The Poway Community Foundation unveiled a sign that describes its mission and community impact on May 12 near Old Poway Park.
Foundation board , Poway Chamber of Commerce representatives and private donors gathered around the sign at the corner of Midland Road and Temple Street for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Others in attendance included Poway City Councilmember Peter De Hoff, representatives of state Sen. Brian Jones and county Supervisor Joel Anderson’s office in addition to Poway Rodeo queens and ers.
Poway Community Foundation Co-Chair John Couvrette announced to the 50 attendees that the foundation organized in November 2023 has already raised $140,000.
The philanthropic group that raises funds for nonprofits in Poway under the umbrella of the San Diego Foundation awarded a combined $78,500 last December to a dozen nonprofits that serve Poway, Couvrette said. Each nonprofit received between $3,000 to $10,000.
Community Food Connection, Kiwanis Club of Poway and Poway in Valley Senior Citizens Corp. received $10,000; Ride Above Disability, which received $8,000; Valley Elementary School PTA and Poway Recovery Center received $7,500. Kitchen tABLE and Neighborhood Health Care received $5,000. Villa de Vida housing for disabled adults and Soroptimist International of Poway received $3,500; and Blissful Seeds and Helping Hands Ministry received $3,000.
“We’re so grateful for everything you’ve done for the community,” Couvrette said to the attendees. “Through a collaborative effort with the city of Poway, we’ve come up with a sign that tells what the foundation does.”
One side of the sign states the foundation’s mission: “Poway Community Foundation inspires enduring philanthropy and Poway pride to promote solutions that improve the quality of life in our community.”
The other half describes the foundation’s community impact, which includes empowering community solutions, ing children and families, and promoting arts and recreation. The sign also lists a variety of founding donors.
Foundation Co-Chair Ginger Couvrette said the foundation aims to continue fundraising to fund grants to more Poway nonprofits.
“It was a fantastic first year and we want to make sure we maintain the momentum,” Couvrette said in a statement. “We have found the nonprofits are amazing at stretching a dollar and we are eager to pool our sponsor funds to their herculean efforts.”
Corporate sponsorships the all-volunteer foundation, she said. The foundation’s two title sponsors are California Dreaming Pools and the Poway Rodeo.
John Couvrette also announced an foundation event “to replenish funds and continue the giving.” The Brews & Boots event is set for 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17 at Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road. Brews & Boots is for adults age 21 and up and includes train rides, live music, beer, wine and other beverages. Tickets range from $50 to $75 with barbecue food available for an additional $25.
“We are hoping this grows to be a Poway signature event, bringing the community together to raise money for Poway nonprofits,” Ginger Couvrette said.
For more information or to purchase Brews & Boots tickets, visit PowayCommunityFoundation.org.
