WE LISTEN.
WE BUILD.
WE STAY.
Since 2020, It's Bigger Than Us has grown from a pandemic-era response team into permanent community infrastructure serving Los Angeles and beyond.
A QUESTION, NOT A PLAN
Founded in 2020 during COVID-19 with “How can I help you?” cards distributed in Los Angeles neighborhoods. The answers were immediate: food, school supplies, health resources, someone who would listen.
From weekly food distributions to a 3-pillar organization serving 62,475+ students. Expanded to Miami in 2024. By 2025, running the largest community-based wildfire relief operation in LA while serving 28,025 students across 34 school sites.
COMMUNITY IS THE INFRASTRUCTURE
We go where people already are, listen to what they need, and build systems around those needs. Every program is place-based — rooted in specific schools, neighborhoods, and community spaces.
We don't parachute in. We listen, we build, and we stay.
It's Bigger Than Us builds trusted, place-based programs that support youth, families, and neighborhoods through education, health access, and crisis response — designed with dignity, informed by community, and built to last.
VisionA city where every family has barrier-free access to the resources, care, and community infrastructure they need to thrive — not just survive.
CRISIS & DISASTER STABILIZATION
When crisis hits, IBTU is already there. We stabilize families through rapid response, trusted relief, and long-term recovery.
SCHOOL & YOUTH STABILITY
When families face instability, students feel it first. IBTU works inside schools to protect attendance, engagement, and opportunity.
COMMUNITY HEALTH & RESOURCE ACCESS
From food distributions and dental screenings to mental health sessions — IBTU removes barriers to health and essentials.
TIMELINE
IT'S BIGGER THAN US IS FOUNDED
Founded during COVID-19 with 'How can I help you?' cards distributed in Los Angeles neighborhoods. Immediate responses: food, school supplies, health resources, someone who would listen.
FoundationWEEKLY FOOD DISTRIBUTION NETWORK LAUNCHED
Expanded to regular weekly food distributions serving Los Angeles. 33,000+ families served annually.
Community Health & Resource AccessFIRST LAUSD SCHOOL CONTRACTS AWARDED
Secured initial school partnerships. 3rd Annual Back 2 School Festival. LA County Women's Empowerment Recognition.
School & Youth StabilitySCHOOL PROGRAM NETWORK EXPANSION
Scaled to 8 school sites with formal programming. 9,800 students served. 4th Annual B2S at Leimert Park. Peak food year: 54,000 families, 410,000 lbs.
School & Youth StabilityFIRST MAJOR GOVERNMENT RECOGNITIONS
Full City Council Recognition (CD8). First proclamations from elected officials. Bridge Builder Award from Supervisor Holly Mitchell.
RecognitionMULTISTATE EXPANSION & PROGRAM DIVERSIFICATION
Expanded to Miami with Baby2Baby (498,075 items). Launched Coastal Care. 14,150 students served. Top 100 CA Nonprofit.
Community Health & Resource AccessMAJOR CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS SECURED
Deepened partnerships with lululemon, Baby2Baby, and brand sponsors. Institutional health partnerships with Charles Drew University and USC All of Us.
PartnershipsLA WILDFIRE RESPONSE — LARGEST OPERATION
Mobilized in 72 hours. Within 90 days, established permanent Relief Hub at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. 5,000+ families stabilized. 3,500+ volunteers. 15,000+ meals.
Crisis & Disaster StabilizationHUB LAUNCH & PERMANENT INFRASTRUCTURE
Opened Disaster Relief and Recovery Hub. 324 active clients, 7,581 assistance instances, 23.4 avg visits per client. Full government recognition ceremonies.
Crisis & Disaster StabilizationRECORD SCHOOL & YOUTH PROGRAMMING SCALE
28,025 students across 34 school sites — more than all prior years combined. Alliance Charter partnership expanded to 25 campuses ($1.9M Sol de Janeiro distribution).
School & Youth StabilityCONGRESSIONAL & NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Inaugural Changemaker Award from U.S. Congress. Featured on Jennifer Hudson Show. Good Morning America feature. 75+ media placements.
RecognitionSUSTAINED IMPACT & COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE VISION
Continuing Hub operations, MegaFEAST relaunch, Coastal Care expansion. IBTU is no longer an emergency responder — it is permanent community infrastructure.
FoundationTHIS WORK DOES NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU
Every volunteer shift, every sponsorship dollar, every shared post expands the reach of community-built infrastructure.
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