March 11th Update: Arch Dedication Postponed

Due to escalating health concerns relating to the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we are taking proactive action to protect the health and well-being of our community members and are postponing our March 12 Escondido Giving Arch dedication. We apologize for any inconvenience and we thank you for understanding. The Giving Arch dedication will be rescheduled to a later date.

Media Advisory

February 24, 2020

WHAT:

Escondido Community Foundation (ECF), an affiliate of The San Diego Foundation, announced that it will dedicate the 40-foot by 108-foot welcome arch over Grand Avenue at Centre City Parkway on March 12 at 6:00pm. The arch, named “The Giving Arch” in recognition of the generosity and community spirit of Escondido residents will be lit for the first time by Escondido City officials and leaders of the Escondido Community Foundation, who donated The Giving Arch to the City of Escondido. The gift is thanks to an anonymous gift from an Escondido resident, as well as other generous community donors. The design of The Giving Arch reflects the architectural lines of Escondido City Hall and the philanthropic spirit of the community and will welcome both residents and visitors to Escondido.


The Downtown Business Association, the City of Escondido, the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, the Escondido History and the Escondido Community Foundation invite the entire community to celebrate with free festivities beginning at 6:00pm. Local high school bands, mariachis, ballet folklorico and other entertainment will delight the crowds before The Giving Arch lighting at dusk. Local restaurants will also have special offerings in their nearby locations.

WHEN:Thursday, March 12, 2020
  • 6:00 p.m. – Free entertainment and festivities for the community
  • Dusk – Lighting of The Giving Arch
WHERE:The intersection of Centre City Parkway and Grand Avenue
Escondido, CA 92025
WHY:

The Giving Arch complements ECF’s past two grant cycles, which invested in programs and projects that focused on enhancing the Escondido community. ECF was founded to provide community members a vehicle to increase effective and responsible philanthropy in Escondido. Through more than a decade of grantmaking, ECF has addressed a wide range of community issues including health and human services; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education; access to the outdoors; advancing arts & culture and more.

“The Giving Arch pays homage to the spirit of what we do at the Escondido Community Foundation and the anonymous donor who entrusted us with carrying out a project like this that fosters community pride and identity,” explained Lisa Ruder, Board Member at ECF.

“Since 2006, the Escondido Community Foundation has served as a catalyst of community impact for those who live, work and visit Escondido,” explained Jacquie Skay, Board Chair for ECF. “In just 14 years, ECF has awarded $2.4 million in grants to 48 nonprofit organizations serving the community of Escondido and has built a $1.5 million endowment which will provide for community needs in perpetuity.” To learn more about ECF or become a member, contact Trudy Armstrong at trudy@sdfoundation.org.

Contacts

Trudy Armstrong: trudy@sdfoundation.org; 619-764-8602
Teresa Collins: tcollins@escondido.org; 760-839-4507