Grand Prix Foundation The Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach was incorporated in January of 1991 as a 501 (c)(3) publicly supported organization whose purpose is to raise funds, through a series of charitable events held in conjunction with the annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Building on the drama and fanfare surrounding the race, which annually attracts crowds in excess of 175,000, the Foundation schedules three exciting events open to businesses and public participation. On Monday of race week, race fans can tee off with drivers and celebrities in the annual Grand Prix Foundation Charity Golf Tournament at Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach.  The tournament includes prizes and a silent auction.   For information, call (562) 490-4509. On Wednesday of race week, a gala, black-tie event is presented by and benefits the Grand Prix Foundation.  The star-studded evening includes cocktails, dinner, entertainment and silent and live auctions.   For more information, call (562) 490-4509. And, Friday evening, you can set sail with drivers and celebrities to enjoy a Gilligan's Island-type cruise around Long Beach Harbor aboard the S.S. "Endless Dreams" from Hornblower Cruises and Events.  Presented by the Championship Auto Racing Auxiliary (CARA), the cruise includes live and silent auctions, casino night, entertainment, prizes and great food, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Grand Prix Foundation. For ticket information, contact CARA at (317) 299-2277 or visit caracharities.org. The Foundation (Federal tax number 33-0446818) was founded as an “all-volunteer” organization and continues to operate as such. Generous support from corporate sponsors, particularly the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach and Toyota Motor Sales, USA, allows the Foundation to keep overhead to an absolute minimum. The Foundation’s activities are governed by a twelve member Board of Directors, each elected to a two year term. Beneficiaries are selected by a committee and members of the Board and approved by the Board of Directors. Charities, once selected, participate in a three year funding cycle. They then must wait three years before they can apply again for consideration. This allows the Foundation to benefit as broad a cross section of the community as possible and allows it the opportunity to continually re-evaluate the needs of the community. The Foundation, in 1997, established an annual scholarship program which provides a $1,000 grant to a graduating senior from each of the seven high schools in the Long Beach area. Students are selected by a panel of civic leaders and are evaluated on scholastic achievement, potential, extra curricular activities, community service and financial need. The Grand Prix Foundation, since its inception in 1991, has donated more than $2,000,000 to Southern California charities. In addition, the Foundation donates tickets and hospitality packages to the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and tickets to the Foundation’s “Grand Prix Charity Days” events to charitable and civic organizations to assist them in their fund raising efforts or, in some cases, to bring the physically or mentally challenged to a “day at the races.” GRAND PRIX FOUNDATION OF LONG BEACH PRESENTS $164,000 IN CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AT OCT. 3, 2007 RECEPTION The Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach  presented a total of $164,000 in donations to 20 local charities at a Wed., Oct. 3, 2007 reception in the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Café Scuba. Local beneficiaries were:  Memorial Miller Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach Special Olympics, St. Mary’s Memorial Hospice, Meals on Wheels, Food Finders, For The Child, Children’s Clinic, Women’s Shelter, Long Beach Search & Rescue, Arts & Services for the Disabled, International City Theater, Pathways Hospice, Operation School Bell, Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, Operation Short Stop, Junior League Project Hope, Long Beach Symphony, Tot Lot and the Cal State Long Beach women’s golf team. The Grand Prix Foundation annually raises the money through its “Charity Days” events during the week of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Since its inception in 1991, the Foundation has contributed over $2 million to organizations representing a cross-section of the city’s charitable and civic community. Thanks to low administrative costs, 90 cents of each dollar go directly to the organizations selected by the Foundation’s 11-member Board of Directors. “The Grand Prix Foundation is immensely pleased to again help those less fortunate through these outstanding Long Beach area charitable organizations,” said Rick Duree, Foundation president.  “It again proves that, while the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is America’s premier street race, it continues as one of Southern California’s more dedicated and involved corporate citizens.” For more information on the Grand Prix Foundation, please call the Foundation office at (562) 490-4509.