invests in Pico Rivera teens as co-designers of their neighborhoods' future.
Programs include paid internships at local nonprofits, civic leadership academies, and college-bound coaching across El Rancho Unified high schools.
Regional Reach
Los Angeles County partnerships beyond Pico Rivera
While Pico Rivera remains our home base, OHI collaborates with foundations and municipalities across the San Gabriel Valley, Southeast LA, and Orange County border communities.
Regional initiatives include shared wellness research, cross-county volunteer pipelines, and disaster-relief coordination for flood-prone neighborhoods.
Impact Metrics
Measuring what matters in community wellness
92%Grantee Satisfaction
2.8xLeveraged Funding
81%Programs Sustained
14Outcome Indicators
Annual Review
2025 year in compassionate impact
Last fiscal year, OHI distributed $920K in grants, launched three new wellness hubs, and expanded our fellowship cohort to 18 emerging leaders.
Download our full annual report for audited financials, grantee outcomes, and board governance summaries.
Download Report
Impact Stories
Voices from the neighborhoods we serve
"OHI's wellness navigation helped my mother access care she had waited years to find."
— Rosa M., Pico Rivera resident
"The college access program helped my son become the first in our family to attend UCLA."
— David L., El Monte parent
"Volunteer Corps gave me purpose after retirement — and 40 new friends."
— Helen K., Senior Companion
Partners
Collaborators across the San Gabriel Valley
City of Pico Rivera
Parks, wellness, and civic engagement alignment.
El Rancho USD
Education partnerships and youth program coordination.
Whittier College
Fellowship placements and service-learning pipelines.
Valley Community Clinic
Mobile health and wellness program delivery.
Governance
Accountable stewardship of community resources
OHI operates under a volunteer board of directors, independent audit committee, and conflict-of-interest policies aligned with California nonprofit best practices.
Our governance framework ensures resident voices inform grant priorities while maintaining fiduciary rigor and legal compliance across all program areas.
Board of Directors
Leaders committed to Pico Rivera
Dr. Maria Santos — Board Chair
Public health advocate and longtime Pico Rivera resident. Chairs governance and audit committees.
Robert Kim — Treasurer
CPA and small-business owner. Oversees financial reporting, endowment management, and investment policy.
Angela Wright — Secretary
Attorney specializing in nonprofit law. Leads ethics and compliance review.
Michael Chen — Director
Community development finance expert with 18 years serving Los Angeles County nonprofits.
Rev. Thomas Hughes — Director
Faith-community liaison connecting OHI to congregations and mutual-aid networks.
Ethics & Compliance
Integrity in every grant and partnership
Conflict of Interest
Board and staff disclose financial interests annually. Recused members abstain from related grant decisions.
Whistleblower Policy
Anonymous reporting channels protect staff, grantees, and community members who raise concerns.
Grant Integrity
All awards follow published criteria with independent review panels including community representatives.
Data Privacy
Resident data collected through programs is protected under strict confidentiality and retention policies.
Transparency
Open books, open hearts
990Public Filings
100%Grant Criteria Published
AnnualIndependent Audit
LiveBoard Meeting Minutes
Form 990, audited financial statements, and board meeting minutes are available upon request and published on our resources page each fiscal year.
News
Latest from OHI
Volunteer Corps Surpasses 500 Members
New training cohort graduates ready to serve Pico Rivera wellness hubs.
Fellowship Cohort Announced
18 emerging leaders selected for the 2026–2027 Compassionate Leadership Fellowship.
Events
Gather with us in Pico Rivera
08Jun
Grant Info Session
Pico Rivera Senior Center — 6:00 PM
22Jul
Community Wellness Fair
Rivera Park — 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
12Sep
Annual Impact Celebration
Pico Rivera Sports Arena
03Nov
Fellowship Showcase
Whittier College Campus
Resources
Tools for grantees and community partners
FAQ
Common questions
Who is eligible for OHI grants?
501(c)(3) nonprofits, fiscally sponsored projects, and resident-led initiatives serving Pico Rivera and adjacent Los Angeles County communities.
What is the typical grant size?
Heart Catalyst Grants range from $5,000–$20,000. Capacity Building and Health & Learning grants may reach $75,000 with matching requirements.
How often are grant cycles offered?
Major cycles open twice annually (spring and fall). Emergency and rapid-response funds are available year-round for qualifying crises.
Can individuals apply directly?
Individual scholarships and fellowship applications are accepted during designated windows. Most community grants require organizational sponsorship.
Fellowship Program
Developing compassionate community leaders
Emerging Leader
6 Months
- $1,400 monthly stipend
- Mentorship pairing
- Community project seed fund
Pico Rivera Roots
Our city, our open-hearted commitment
Pico Rivera is a vibrant gateway city in eastern Los Angeles County — where families, faith communities, and small businesses form the backbone of daily life.
OHI was born here and invests here: from Rivera Park to Rosemead Boulevard corridors, we fund the people and projects that keep this community strong, healthy, and connected.
Contact
Connect with OHI
The Open Heart Initiative Foundation
6505 Rosemead Blvd Ste 306 Pico Rivera, CA, 90660-3544 United States
WRIGHT ANTOINETTE LEESTHER
Office
Visit us on Rosemead Boulevard
Our suite at 6505 Rosemead Blvd welcomes visitors by appointment Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm Pacific.
Located near the 605 freeway with ample parking. Virtual office hours available for regional partners across Los Angeles County.
Gallery
Compassion in action across our community
Volunteer
Corps
Corps
Wellness
Hubs
Hubs
Education
Programs
Programs
Health
Access
Access
Youth
Leadership
Leadership
Community
Grants
Grants
Pico Rivera
Events
Events
Partner
Network
Network
Newsletter
Stay connected to compassionate impact
Monthly updates on grants, wellness events, fellowship opportunities, and Los Angeles County community stories.