January 2020 Letter from Oceanside Board Chair Vince Alessi

Hello, Oceanside Charitable Foundation (OCF) members. I hope that your new year is off to a fantastic start!

Thank you to those that were able to join us for our Holiday Party at the beautiful home of founding member, Colleen O’Harra. It was a great way to say farewell to this decade and come together as community members who care so deeply about Oceanside.

Our current grant cycle is in full swing. The OCF grants committee received 47 applications and the group has already reviewed them. Now, they are beginning the site visit process. It is amazing to see how well this committee is ran. Thank you to our Grants Chair Marva Bledsoe.

I’d also like to note that our Events and Membership Committee is in the beginning stages of planning a Spring Mixer so please keep an eye out for more that.

As we enter our 12th year of grantmaking in the community, I want to give my sincerest thanks to all our members for the continued support and trust in our pooled philanthropy model. It is truly amazing to see our dollars in action, together we can make more impact than alone. Cheers to 2020!

Member Spotlight

Terri Zimdars, a native of San Diego, moved from Encinitas to South Oceanside over a year ago. Most of her time is spent as a board member of Oceanside Museum of Art, as a docent there, and as a grandmother to her nearby grandkids. She also supervises the management of several investment properties. 

Recognizing how much more she could learn about her new community, Terri joined OCF, as well as the North County Philanthropic Council. Since joined, the organizations have introduced her to the wonderful philanthropies and the remarkably generous people in the Oceanside area. 

“I joined to support the charitable people here in Oceanside and make friends with like-minded people. I consider my small donation an investment in my new hometown.”

Grantee Spotlight

With generous support from OCF and its members, Studio ACE has been able to host 24 free art projects at various festivals and art walks in the community. The projects provided children and their parents with an opportunity to be creative in a positive, engaging atmosphere.

“The grant funding from Oceanside Charitable Foundation has really allowed us to establish our place in the Oceanside community as a nonprofit that provides an arts education experience that everyone can afford and enjoy,” shared Julia Fister, Executive Director at Studio ACE. “Because we were able to attend so many festivals and events, more and more community members have been able to participate and share their experiences with others.”

In total, the OCF grant enabled Studio ACE to serve more than 4,500 people and the organization is already making plans for future years. Thank you for helping make art more accessible across Oceanside!

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