Encinitas City Council Awards Record Number of Grants to Community Organizations

At its July 13 meeting Encinitas City Council allocated $128,000 to 48 arts and civic organizations, the highest number of grants awarded in a single year, through the city of Encinitas and the Mizel Family Foundation’s Community Grant Program (CGP).

The CGP assists nonprofit organizations with accomplishing projects and programs that directly benefit the residents of Encinitas. The Mizel Family Foundation provided a dollar-for-dollar match to the city’s budgeted allocation of $64,000, bringing the total funding available to $128,000. The Mizel Family Foundation has made an annual matching donation since 2007.  

"This generous donation by the Mizel Family Foundation is a most special and wonderful gift to worthy organizations and projects," Encinitas Mayor James Bond said.

The CGP provides funding to civic organizations, which includes social, recreation, education, health and environmental efforts — and arts organizations, which includes visual arts, performing arts, arts education and literary arts efforts. Of the 48 grants awarded, 22 went to arts organizations and 26 went to civic organizations, for programs that will take place from July 2011 through June 2012.

In order to qualify, organizations must be legally established with nonprofit or tax exempt status, be based in Encinitas, or provide direct service to Encinitas residents. 

Requests for funding are considered through an application process. The grant applications were reviewed by a panel, which was comprised of one member from each of the city’s five commissions: arts, environment, parks and recreation, senior and youth.

After review by the panel, the highest ranked applicant was Encinitas-based  (RCHS). It received a grant for $4,500 — which is nearly the maximum allowed grant amount of $5,000. 

"Rancho Coastal Humane Society is honored to receive this grant, voted on by people who know first-hand ” said Jim Silveira, RCHS CEO and president. “We vow to put the funds to good use to rebuild the pet food bank facility.”

Listed below are some of the projects that also received funding:

• will open on weekends
• The CERT ambulance will be outfitted with communication equipment
• Cancer patients and at-risk youth will participate in ongoing visual art therapy programs
• Up to 350 low income children will receive new clothing to start the school year
• Hand Up Youth Food Pantry will provide food and services to Encinitas low income families
• in Olivenhain will receive electrical power hookup and an ADA bathroom
• Free Yoga for Seniors classes offered weekly at the Encinitas and Cardiff library and the
• Hundreds of Encinitas children and youth will be bused to four San Diego Opera productions
• The Encinitas Boathouses will receive new roofs
• Study Buddy, a high school student mentoring/tutoring program in elementary schools 
• 1st annual citywide Festival of the Arts at the San Dieguito Academy Performing Arts Center