Avila Beach Community Foundation

805.595.4095

  • About Us
    • Foundation History
    • Foundation Mission
    • Board of Trustees & Staff
    • Board Meeting Minutes
    • Monthly News & Views
    • Foundation Past & Current Projects
    • Avila Community Surveys
    • Foundation 990 Tax Filings
  • Grant Info
    • How to Apply
    • Current Grantees
    • Past Grantees
  • Charitable Giving
    • Ways to Give
    • Donor Advised & Special Project Funds
  • Community Links
  • Avila History
    • Avila Historical Film & Photo Gallery
    • Avila Storytelling Event
  • Contact Us

September 2020

9/3/2020

0 Comments

 
Greetings, fellow Avilones.  I begin this month’s column with a heavy heart.  I imagine all of you are by now aware of the death of SLO County District 3 Supervisor Adam Hill.  Though the news is about a month old, Adam’s passing leaves me sad on both a personal and professional level.  Over the past eleven years, Supervisor Hill had been a consistent and generous supporter of numerous “Foundation” events, projects and programs to benefit Avila Beach.  The list is long, and highlighted by monetary gifts to help bring public art to Avila for all to enjoy.  The man I knew was a strong advocate for the homeless and those suffering from mental health issues.  Politics can be ugly and divisive, casting opponents with opposing view as villains.  Some in office vie for power, some for personal gain, and some for a platform to advance causes of special interest.  I believe Adam will be best remembered as a champion of the underserved and most needy members of society.

As we approach the end of the “dog days of summer”, I hope we can look back at this period in our lives and use what we have experienced and learned to a future advantage.  We at the “Foundation” have learned and embraced the importance of being flexible when it comes to our role of supporting local interests.  At the July meeting of our Board of Trustees it was decided to alter for this year our usual grant-making procedures.   Our normal application and selection process, which entails a comprehensive and competitive approach to ensure a level playing field, will be set aside for this next round of grant-making due to the uncertain status of partner agencies and staff.  In its place, all eligible agencies that received grants in 2020 will automatically receive the same amount for 2021 without having to go through a competitive process, if or when they are open for business.  Additionally, the amounts granted can be used for whatever purposes the recipient agencies deem to be most vital to their operations, instead of for a specific project or program.

At the same board meeting, we adopted the following policy statement in reaction to current economic challenges:
 
The Avila Beach Community Foundation, in operation since 1998, exists to enhance life in the Avila Beach communities for all who reside in, work in, or visit our town.  Since the year 2000, the “Foundation” has annually awarded grants to local non-profit organizations that provide community enrichment programs/projects/services that align with the “Foundation’s” mission.  In times of unanticipated economic stress, such as now being experienced locally and globally, the “Foundation” will attempt, when possible, to extend assistance in situations that threaten the welfare of non-profit, community or public agencies that provide core services to humans or wildlife in the Avila Beach communities.  Our infrastructure and resources are extremely limited, thus requests for assistance will be addressed on a case by case basis as received.  For agencies in need of assistance, it is highly recommended that they also reach out to sources with greater capacity, such as the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County, or the United Way of San Luis Obispo County.  For individuals who are having difficulty meeting their basic needs, numerous organizations throughout the central coast exist to provide assistance.   For comprehensive information about the services available, dial the United Way 24-hour information line: “211”, or search online:  211 United Way of San Luis Obispo County.
 
As you can see, the “Foundation” stands ready to assist our local non-profits to the best of our ability during this critical time.  We likewise encourage our local neighbors to offer their support and generosity to help preserve an important link to the history and welfare of Avila Beach.  Speaking of generous neighbors, you may recall my plea last month for a donor “Angel” willing to cover the $250 insurance deductible needed toward replacement costs of the public art mural panel stolen from one of the Avila Lifeguard Towers last winter.  Quickly coming to the rescue was a fellow Avilone family that wishes to remain anonymous.  We are most appreciative of their generosity and swift action.  I also want to thank and recognize three folks – Cyndy Lakowske, Karen Blue and Kim Jeffrey - who have volunteered to help with upkeep of the Central Coast Aquarium art panels once plans are finalized by artist Colleen Gnos. 

That’s it for now, fellow Avilones.  See you at the beach.
0 Comments
    Picture
    Rick Cohen
    Executive Director


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

    RSS Feed

About Us
Our History
Historical Photo Gallery
Our Mission
Board of Trustees & Staff
Monthly News & Views
Foundation Projects
990 Tax Filings
Grant Information
How to Apply - Annual Grants
Current Grantees
Past Grantees

Charitable Giving
Ways to Give
Donor Advised Funds

Community Links

"Like us"

Picture
Stay informed on Facebook

Sign Up For Newsletter
For Email Newsletters you can trust.
Avila Beach Community Foundation | PO Box 297 |191 San Miguel Street  Avila Beach, CA 93424-0297 |
Ph: 805.595.4095
avilafoundation@gmail.com|
Contact Us | Trustee Portal

BACK TO TOP

© DivTag Templates Ltd | All Rights Reserved