Premium Venue Space for Meaningful Moments in Education, Service & Community

At 440 Elm, we understand that schools, nonprofit organizations, and community groups each have unique needs when bringing people together for meaningful gatherings. Our historic landmark venue provides the versatile backdrop for a wide range of events—from school proms and graduation celebrations to nonprofit workshops and cultural heritage gatherings.

Whether you're planning a school function that creates lifelong memories for students, a nonprofit service program that advances your mission, or a community celebration that honors cultural traditions, our venue offers the perfect blend of inspiring architecture and practical functionality. With our grand Sanctuary ballroom accommodating up to 500 seated guests or 900 theater-style, flexible outdoor Plaza space, exposed-brick Parlor space for meetings of up to 100, and in-house culinary excellence from Bite Catering Couture, we create seamless experiences that elevate your purpose while simplifying the planning process.

Understanding Your School, Nonprofit & Community Needs

• Creating Memorable School Milestones: Educational institutions require venues that transform standard school functions into unforgettable experiences while ensuring student safety and appropriate environments. 440 Elm elevates school events—from proms and homecomings to graduation celebrations and academic honors—with spaces that combine sophistication with practical functionality. Our Sanctuary can accommodate up to 500 students for seated dinners or 900 in theater-style in our main ballroom or 1100 on property, while our flexible spaces allow for dancing, photo opportunities, and interactive activities with age-appropriate food and beverage service.
• Supporting Nonprofit Mission Activities: Nonprofit organizations need spaces that elevate their core service activities, from educational workshops to member meetings and volunteer training. 440 Elm provides a dignified, inspiring environment for these mission-critical gatherings. Our flexible spaces accommodate presentation-style setups for up to 300 attendees with professional audio-visual capabilities, while our in-house catering creates appropriately scaled food and beverage options—from working lunches to coffee service—that support productive engagement while meeting our venue requirements.
• Honoring Cultural Heritage & Traditions: Cultural organizations celebrate identity, preserve traditions, and strengthen community bonds through meaningful gatherings. 440 Elm provides an elegant backdrop for cultural celebrations that honor heritage while accommodating modern needs. Our spaces can be transformed to reflect cultural aesthetics, from vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations to elegant quinceañeras or traditional coming-of-age ceremonies. Our culinary team works closely with cultural organizations to create authentic menus that celebrate culinary traditions while our venue spaces support cultural performances, ceremonies, and multi-generational gathering needs.
• Hosting Faith Community Gatherings: Religious organizations seek versatile venues for worship services, ministry events, and cross-church collaborations. 440 Elm is uniquely positioned to host larger faith gatherings with our former church sanctuary that comfortably accommodates up to 900 attendees in theater-style worship seating. Our space provides excellent acoustics for worship teams and choirs, visibility for teaching and preaching, and flexible seating that supports various worship styles. Beyond services, our multiple spaces support fellowship meals, ministry fairs, and community outreach initiatives with catering options that respect diverse dietary practices and cultural traditions.
• Honoring Service & Achievement: Recognition is vital to schools and community organizations—whether celebrating academic excellence, honoring scholarship recipients, or acknowledging service contributions. 440 Elm creates a backdrop worthy of these accomplishments, with our historic architecture lending gravity and significance to these moments. Our elevated stage ensures award presentations are visible to all attendees, while our culinary team can craft meaningful dining experiences that reflect traditions or honorees' achievements, creating a complete celebration of excellence.

Popular School, Nonprofit & Community Events

School Dances or Debutante Balls

Create magical high school memories in our historic venue. Proms and winter formal events or debutante balls with service organizations typically feature elegant decor, dining stations or seated dinner service, soft and mocktail-based beverage bars, photo areas, and dancing with professional sound. Our classic ballroom helps to elevate the event and make it feel special and exciting!

Whether hosting a dinner and dance format for up to 400 or a post-dinner dance with snacks and desserts, 440 Elm provides a sophisticated yet safe environment within a single event fenced space. Our flexible spaces accommodate dancing in the Sanctuary, photo booths in the foyer, and lounge areas in the Parlor—creating a multi-dimensional experience for those who want to dance or just hang out. Our large ballroom areas are great for dancing and even can be used for some ballroom dance instruction to get the kids out on the floor!

Nonprofit Service Programs & Workshops

Elevate your organization's educational workshops, training sessions, and service-focused gatherings in our inspiring spaces. These events typically feature classroom or theater-style seating for presentations, with catered meal and refreshment service to keep participants energized and engaged.

Training workshops might host 100-150 participants with presentation needs and working lunch service, while larger educational programs can accommodate up to 700 attendees with multiple presenters, breakout spaces for discussion groups, and full catering support throughout the day.

Cultural Celebrations & Heritage Events

Celebrate cultural identity and preserve traditions in a venue that respects and elevates your community's heritage. These events often combine meaningful ceremonies with shared meals that connect generations through cultural expressions and culinary traditions.

From Lunar New Year banquets to traditional dance workshops, cultural award galas to heritage society dinners, 440 Elm accommodates 200-500 guests in a dining format or more roaming in a setting that can be customized to reflect your community's aesthetic traditions. Our culinary team works with cultural organizations to create authentic menus, while our spaces support traditional performances, ceremonial elements, and cultural displays that strengthen community bonds.

Faith-Based Gatherings & Cross-Church Events

Host worship services, ministry conferences, and collaborative faith community events in our historic venue with authentic church architecture. These gatherings typically feature worship-oriented setups, teaching/preaching components, and fellowship meal opportunities that bring denominations and communities together.

Our Sanctuary space accommodates up to 900 attendees in theater-style worship seating with excellent acoustics and sightlines for larger ministry gatherings or choral performance. The flexibility of our spaces allows for main worship sessions in the Sanctuary while the Plaza and Parlor areas can host ministry resource fairs, breakout groups, and community meals. From multi-church worship nights to regional ministry conferences with catered meals, 440 Elm provides a historic church environment with the practical amenities needed for successful faith gatherings.

Recognition & Scholarship Events

Honor achievement and contribution through scholarship dinners, volunteer recognition events, or community leadership ceremonies. These programs typically include a reception followed by a seated dinner and awards presentation that celebrates individual and collective accomplishments.

Formats range from intimate scholarship dinners for 100 honorees and supporters to community-wide recognition events with 500+ attendees. Our culinary team can create menus that complement your organization's cultural heritage or reflect honorees' achievements through thoughtfully designed dining experiences.

Creating Successful Outcomes

• Educational Institutions: Schools face unique challenges in creating memorable yet appropriate celebrations for students and families. Your priorities likely include creating a safe, elegant environment that elevates standard school functions while managing budget constraints. Our approach to school events supports these objectives by offering complete venue buyouts that eliminate concerns about outside interference, while our flexible spaces accommodate everything from formal ceremonies to celebratory dances. We pay particular attention to creating photo-worthy settings throughout the venue, which schools tell us significantly enhances the lasting memories their students create.
• Service-Focused Nonprofits: When hosting mission-driven gatherings at 440 Elm, you're looking to create an environment that inspires engagement, learning, and commitment to your cause. Our venue enhances these goals by providing a setting that elevates your organization's message beyond the everyday. We've found that our thoughtfully designed spaces support productive discussions and meaningful connections, while our catering team can create menu experiences that reflect your organization's values—from sustainable sourcing to culturally-relevant offerings that honor the communities you serve.
• Cultural Organizations: Cultural groups seek venues that both respect traditions and provide modern amenities for multi-generational gatherings. Your priorities often include creating authentic cultural experiences while ensuring practical comforts for all attendees. Our approach supports these goals by providing flexible spaces that can be transformed to reflect your cultural aesthetics, while our culinary team collaborates to create menus that honor culinary traditions. We've worked with diverse cultural organizations to host celebrations that strengthen community bonds while accommodating both ceremonial and social aspects of cultural gatherings.
• Faith Organizations & Ministries: When hosting worship gatherings and ministry events at 440 Elm, you're looking to create an environment that facilitates authentic community and spiritual connection while managing practical logistics. Our venue enhances these goals by providing a worship-ready space with excellent acoustics and sightlines that accommodate diverse worship styles and teaching formats. The architectural features of our former church create a natural backdrop for ministry events, while our flexible spaces support everything from large worship gatherings to ministry resource fairs and fellowship meals. We understand the importance of creating welcoming environments for visitors and regular attendees alike, working closely with ministry leaders to ensure your community feels at home regardless of denomination or worship tradition.
• Member-Based Organizations: Associations and member-based nonprofits require spaces that balance professional development with community building. Your priorities likely include creating environments that facilitate both structured learning and organic networking. Our approach supports these dual objectives by offering flexible spaces that transition seamlessly from formal presentations to interactive discussions, while our culinary offerings can be tailored to complement your program—from brain-boosting breakfast service during morning sessions to more social evening receptions that strengthen member connections.

Making School, Nonprofit & Community Events Happen

Space & Layout Considerations

Our venue's multiple spaces support the varied needs of educational, nonprofit, and community events with flexible configurations:

• Theater-style seating in our Sanctuary for up to 900 attendees for ceremonies and presentations
• Banquet seating for up to 500 guests for formal dinners and celebrations
• Classroom-style arrangements for up to 300 participants for educational workshops
• Reception capacity for up to 1,100 standing guests for large community gatherings
• Multiple breakout areas for concurrent activities, from main programming to networking spaces

Catering & Culinary Considerations

Our in-house catering partner, Bite Catering Couture, creates appropriate dining experiences for each audience:

• Age-appropriate non-alcoholic refreshment stations for school functions
• Budget-conscious yet elegant meal service for nonprofit programs
• Culturally authentic menus that honor community traditions and dietary requirements
• Flexible service styles from buffets and stations to formal plated dinners
• Custom menu design that complements your organization's values and mission

Local Connections & Considerations

Long Beach's diverse community creates unique opportunities for schools and organizations:

• Central location accessible to constituents from throughout Los Angeles and Orange County
• Rich multicultural environment supporting diverse community traditions and celebrations
• Strong network of educational institutions for student-focused programming
• Vibrant nonprofit ecosystem offering collaboration opportunities across organizations

The 440 Elm Difference

At 440 Elm, we understand that schools, nonprofit organizations, and community groups have distinct needs that go beyond just an attractive venue. Our approach combines the historic character and architectural grandeur of our space with the practical functionality required for educational, service-focused, and cultural gatherings.

Unlike hotel ballrooms with rigid packages or raw spaces that require extensive rentals, 440 Elm offers the perfect balance—architectural character that communicates the significance of your event, combined with the practical amenities and professional service that ensure seamless execution. Our woman-owned business perspective means we approach each school function, nonprofit program, and community celebration with an understanding of relationship-building and community impact, creating experiences where your organization's values shine through every detail.

Next Steps

Ready to explore how 440 Elm can elevate your school event, nonprofit program, or community celebration? Contact our team to schedule a private consultation and venue tour. We'll discuss your specific objectives, explore how our spaces can accommodate your unique requirements, and develop solutions tailored to your organization's needs and budget parameters. Let's partner to create experiences that not only meet your practical requirements but advance your educational mission, nonprofit purpose, or community traditions in meaningful ways.