2nd Roundtable hosted by Friends of the Library -

Nonprofit leaders gathered on June 10th for a quarterly roundtable in the Winn Room at the Coronado Library.

Pictured left to right (back row): Ashley Degree, Coronado Schools Foundation; Christine Stokes, Coronado Historical Association; Dave Bean, Optimist Club of Coronado; Bo Blumenthal, Optimist Club of Coronado; Michelle Gilmore, Coronado Community Foundation; Shannon Pavell, Coronado Hospital Foundation; Helen Kupka, Coronado Community Foundation; Inge Cornejo, Coronado MainStreet; Tod Little, Discover Coronado; Danielle Maske, Safe Harbor Coronado; Rena Clancy, Coronado Chamber of Commerce; Sheryl Rosander, Coronado Maritime FoundationPictured left to right (front row) Pat Starke, Rotary Club of Coronado; Kali Lindsay, Emerald Keepers; Allen Osmialowski, Coronado MainStreet Foundation; Crystal Bettenhausen, Strength in Service; Greta Rains, Strength in Service; Gregory Curtin, PAWS of Coronado; Jackie Williams, PAWS of Coronado; Carl Luna, Friends of the Coronado Public Library.

Photo credit: Bill Sandke Photography

On June 10th, the Friends of the Coronado Library proudly partnered with the Coronado

Community Foundation (CCF) to host the second Nonprofit Roundtable—a vibrant gathering of

leaders from 26 local organizations. Born out of CCF’s mission to strengthen collaboration and

capacity across Coronado’s nonprofit community, this quarterly event offers a space for

executive directors, board presidents, and changemakers to connect, learn, and

grow—together.

This meeting's focus? Building membership, expanding donor bases, and deepening community

engagement. Pat Starke of the Rotary Club reminded attendees that growth starts with

people—by inviting younger voices into leadership and creating meetings that are not just

effective but fun. Rena Clancy from the Coronado Chamber of Commerce shared how social

networking events are bringing in triple the attendance of traditional workshops—and how

rethinking format and venue can spark new energy. Ashley DeGree from Coronado Schools

Foundation emphasized the power of personal outreach to volunteers, especially new and

young families, and how thoughtful follow-up helps keep them coming back. Danielle Maske of

Safe Harbor and Kali Lindsay from Emerald Keepers shared a smart solution to capacity

challenges: a thriving intern program with Coronado High School, coordinated by counselor

Kristen Ereno, that provides students with real-world experience while lightening the load for staff.

Helen Kupka, CCF’s Founder and Board President, offered helpful insight into the revised 2025

City of Coronado grant process. With nearly $1 million in funds to be awarded, this year’s

streamlined system renews most past grants while opening mini-grants to new applicants.

Recipients were announced June 17 at City Hall.

The power of partnership was another theme of the day, from a multi-organization Volunteer

Open House hosted by Coronado MainStreet and the Arts Commission, for the community-wide

food drive championed by Rotary, and the much-anticipated Salute to Military Concert co-

hosted by the Chamber and Coronado Promenade Concerts on August 3.

Looking ahead, future Roundtables will dive into topics like integrating AI into nonprofit

operations, crafting savvy social media strategies for 2026, and hosting hands-on grant writing

and storytelling workshops.

See full article in the Coronado Eagle & Journal - Click here