Photo courtesy of the Port of Long Beach.

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners awarded 83 sponsorships worth a combined $359,795 on Thursday, wrapping up a record year of community sponsorships that highlight the Port of Long Beach’s (POLB) role in international trade and dedication to social responsibility, port officials stated.

The port has given $737,995 in the current fiscal year—including the latest sponsorships—since last October, for 159 events representing various groups in the city including the arts, environment, social justice and historic preservation, according to a port release.

In August 2015, commissioners adopted new guidelines for the port’s community sponsorship program with goals of increasing participation, setting clear, user-friendly guidelines and enhancing the port’s focus on public service, officials stated. The release noted 273 applications were received this fiscal year—the most received in any prior year was 200 applications.

“As the record number of applicants and recipients shows, the new sponsorship policy, coupled with an aggressive outreach campaign, is proving successful,” said Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán. “The Port of Long Beach takes great pride in supporting local organizations that represent the diversity of our city and make it such a wonderful place to live.”

Most recently, the port sponsored the International Seafarers Center Maritime Salute, the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust environmental education and cleanup program, the WomenShelter of Long Beach annual fundraiser and AIDS Food Store annual reception. Many of these sponsored events are attended by commissioners and port staff as part of the Harbor Department’s community outreach efforts, according to the release.

The port accepts sponsorship applications from community groups twice a year, in March and September. For more information about the sponsorship program, click here.