Poway Community Foundation awards $106K in grants

The Poway Community Foundation has awarded $106,000 in grants, shared among 16 local programs that benefit Powegians.

The 2025 grant recipients were announced on Dec. 2, which was GivingTuesday. They are working to strengthen families, expand the arts, support vulnerable residents and improve the quality of life across Poway, according to foundation officials.

The foundation supports programs in the range of $2,500 to $10,000 and requires funds to be used in Poway for a specific or defined project. Organizations received varying amounts based on their application request.

“Supporting these local organizations allows the Poway Community Foundation to directly strengthen our community,” said foundation Co-Chair Ginger Couvrette. “From helping families in need to expanding arts and educational opportunities, these grants make a real difference in the lives of Poway residents and help our city thrive.”

Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center received $7,978 to help with several projects. The center supports children and adults with special needs and provides horse riding lessons at its Poway ranch.

One of the projects will be replacing the worn perimeter fencing for a riding arena on their property, said executive director Allie Sarnataro.

The grant will also help support the medical care for one of their many therapy horses.

“We are a second-year grantee of the Poway Community Foundation, which is super exciting,” Sarnataro said. “The foundation and its board have been so supportive of everything we do.”

Poway OnStage received $10,000 to support its Arts in Education Initiative. Executive director Sharlene O’Keefe said the grant will help cover the cost of tickets and transportation for students from Valley Elementary, one of their official Partner Schools, to attend the student matinee programs.

This program gives every student at Valley the opportunity to attend a professional matinee performance each school year. O’Keefe said the Partner School Program has consistently demonstrated a lasting impact on student engagement and learning.

“This generous support from the Poway Community Foundation is what makes these meaningful experiences possible for our local students,” O’Keefe said.

The Poway Symphony Orchestra Foundation, a first-time grantee, was awarded $5,000 for its student outreach program. The orchestra will send small groups of musicians into local schools to provide musical enrichment programs. This includes playing music and giving information about instruments and the orchestra.

“We are extremely anxious to have our own musicians go in to provide a wonderful new musical experience for students,” said Jim Reid, Poway Symphony Orchestra Foundation president.

Reid said he hopes the outreach programs will generate support for the orchestra’s concerts held throughout the year.

“We are absolutely delighted, it’s a great honor and we are deeply appreciative of recognition from the Poway community and the Poway Community Foundation,” Reid said.

Many other grants were also awarded.

A $2,500 grant was awarded to Birthline of San Diego County to provide diapers, formula, clothing, car seats and other essentials to Poway families with young children.

A $4,000 grant was awarded to Friends of the Poway Library to support art and music therapy for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A $10,000 grant was awarded to the Kiwanis Club of Poway to fund its Holiday with Heroes program, a holiday experience for 150 students providing gifts, dinner and other resources.

A $10,000 grant was awarded to the National Foundation for Autism Research to help Poway businesses hire neurodivergent individuals through training, screening and ongoing support.

A $5,000 grant was awarded to Neighborhood Healthcare to help provide healthcare access for low-income residents through MediCal enrollment assistance and literacy outreach.

A $8,575 grant was awarded to the Pomerado Elementary School Foundation to purchase a movable display system for students to showcase their artwork at school events.

A $2,000 grant was awarded to the Poway Neighborhood Emergency Corps to launch a pilot defensible space and wildfire mitigation program.

A $5,000 grant was awarded to the Poway Performing Arts Company to expand outreach to seniors and students through free theater workshops and tickets.

A $9,982 grant was awarded to the Poway Unified School District Foundation to fund adaptive swings at 13 elementary schools to increase playground accessibility for students with disabilities.

A $10,000 grant was awarded to Poway Valley Senior Citizens Corporation to enhance the Older Adults Meal Program to boost social connection and mental well-being.

A $3,500 grant was awarded to Soroptimist International of Poway to provide laptops for domestic violence survivors in transitional housing to support education, job searches and schoolwork.

A $5,000 grant was awarded to Steadfast Foster and Adoptive Support to launch Connect Groups in Poway, offering peer support and trauma-informed childcare for families.

An $8,000 grant was awarded to The Community Food Connection to install climate control equipment to ensure uninterrupted food distribution to more than 9,000 people annually.

For more information about the Poway Community Foundation and next year’s funding guidelines, visit powaycommunityfoundation.org.