WHAT WE DO
WHAT WE DO...
Together with our donors, we fund and implement initiatives through our nonprofit partners addressing unmet needs in three priority area:
Health & Wellness: We are a small town with a community that includes growing families, long-time residents, Navy personnel, and part-time homeowners. We may be diverse but we are all neighbors and sometimes neighbors need help. We identify and fund programs for seniors (isolation, respite, transportation, food insecurity), families with special needs, military-connected families, and step up when challenges arise
Preservation & Enhancement: Coronado is more than just a town. It has a rich history preserved by our Historical Association and the memories of our long-time residents. Preserving and enhancing our community will take many forms, from funding and supporting community events to major campaigns to preserve institutions like our village movie theater.
Arts & Culture: Coronado has such a vibrant arts and culture scene. Our arts organizations not only enrich our lives but are a significant contributor to our economy. Although some funds are granted to these organizations by the City, they fall far short of meeting the needs. This fund will ensure that our arts community thrives.
INITIATIVES
NEIGHBORS IN NEED:SERVING CORONADO SENIORS
The Coronado Community Foundation launched their Neighbors in Need initiative in response to a growing demand in the community. According to the 2023 Census, nearly 24% of Coronado’s population is over the age of 65—and in 2019, more than 1,300 seniors were living alone. Many in the community are also caring for a loved one and could use extra support. CCF is here to help connect neighbors in need with meaningful services such as free transpiration.
In November 2025, CCF launched their senior transportation program, with their first ride provided to a Coronado senior by a local volunteer driver.
CCF is continuing to expand services to support Coronado seniors with short-term relief for caregivers, grocery and prescription delivery, and opportunities for social connection. By partnering with trusted local nonprofits, CCF provides the funding and oversight needed to bring these vital services to life.
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ARTS & CULTURE GRANTS
In the fall of 2025, the Coronado Community Foundation proudly awarded more than $42,000 in Arts & Culture grants to support the creative spirit of our community.
Distributed to 7 Coronado nonprofit organizations, these grants supported local music, performing arts, arts education, and beloved cultural events-helping bring Coronado’s vibrant arts scene to life. With strong community support and a shared commitment to the arts, the CCF Board of Directors unanimously approved funding for the following 7 nonprofits:
CORONADO NONPROFIT LEADERS ROUNDTABLE
From the very beginning, the Coronado Community Foundation has believed in the power of partnership.
In March 2025, CCF held the first Coronado Nonprofit Leader Roundtable, with invitations extended to Executive Directors, CEOs, and Board Presidents of local nonprofit organizations. This gathering marked the beginning of a collaborative effort to bring nonprofit leaders together around a unified vision to strengthen a thriving Coronado community.
Held quarterly, the Roundtable brings that vision to life by providing a dedicated space for leaders to exchange ideas, share insights, refine their skills, and engage in meaningful discussions that supports the Coronado community.
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DONOR APPRECIATION EVENTS
The Coronado Community Foundation’s initiatives would not be possible without the incredible generosity of its donors. The Foundation is deeply grateful for their continued support and strives to keep them meaningfully connected to its work. As a small token of appreciation, donors are invited to attend local community events—celebrating the impact they make while supporting the organizations and programs that strengthen Coronado.
Recent donor appreciation events included:
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VIP tickets to the Coronado Art & Wine Festival
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Invitations to the Mon Valentin Concert presented by the Coronado Philharmonia Orchestra
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Fall Gathering at the Kupka home, where guests received updates on the Coronado Community Foundation’s work and a look at what lies ahead
"Since our founding, the Coronado Community Foundation has been making waves of positive change-some quiet, some grand—all thanks to generous neighbors like you.”
- Michelle Gilmore, CEO
2025 SPRING ROUND OF GRANTS
The Coronado Community Foundation awarded a round of grants to support nonprofit-hosted events that benefit the Coronado community and align with CCF’s 2025 priority areas:
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Community Health and Wellness
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Community Preservation and Enhancement
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Arts and Culture
These events include Concert in the Park with FOCUS, the Health & Wellness Fair with Safe Harbor Coronado, the Preservation Symposium with CHA, Double Served with the Coronado Junior Woman’s Club, and the Coronado Art & Wine Festival with CSF.
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CORONADO ART & WINE FESTIVAL
Since its inception, the Coronado Community Foundation has underwritten the student art auction at the Coronado Art & Wine Festival, a signature event in Coronado
In celebration of the arts community and local artists, the Coronado Art & Wine Festival has become a signature event in Coronado. Each year since its inception, the Coronado Community Foundation has underwritten the student art auction at the festival in support of our young artists. Student art is sold and the revenue goes to the Coronado Schools Foundation to support their K-12 fine arts and performing arts programs.
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EXCEPTIONAL FAMILIES PROGRAM
The Coronado Community Foundation is working in partnership with Camp Able, Coronado Public Library, and other local agencies to provide no-cost enrichment activities for family members with special needs while at the same time supplying respite opportunities for caregivers.
Since its launch in April 2024, the Exceptional Families Program has been able to serve over 75 families with year-round activities. The monthly events included Earth Day in the Coronado Cays, family picnic day at the Rady Shell, and a meet-up at the Coronado Promenade Concerts. The goal of the program is to develop a supportive community environment and create a sense of belonging for all Coronado residents. The impact of this program reflects CCF’s mission—building philanthropy, building community.
ALL NEW AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE CORONADO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The Coronado Community Foundation forged a cross-sector collaboration with stakeholders and empowered them to work together toward a complete upgrade at the largest and most widely used theatrical venue in the city, the 570-seat main stage theater at Coronado School of the Arts.
Working with an initial grant from the City of Coronado, the Coronado Community Foundation, Coronado School of the Arts, Coronado Island Film Festival and Coronado Schools Foundation applied for multiple County of San Diego Community Development Block Grants to amass the $400,000 needed to replace all the lights, speakers, projector and screen.
This type of partnership is central to the purpose of the Coronado Community Foundation as a convener, connector, collaborator.
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LET'S CONNECT GRANTS
The Coronado Community Foundation awarded 21 “Let’s Connect” grants to Coronado nonprofit organizations.
The Coronado Community Foundation proudly partners with and supports local nonprofits. Our first step was to listen. We learned so much in our conversations with key staff and board members of Coronado nonprofits. We asked about their goals, their aspirations and their current and long-term needs.
Camp Able | Coronado Art Association | Coronado Community Band | Coronado Floral Association | Coronado Historical Association | Coronado Island Film Festival | Coronado Playhouse | Coronado School of the Arts Foundation | Coronado Schools Foundation | Emerald Keepers | FOCUS | Friends of Coronado Public Library | Lambs Players | Mainstreet Coronado | Musica Vitale | Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society | Navy Seals Foundation | PAWS | Safe Harbor | Sharp Coronado Hospital Foundation | United Through Reading