Downtown Difference

Welcome to the Downtown Difference, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to uplift, beautify, and energize the heart of our city, Downtown Long Beach.

We believe that thriving cities are built from the ground up through both economic development efforts and via thriving public spaces that feel safe, beautiful, and welcoming to all. That’s why our mission is to support the revitalization, growth, and prosperity of Downtown Long Beach through community service, public art, placemaking, beautification, and inclusive programming. From murals and neighborhood cleanups to inclusive public events and volunteer-powered projects, the Downtown Difference focus on initiatives that directly improve quality of life and create visible, people-first impact.

We aren’t a traditional nonprofit, and we’re not a government agency; we’re something in between. The Downtown Difference is nimble, collaborative, and rooted in the belief that public space is for everyone. We strive to amplify the voices of diverse communities and to ensure that Downtown Long Beach grows in a way that reflects its people: bold, resilient, and beautifully diverse.

Although The Downtown Difference is newly formed, our roots run deep. As a sister organization to the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance), we stand on a strong foundation of progress. For years as the Alliance, we have transformed Downtown through innovative programs, public-private partnerships, and a deep commitment to place-based investment. From installing street signage and supporting small businesses to leading public art campaigns and community cleanups, we have helped make Downtown Long Beach what it is today.