SOLANA BEACH — The Solana Beach City Council awarded $62,000 in grants to 14 local nonprofits last week as part of its 2026-27 community grant program.
This year’s grant program offered $60,000 in community grants, comprising $45,000 in General Fund dollars and $15,000 from EDCO as part of its community enhancement efforts through its solid waste franchise agreement with the city.
On July 1, the City Council awarded $47,000 of the $60,000 available, with the remaining $13,000 to be set aside for later use in the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The council also awarded $15,000 in separate public arts reserve funds to three arts-focused nonprofits.
Fourteen local organizations submitted funding requests totaling $65,000, with a possibility of receiving up to $5,000 each. Several of the applicants have received city grants in past years.
Governing Affairs Manager Dion Akers said all of last year’s recipients have submitted financial documentation of how funds were spent, and that no significant concerns were identified during staff review.
Grant recipients
Impact Coastal Alliance, formerly Assistance League of Rancho San Dieguito, was granted $3,000 for its Operation School Bell initiative, which gives local families in need the opportunity to shop for new clothes at Marshalls.
The Boys and Girls Club of Northwest San Diego was granted $5,000 for its Arts Alive! programming at the La Colonia Clubhouse introduces youth to different types of art and provides 40 students with a field trip to the New Children’s Museum. 
“For young people, arts is essential for their development. The youth we serve don’t have the opportunity always to participate in art and art experiences,” said Director of Grants Vanessa Marshall.
Cal Western School of Law received $5,000 for its Community Law Project, which provides free legal clinics to Solana Beach residents on housing, family, immigration and employment issues.
The organization has been providing services in the city since 2015, assisting around 75 people per year. These services have been crucial for families dealing with the impacts of increased immigration enforcement.
“We also serve as a lifeline, I would say, for emergency situations. I will often have some of our local partners call me if there’s a family in crisis. Over the last year and a half, that has been a little bit more — well, a lot more — prevalent than I would have liked,” said Community Law Project Executive Director Dana Sisitsky.
Casa de Amistad received $5,000 to support mental health initiatives as part of its after-school tutoring and mentoring program, Kinder to College, which serves around 250 students in grades K-12.
Community Resource Center in Encinitas requested $5,000 for its Holiday Baskets Program, which provides a dignified shopping experience for low-income households in coastal North County receiving services from CRC.
CRC representatives said the program served 12 Solana Beach residents this year, with a goal of serving 15.
The City Council chose to grant $2,000 for their request, stating that while they love and support the work of the CRC, they would like to see more local residents benefit from the holiday baskets.
“I have difficulty supporting the grant application in the full amount. While holiday gift baskets is a really heartwarming program, our grant dollars are meant to support Solana Beach residents, and what we’re hearing is 12 last year, maybe up to 15 this year,” said Councilmember Jewel Edson. 
Councilmember Dave Zito noted that this may not represent the true number of Solana Beach residents served by the program, since each participating member may be shopping for their family members as well.
Councilmember Jill MacDonald said she would also like to see more specificity in CRC’s grant application regarding the demographics of the residents served by the program.
La Colonia Community Foundation was awarded $5,000 to provide ongoing educational workshops and information about community resources for residents of La Colonia de Eden Gardens.
Mainly Mozart Inc. received $5,000 in funding for its youth orchestra after some debate among the council members. The San Diego-based organization sponsors classical music programs for youth, including a youth orchestra that practices and holds public performances in Solana Beach.
Around nine of the approximately 350 youth orchestra participants are Solana Beach residents, said board member Jonathan Goodmacher. Council members initially debated whether to provide them with funding, but said they would like to give it a chance for this year, with the request that the organization reach out to more disadvantaged youth and advertise the local free concerts.
“I would like to give this one a chance, and if we don’t get the bang for the buck, we can re-evaluate,” Edson said.
Pathways to Citizenship received $5,000 for its Keeping Families Together project and will use the funds to provide education, advice, and legal representation for Solana Beach residents facing removal proceedings.
Solana Beach Backpacks for Kids Inc., also known as the Solana Beach Free Farmers Market, received $5,000 for its ongoing efforts to “rescue” fresh produce from going to the landfill and provide it to residents in need through a weekly free market at La Colonia Park.
The Solana Beach Civic and Historical Society received $2,000 to support professional videography and editing services for its website, maintenance of digital assets, and scanning of archival materials.
Solana Beach Community Connections received $5,000 for its services for local seniors. The grant will cover educational workshops, game days, community fairs, speakers, and holiday baskets for isolated seniors in the community.
The city’s grant makes up nearly half of SBCC’s total annual budget.
“The support the city has given is very vital to us,” said President Peter Gourevitch.
Public arts reserve funding
Available public arts reserve funding was split evenly between three nonprofits, each receiving $5,000. These nonprofits are Jalisciense Folkloric Academy, North Coast Repertory Theatre, and Solana Beach Community Theatre.
Jalisciense Folkloric Academy President Elba Montes teaches traditional folkloric dance to local youth in La Colonia de Eden Gardens, who then perform at city events. Funds will be used to buy costumes and repair the stage where the group practices.
North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach will use the grant for its Theatre School, which is holding public performances this summer of William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale.” Free performances will take place throughout North County, including at La Colonia Park on July 30 and 31.
Solana Beach Community Theatre will use its grant for improved sound equipment to support year-round shows and the theatre’s Leadership-in-Training program.
