About FOWLA

Friends of Westwood Recreation Complex, also known as Friends of West L.A., is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to support the schools, parks, libraries, police, and firefighters of the Westside of Los Angeles.

Welcome to Friends of West L.A.

FOWLA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 26-1693591) dedicated to improving the infrastructure of the West Los Angeles area through contributions to city facilities, including schools, parks, libraries, police, and fire. We pursue any other means consistent with the limitations of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).

Governance

FOWLA is governed by a volunteer board of directors. We generate returns from our investments, which are provided with no strings attached to the recipient facilities. We also accept contributions.

How You Can Contribute

We welcome general contributions, but we also accept donations that can be specifically allocated to any of the facilities we support. You can choose to dedicate your contribution to a particular school, park, library, police station, or fire station. To make a contribution, please visit our Donate page.

Funding Policy

All facilities receive the same level of funding. The facilities were selected as they provided services to the homeowners associations who participated during the creation of FOWLA. Please note that existing facilities cannot be removed from the recipient list and new facilities cannot be added, except when a contributor directs new funds for another facility or project. In the case of donor-directed contributions, the FOWLA board will make sure the contributor's wishes as to the use of their contribution are honored.

Financial Oversight

The FOWLA board does not exercise any control over facility funds, except to ensure that the funds are not directed to individuals. We ensure that expenditures are approved by the person in charge at the facility, and that funds are used to benefit the recipient facility. The person in charge varies depending on the facility:

  • Schools: Principal
  • Parks: Park Director
  • Libraries: Librarian
  • Police: West LAPD Captain(s)
  • Fire Stations: Captain(s) or Firefighter in charge of House Dues
As stated in our bylaws, FOWLA is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Our goal is to improve the infrastructure of the West Los Angeles area through contributions to city facilities, including schools, parks, libraries, police, and fire. We aim to improve the efficiency of local facilities and the operation of local government, and we pursue any other means consistent within the limitations of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).

Annual Allocations

FacilityPercentageEst. Annual Contribution
West Los Angeles Police Department11%$27,500
Los Angeles Fire Station 922.5%$6,250
Los Angeles Fire Station 432.5%$6,250
Los Angeles Fire Station 372.5%$6,250
Los Angeles Fire Station 592.5%$6,250
Westwood Charter Elementary12.3%$30,625
Overland Elementary12.3%$30,625
Fairburn Elementary12.3%$30,625
Castle Heights Elementary12.3%$30,625
Westwood Recreation Center7.3%$18,333
Palms Recreation Center7.3%$18,333
Cheviot Hills Recreation Center7.3%$18,333
Palms-Rancho Park Library4%$10,000
Westwood Library4%$10,000
Total100%$250,000

Board of Directors

ME
Michael Eveloff
President
JG
Jim Goodman
Vice President
GG
Geralyn Goodman
Secretary
SS
Steve Sines
Treasurer
JG
Joseph Galloway
Executive Director
LL
Laura Lake
Board Member
JB
Jobe Benjamin
Board Member

Schools

  • Fairburn Elementary
  • Overland Elementary
  • Westwood Charter
  • Castle Heights Elementary
  • Emerson Community Charter
  • Palms Middle School

Parks

  • Cheviot Hills Recreation Center
  • Palms Recreation Center
  • Westwood Recreation Center

Libraries

  • Westwood Library
  • Palms-Rancho Park Library

Police

  • West Los Angeles Community Police Station

Fire

  • Los Angeles Fire Station 37
  • Los Angeles Fire Station 43
  • Los Angeles Fire Station 59
  • Los Angeles Fire Station 92