Thanks to the generosity of the publishers of the Avila News, I am pleased to introduce the first of what will be a regular column featuring the Avila Beach Community Foundation. I am sure most readers wonder just what the “Foundation” is, even though it has been in existence for more than eight years and has left an indelible imprint on the community.
To be brief, the “Foundation” was formed as a vehicle to accept a sum of money provided by UNOCAL as part of the environmental beach cleanup settlement, and to establish and manage an endowment—in perpetuity—with investment earnings to be used for projects to enhance the community of Avila Beach. One need look no further than the reconstructed Avila Beach Community Center and the presence of the free weekend trolley as examples of projects made possible by the Foundation. In fact, our list of funded local projects is long and amounts to a community investment of roughly $1.8 million since inception.
New Executive Director
My name is Rick Cohen, and I am honored to be the newly appointed Executive Director (ED) of the Avila Beach Community Foundation. It is my pleasure to follow in the footsteps of the Foundation’s founding ED Boyd Horne, who retired recently after eight formidable years. The Board recognized Boyd for his illustrious accomplishments at a special reception on January 20. Fortunately we will still benefit by his involvement as Boyd has joined the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Trustees
Our Foundation Board, all continuing their service in 2009, and all with ties to Avila Beach or Avila Valley, include Mike Ritter, President and past Treasurer; Ted Ivarie, Vice President; Bill Gerrish, Treasurer and past President; and Jackie Prather, Secretary; past President Lynn Helenius; past secretary Cyndie Neotti; Pete Kelley, chair of the Avila History project; Darrin Scott, husband of founding Trustee, Julie Andrews-Sott; Kristin Grife, daughter of long-time former Trustee Kurt Grife; Carolyn Morton; and former ED Boyd Horne, who will chair a new project—an art plan for Avila that will include developing a plan to repair the water feature on the Promenade. Sandy Keller also continues as a community member of the Board’s Investment Committee.
2009 Grants Announced
In our ninth continuous year of awarding community grants, the Foundation Board awarded $50,600 for eleven 2009 grants for the following projects:
· Avila Beach free weekend Trolley service, collaborative grant with Regional Transit Authority to help with operational expenses ($5000)
· A new Avila Beach entrance sign, collaborative grant with the Avila Beach Civic Association, Avila Beach Business Association, Port San Luis Harbor District, and SLO County ($3500)
· Front Street seasonal cleanup by Achievement House, collaborative grant with the Avila Beach Civic Association and SLO County ($5000)
· Restoration/preservation of the Avila Beach 1942 Dodge Fire Truck, collaborative grant with the Avila Beach CSD and Cal Fire ($1500)
· Program Coordinator for the Avila Community Center, collaborative grant with the Avila Beach Civic Association ($15,000)
· Avila Beach Junior Lifeguard Program, collaborative grant with the Port San Luis Harbor District ($9500)
· Avila Beach Pale Kai Junior Outrigger Program ($7100)
· History grant to archive historic Avila photos and to develop a permanent plaque about Avila Beach history for the Community Center exterior ($1500)
· Avila Beach Calendar, monthly nonprofit events and contacts, plus traffic alerts, collaborative with the Avila Beach CSD and the Avila Community News ($1500)
· Development funding for an Art Plan for Avila Beach ($500)
· Development funding for the Restoration of the Avila Beach Water Feature on the Promenade ($500)
Open Foundation Meetings
We will hold our next quarterly Board meeting on April 21 at 7 pm at the Avila Community Center. At that time we will start building a new strategic plan for the Foundation’s next decade. We welcome your attendance and participation.
Grant Ideas Sought for 2010
The Board encourages community input for grant ideas that will enhance the community. Please discuss your idea with a Trustee or the ED before September 1, or send us an email message to avilafoundation@gmail.com.
And remember to ride the Avila Trolley on weekends! Our ridership helps ensure that Avila can keep its Trolley free and running.
To be brief, the “Foundation” was formed as a vehicle to accept a sum of money provided by UNOCAL as part of the environmental beach cleanup settlement, and to establish and manage an endowment—in perpetuity—with investment earnings to be used for projects to enhance the community of Avila Beach. One need look no further than the reconstructed Avila Beach Community Center and the presence of the free weekend trolley as examples of projects made possible by the Foundation. In fact, our list of funded local projects is long and amounts to a community investment of roughly $1.8 million since inception.
New Executive Director
My name is Rick Cohen, and I am honored to be the newly appointed Executive Director (ED) of the Avila Beach Community Foundation. It is my pleasure to follow in the footsteps of the Foundation’s founding ED Boyd Horne, who retired recently after eight formidable years. The Board recognized Boyd for his illustrious accomplishments at a special reception on January 20. Fortunately we will still benefit by his involvement as Boyd has joined the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Trustees
Our Foundation Board, all continuing their service in 2009, and all with ties to Avila Beach or Avila Valley, include Mike Ritter, President and past Treasurer; Ted Ivarie, Vice President; Bill Gerrish, Treasurer and past President; and Jackie Prather, Secretary; past President Lynn Helenius; past secretary Cyndie Neotti; Pete Kelley, chair of the Avila History project; Darrin Scott, husband of founding Trustee, Julie Andrews-Sott; Kristin Grife, daughter of long-time former Trustee Kurt Grife; Carolyn Morton; and former ED Boyd Horne, who will chair a new project—an art plan for Avila that will include developing a plan to repair the water feature on the Promenade. Sandy Keller also continues as a community member of the Board’s Investment Committee.
2009 Grants Announced
In our ninth continuous year of awarding community grants, the Foundation Board awarded $50,600 for eleven 2009 grants for the following projects:
· Avila Beach free weekend Trolley service, collaborative grant with Regional Transit Authority to help with operational expenses ($5000)
· A new Avila Beach entrance sign, collaborative grant with the Avila Beach Civic Association, Avila Beach Business Association, Port San Luis Harbor District, and SLO County ($3500)
· Front Street seasonal cleanup by Achievement House, collaborative grant with the Avila Beach Civic Association and SLO County ($5000)
· Restoration/preservation of the Avila Beach 1942 Dodge Fire Truck, collaborative grant with the Avila Beach CSD and Cal Fire ($1500)
· Program Coordinator for the Avila Community Center, collaborative grant with the Avila Beach Civic Association ($15,000)
· Avila Beach Junior Lifeguard Program, collaborative grant with the Port San Luis Harbor District ($9500)
· Avila Beach Pale Kai Junior Outrigger Program ($7100)
· History grant to archive historic Avila photos and to develop a permanent plaque about Avila Beach history for the Community Center exterior ($1500)
· Avila Beach Calendar, monthly nonprofit events and contacts, plus traffic alerts, collaborative with the Avila Beach CSD and the Avila Community News ($1500)
· Development funding for an Art Plan for Avila Beach ($500)
· Development funding for the Restoration of the Avila Beach Water Feature on the Promenade ($500)
Open Foundation Meetings
We will hold our next quarterly Board meeting on April 21 at 7 pm at the Avila Community Center. At that time we will start building a new strategic plan for the Foundation’s next decade. We welcome your attendance and participation.
Grant Ideas Sought for 2010
The Board encourages community input for grant ideas that will enhance the community. Please discuss your idea with a Trustee or the ED before September 1, or send us an email message to avilafoundation@gmail.com.
And remember to ride the Avila Trolley on weekends! Our ridership helps ensure that Avila can keep its Trolley free and running.
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