La Jolla Community Foundation Helps Grow the Local YMCA

To kickoff 2017, the La Jolla Community Foundation (LJCF) looks back on another successful year of grantmaking. In just three years of adopting a competitive grantmaking cycle, LJCF has granted $101,000 to help make La Jolla a better place to work, live and play.

The recent grant cycle focused on programs that enhance the community aesthetics of La Jolla, with members awarding a record $40,000 to three 2016-2017 La Jolla grantees:

• Golden Opportunity Capital Campaign with La Jolla YMCA ($18,500)
• The Ploughman Sculpture and Garden Restoration at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at The Regents of the University of California, UC San Diego ($18,500)
• New Library Signage for La Jolla Branch Library ($3,000)

Fostering Community Pride

Through this grant cycle, LJCF sought programs that would beautify La Jolla and benefit the general population of the community – from early childhood to seniors.

Celebrating 50 years of building community, La Jolla YMCA works to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, thrive, and connect. The organization focuses its work in three key areas – nurturing the potential of kids, helping people live healthier, and supporting neighborhood engagement.

Through its Golden Opportunity Campaign, La Jolla YMCA plans to expand its services and adapt space to better serve the needs of La Jolla residents. The La Jolla YMCA will use the $18,500 grant to fund the beautification of the exterior “welcome” area, which is the first thing the community sees when entering the center.

“This new look will attract volunteers and community groups looking for a regular place to meet,” explained Sue Ball, Regional Vice President of San Diego County YMCA. “We all know the importance of first impressions, and this grant will ensure the community has an amazing first impression of the La Jolla YMCA for many years to come.”

Every day, 1,000 people walk through the doors of the La Jolla YMCA for a variety of programs, services and outreach. Now, thanks to LJCF support, every guest will be welcomed and know that they belong at the YMCA upon stepping through the door.

Get Involved

Through the power of Regional Affiliate Program community pooling, LJCF members are each able to take pride in the fact they play a significant role in growing a more vibrant community in La Jolla.

If you aren’t a member yet, the Regional Affiliate Program is the perfect way to become an active participant in your community’s growth, and to help LJCF reach the unmet needs of well-deserving programs in the community.