The Avila Beach Community Foundation has announced the recipients and projects selected for funding in 2016. The Foundation is a charitable organization that was created to accept donations and fund projects for the enhancement and betterment of the Avila Beach community.
In its more than 15 years of grant making the Foundation has awarded and helped distribute nearly $3 million to benefit more than 140 Avila Beach projects and organizations. For 2016 the Foundation has awarded thirteen grants totaling $52,950.
“The Foundation Trustees were very pleased with the quality of the grant applications received this year,” said Executive Director Rick Cohen. “We believe we have invested well in the organizations, programs and services best equipped to help us meet our mission. While there is always more that can be done, we are pleased to be able to financially support these programs and projects that help enhance the quality of life in Avila Beach”.
Organizations and projects receiving grants in 2016
· Achievement House – Funding for staff to help keep the downtown Avila Beach area clean during the peak visitor season.
· Arts Obispo – Grant to help facilitate the Foundation sponsored Avila Beach Public Art Project.
· Avila Beach Civic Association – Grant to help offset management costs for the organization which provides year-round social and community engagement activities.
· Avila Beach Jr. Lifeguards – Granted funds to continue their Jr. Lifeguard program that hosts 200 youth each summer and brings a sense of vitality and pride to Avila Beach.
· Avila/Pismo Community News – Subsidizing home delivery of the monthly newspaper that provides timely information of activities and services in Avila.
· Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School – Awarded grant to help make iPads available for teaching purposes to all age-appropriate students in the school.
· Cancer Well Fit – A matching grant that provides a free 10-week fitness training and support program at the Avila Bay Club for individuals recovering from cancer.
· Central Coast Aquarium Scientist for a Day Program – Grant to enable schools from low-income areas to visit their facility and learn about the wonders of the ocean.
· Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers – Awarded a matching grant to help build an ADA ramp that leads to a portion of the facility that isn’t currently accessible to all.
· People’s Self Help Housing – Funds to help pay for the facility’s supportive social services for low-income and special needs residents at Lachen Tara Apartments in Avila along with a smaller grant to help those residents struggling to keep up with rising water utility bills.
· Port San Luis Harbor District – Funding to help pay for the nearly 100,000 “Mutts Mitts” used each year by responsible dog-walkers.
· San Luis Obispo International Film Festival – Grant to host a film festival event at an Avila Beach venue.
· South County Area Transit (SCAT) – Subsidizing of free rides on the Avila Beach Trolley to help mitigate traffic and parking issues.
Interested members of the community can help the Foundation by establishing a Donor Advised Fund. Doing so gives an immediate tax deduction benefit, as well as a “say” in how funds in your account are invested in community projects. No fees are charged by the Foundation, so the entire donation goes directly to the appropriate sources. To learn more about this opportunity, call 805-595-4095.
