Community Corner

Palisades-Based Nonprofit Wins $80K in Competition

LA Diaper Drive, a nonprofit that distributes diapers to low-income families in Los Angeles, won the top two prizes during a competition on Oct. 25.

Pacific Palisades-based nonprofit organization, LA Diaper Drive, works to distribute diapers to low-income families throughout Los Angeles. On Oct. 25, the organization won a competition, giving them thousands of dollars in funding.

LA Diaper Drive Founder Caroline Kunitz said the organization was one of 20 nonprofits selected for the Social Innovation Fast Pitch competition, a two-month mentorship program that teaches nonprofits how to pitch their cause. LA Diaper Drive was then selected as one of the 10 finalists to pitch their organization to 1200 grant givers and community leaders at the Annenberg Peer to Peer event on Oct. 25.

"Imagine American Idol for nonprofits," said Kunitz.

Find out what's happening in Pacific Palisadeswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At the event, hosted by George Lopez and Jamie Lee Curtis at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles, LA Diaper Drive was named the winner of the top two prizes. The organization won the Judge's award, worth $20,000, and the Investee Award, which is an investment of time and money, totaling $60,000 over three years.

"The night was like a fairy tale. I felt like I was the underdog winning two Academy Awards," said Kunitz. "I was completely shocked and thrilled, especially because I had applied to the Fast Pitch Program primarily to give LA Diaper Drive the chance at being chosen as the Investee."

Find out what's happening in Pacific Palisadeswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kunitz, who lives in Santa Monica, started the organization with her friend, Palisadian Melissa Ratcliff, in 2003. Ratcliff has since moved to San Diego, but the organization is still based in the Palisades. Local residents continue to support the nonprofit, including LA Diaper Drive's treasurer, Palisadian Ruby Carlos and board member Denise Longarzo, who lives in Santa Monica Canyon.

"The Pacific Palisades community was supportive from the beginning," said Kunitz. "The local Sav-On [now a ] gave us an incredible discount on diapers and local businesses … distributed flyers on our behalf."

With an all-volunteer staff working out of her house, Kunitz said the organization gave away 1.3 million diapers to needy families last year alone. She said they are the second largest diaper bank in the country.

"Being chosen as the Investee will help LA Diaper Drive grow and be able to give even more diapers away," said Kunitz.

According to Kunitz, what appealed most to LA Social Venture Partners, the philanthropist group that awarded the $60,000 investment, was that LA Diaper Drive incentivizes low-income parents to better their lives. The organization distributes the diapers through community-based organizations that offer parenting classes, life skills classes and GED preparation courses.

"They report that attendance doubles and triples in classes where diapers are introduced as an incentive to attend," said Kunitz.

The next big diaper giveaway will be in early December, when Kunitz expects to distribute about 100,000 diapers.

  • For more information about LA Diaper Drive, click here.
  • For more information about the Social Innovation Fast Pitch competition, click here.
  • For more information about Los Angeles Social Venture Partners, click here.
  • For more information about the Annenberg Foundation, click here.

Be sure to follow Pali Patch on Twitter and "Like" us on Facebook.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here