OUR STORY
2008
La Jolla Community Foundation (LJCF) established as an affiliate of the San Diego Foundation (SDF) to inspire pooled philanthropy and private investment to improve infrastructure and enhance public spaces in the community. Founders: Murray Galinson, George Hauer, Andy Nelson, and Phyllis Pfeiffer.
2010
Murals of La Jolla was established to enrich the civic character of the community by commissioning public art projects throughout La Jolla. Under the guidance of Hugh Davies, then director of MCASD, a committee of art professionals was convened to advance the mission. LJCF raised nearly a million dollars to bring this visionary project to life. Presently administered by the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, Murals of La Jolla is a distinguishing feature of the community and has made it an art destination.
2013-2017
Community Grants Program awarded $113,000 to local organizations for arts, science, and beautification of La Jolla projects from 2013 to 2017. Grantees included the La Jolla Playhouse, MCASD, La Jolla Parks & Beaches, UC San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla YMCA, La Jolla Branch Public Library, among others.
2014-2019
In 2014 LJCF initiated and funded the formation of a Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) for La Jolla and Enhance La Jolla, a 501c3 organization to manage the MAD. This effort took five years and $300,000 to accomplish. MAD and Enhance La Jolla begin operations in October 2019 to enhance the community, including landscape maintenance, street and sidewalk cleaning, litter and graffiti abatement, and additional trash collection.
2018-present
Village Streetscape Plan initiated as a collaborative rehabilitation project designed to improve walkability and the pedestrian experience in the Village. In 2018, the LJCF granted $75,000 to M. W. Steele Group to develop the Streetscape Plan. Mark Steele, president, assembled a design team to collaborate and generate ideas, which included architects Jennifer Luce, Jim Alcorn, and Paul Buss, and landscape architects Todd Fry and Jennifer Phelps. In 2019, Philanthropist Una Davis launched the Village Streetscape Capital Improvement Project fundraising efforts with a lead gift of $1,000,000.
2022
LJCF reorganized as an independent public charity 501c3 organization. The design stage for the Village Streetscape Plan was completed. A donor recognition wall was installed at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library to honor Lead Supporters.
2023
LJCF Membership grows and major gifts are received in support of the Streetscape Plan; $1 million grant from the State of California awarded; Fundraising efforts continue for Phase One, which will bring corner parks, upgraded landscaping with tree canopies and enhanced lighting to Girard Avenue.
The La Jolla Community Foundation (LJCF) was established in 2008 as an affiliate of the San Diego Foundation (SDF), to inspire pooled philanthropy and private investment. The goal was to improve infrastructure and enhance public spaces in the community. Murray Galinson, Andy Nelson, George Hauer and Phyllis Pfeiffer founded the organization and early board members included Scott Peters, Matt Peterson, Buzz Wooley, Matt Brower, Sherry Ahern and Julie Dubick.
Once formed, the LJCF found that the City of San Diego does not allow private individuals or organizations to do work in the public-right-of-way. The board decided to focus early efforts on public art, in the hopes of inspiring others to make improvements to our community. Hugh Davies, then director of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, created a committee of art professionals to select artists. The committee suggested large-scale murals by nationally
and internationally renowned artists utilizing billboard art to be placed on blank walls on privately owned buildings throughout La Jolla. The LJCF raised close to a million dollars for the Murals of La Jolla project.
At the same time, LJCF followed the SDF affiliate model of making small grants to La Jolla community organizations. Membership grew to about 150 members, who were involved in the decision-making process of selecting grantees. The LJCF also replaced weeds with paving stones in the “teardrop” at the base of La Jolla Parkway and gave a grant to the Urban Corps to remove trash along La Jolla Parkway.
While the Murals of La Jolla project was wildly successful and still going strong, the LJCF gifted the program to the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in order to focus on establishing a Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) for
the Village of La Jolla. The LJCF initiated, orchestrated and funded the formation of the MAD and Enhance La Jolla, the 501(c)(3) organization that manages the MAD. This effort took more than five years and $300,000 to accomplish.
In 2022, the La Jolla Community Foundation was reorganized as an independent 501(c)(3). Memberships, donations and grants are now made directly to the LJCF. For endowment gifts and donations of securities and real property, the LJCF continues to partner with the San Diego Foundation.
LJCF’s current project, the Village Streetscape Plan, is a collaborative rehabilitation project designed to improve the pedestrian experience in the Village. The LJCF received a lead gift of $1 million towards a goal for $6.5 million for phase one, which will bring corner parks, upgraded landscaping with tree canopies and enhanced lighting to Girard Avenue.
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GIVE
LJCF raises funds for infrastructure projects to enhance our community. The La Jolla Community Foundation (LJCF) comprises community leaders and philanthropists like you, who have chosen to make a difference in La Jolla. Your membership is critical to allowing us to continue making a positive impact on La Jolla.
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JOIN US
Join La Jolla Community Foundation’s efforts to make a positive impact in La Jolla. Make a lasting difference by joining our membership or donating in support of capital improvement projects. The entire amount of your contribution is tax deductible.
