For Nonprofits, St. Nick Arrives Early
At its second annual grants award ceremony, the Laguna Beach Community Foundation awarded a total of $140,550 to 27 local nonprofits, a 76 percent increase compared to a year ago.
“It’s the kind of stuff that is happening today that makes this a wonderful place,” said Mayor Toni Iseman in acknowledging the generosity of the foundation’s donors, many of whom were on hand when the grants were announced last Thursday, Dec. 1, at the home of foundation trustee Don Clurman.
Grants ranged from $10,000 to $550 to fund programs, services and general operations of organizations supporting the environment, education, culture, youth, seniors, social services and animal services. The foundation received 45 applications, grants committee chair Cathy Krinsky said.
Those contributing to the grants included, W. L. Lyons Brown, III; Donnie Crevier; Ellen and Greg Hurley Charitable Fund; Jim and Susie Jaqua; Barbara and Greg MacGillivray’s One World One Ocean Foundation; Scott McIntosh, owner of the Laguna Beach restaurant Asada; and the Massen Greene Foundation.
“They came up with very good ideas,” said Ken Solomon, a board member of the Massen Greene Foundation, established from the estates of Richard C. Massen and Roland M. Greene, owners of North Laguna’s Pyne Castle. By relying on the LBCF’s grant review process, “it allowed more money to go out than if we set up our own grant making department,” he said.
About a third of the funds awarded last week were contributed from the Massen Greene Foundation, Solomon said.
If other private foundation leaders are interested in learning how the Laguna Beach Community Foundation can support their goals, LBCF’s president Darrcy Loveland welcomes a call at 949-715-8223.
A Whale of a Grant Given to PMCC
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center, which received $5,000 from the Laguna Beach Community Foundation, also received a $25,000 grant from Southern California Edison.
The Edison grant will allow 1,750 Orange County elementary students to visit the center and learn about the harmful effects of pollution and trash on the ocean environment.
Funding covers the cost of bus transportation, a three-hour class, activities and a reusable bag for the kids to decorate and keep.
