CLOCKWISE FROM TOP : ASHLEY BARKER PHOTO ; J . CHRISTOPHER LAUNI / COURTESY OF CRYSTAL COVE CONSERVANCY ; FRANK SALAS PHOTOGRAPHY
Landau , holds adoption events at Laguna Beach Animal Shelter and Gelson ’ s Market . Catmosphere also maintains a fund to offer spay and neuter procedures , testing and emergency treatments for homeless or abandoned cats . ( catmospherelaguna . com )
CHHAHARI INC . USA Laguna Beach resident Christine Casey started Chhahari Inc . USA in 2007 after she took a trekking trip to Nepal and witnessed sick and hungry children begging in Kathmandu ’ s streets . Collaborating with a nongovernmental organization in Nepal , they helped children to receive a quality education and health care . The Nepal organization closed during the pandemic , but a new organization , Chhahari Education & Opportunities , is now funded by the U . S . nonprofit . ( chhahari . org )
COAST FILM FOUNDATION Launched last year in connection with the Coast Film & Music Festival , the Coast Film Foundation fosters and promotes an appreciation for film as well as purpose-driven filmmaking that uses storytelling to spur positive change . The foundation is also dedicated to encouraging the next generation of filmmakers via networking opportunities , grants and scholarships . ( coastfilmfestival . com )
COMMUNITY ART PROJECT Designed to spread the word about art appreciation and education , Community Art Project , or CAP , applies donations toward art exhibits , public art pieces and educational programs sponsored by the group . Although its permanent gallery at Wells Fargo has closed , recent showcases have taken place at Neighborhood Congregational Church , City Hall , the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center and Laguna Beach Community & Susi Q Senior Center . ( caplaguna . org )
CRYSTAL COVE CONSERVANCY Established in 1999 by Laura Davick — who was a third-generation Crystal Cove resident — to preserve Crystal Cove State Park ’ s historic district when developers wanted to turn it into a luxury resort , Crystal Cove Conservancy has worked tirelessly since then to protect this natural space , restore the century-old cottages ( which are rented for overnight stays to help provide funding ) and bring schoolchildren to the park for science-based field trips . ( crystalcove . org )
DRAKE GIVES , THE When The Drake restaurant opened in town , it was clear that the focus was on the live entertainment just as much as the luxurious cuisine — founder Alec Glasser , ever passionate about music , made sure of that . Glasser also launched The Drake Gives , a nonprofit that partners with the Save the Music Foundation to provide youth with music education in light of budget cuts that have affected the arts in schools across the country . ( thedrakelaguna . com / the-drake-gives )
FOA FOUNDATION Seeded with a $ 1.5 million donation from Festival of Arts , the FOA Foundation was established in 1989 and oversees this endowment that provides grants to local arts nonprofits and educational institutions , giving approximately $ 100,000 per year . Originally , the foundation also awarded scholarships to graduating high school students living in Laguna Beach or attending Laguna Beach High School . In 2007 , the festival took over funding the scholarships . ( foafoundation . net )
Top : Coast Film & Music Festival is connected with Coast Film Foundation . Bottom , from left : The Drake Gives ’ event ; Crystal Cove Conservancy works to preserve Crystal Cove State Park ( pictured ).
FRIENDS OF HORTENSE MILLER GARDEN Situated on a picturesque slope in north Laguna , feminist and environmentalist Hortense Miller started the eponymous garden of her dreams in the 1950s , donating it to the city of Laguna Beach in 1973 . This group was created a few years later to oversee the property , where public and private tours — as well as special events like art workshops and exhibits — are held . ( hortensemillergarden . org )
FRIENDS OF LAGUNA BEACH DOG PARK Dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the Laguna Beach Dog Park , which is owned and operated by the city of Laguna Beach , this nonprofit also focuses on promoting responsible dog ownership and works with the city to make improvements , which have included elements like benches and picnic tables , water fountains , trees for shade and the addition of a small dog area . Meetings and events are also held periodically . ( lagunabeachdogpark . com )
FRIENDS OF THE LAGUNA BEACH LIBRARY For more than 50 years , this group has helped make the local library — part of the Orange County library system — what it is by allocating funds for everything from reading programs , college scholarships and magazine subscriptions to scheduling speakers , supplies for craft days and improvements to the library . This institution is also a point on the town ’ s Poetry Trail and hosts its own poetry contest in the spring . ( friendsofthelagunabeachlibrary . org )
FRIENDSHIP SHELTER Through its emergency shelter , permanent housing programs , meals and other services , Friendship Shelter aims to end homelessness in south Orange County . Founded in 1988 , the organization started as an all-volunteer effort at St .
Mary ’ s Episcopal Church and has grown over the years . Friendship Shelter operates the city ’ s Alternative Sleeping Location on Laguna Canyon Road in addition to other housing programs . ( friendshipshelter . org )
GLENNWOOD HOUSING FOUNDATION Offering housing and supported living services for adults with developmental and / or intellectual disabilities since 2013 , Glennwood Housing Foundation also provides on-site and off-site activity opportunities based on residents ’ interests , from visiting the summer art festivals to volunteering in the community . It also offers experiences at the apartment building for residents to learn new skills and develop social connections . ( glennwoodhouse . org )
GROWERS FIRST This organization helps poor farming families in the world ’ s remote regions through training in agriculture , economics and more to increase crop yield and improve growing practices , including crop diversification , organic approaches and water conservation methods . Growers First also offers micro-loans for seedlings and supplies , life skills training , support for local schools and vehicles to transport crops and reach schools or medical centers . ( growersfirst . org )
HONARKAR FOUNDATION FOR ARTS & CULTURE , THE Started by prominent Laguna resident Mohammad Honarkar with his daughters Nikki and Hasty in 2019 , this cultural arts nonprofit aims to enhance and inspire creativity in the local community .
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 39