Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO and current owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, alongside his wife Connie, has made a significant philanthropic move by donating $110 million through the Ballmer Group to bolster youth mental health services in Los Angeles. The funds will be distributed among three universities: Cal State LA, UCLA, and CSU Dominguez Hills, with Cal State LA receiving the largest share of $48 million.
This historic donation aims to address the critical shortage of mental health professionals in California, particularly in underserved areas like South and East Los Angeles. The funds will support the training of over 1,000 new social workers and family counselors through Cal State LA’s Master of Social Work (MSW) and School-Based Family Counseling (SBFC) programs. According to Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes, the initiative will “change lives across Los Angeles by preparing a new generation of counselors and social workers who reflect and understand the communities they serve.”
The grant will also provide substantial scholarships to students pursuing careers in public service, thereby reducing financial barriers and encouraging more graduates to work in local communities. Cal State LA Provost Heather Lattimer emphasized the long-term benefits, stating that the impact will be felt across schools, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles for years to come.
In addition to Cal State LA, UCLA will use its $33 million portion to develop a minor in youth behavioral health and provide scholarships, while CSU Dominguez Hills will allocate $29 million to launch the Toros Heal L.A. initiative, expanding mental health resources in South L.A.
This initiative comes at a time when mental health issues among youth are on the rise, driven by factors such as affordability concerns, gun violence, climate change, and social media use. The Ballmer Group’s investment is part of a broader effort to improve economic mobility and access to mental health care in Los Angeles and beyond.