Community Corner

Holiday Gifts From the Heart: Poway Nonprofits Worth Supporting

Looking for a unique gift? Try a philanthropic one.

If you’re looking for a gift that truly stands out, try giving the gift of grace by donating hours or cash to a local nonprofit in the name of the 2011 holiday season. 

Patch scoured the city to find nonprofits listed in Poway. Your job is to choose the cause that likely means most to your gift recipient and go from there. 

Break a Leg

Find out what's happening in Powaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The world’s a stage and your loved one is the star. Your loved one also happens to be a big fan of the arts. Check out the season for the or and give him or her tickets. If it’s likely that he or she already has tickets to a particular play, you can even just donate some dollars or commit hours that will surely be put to use on his or her behalf.

Visit their websites for more:

Find out what's happening in Powaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Sweet Sound of Music

Does your beloved appreciate music most? Prove your dedication by supporting the harmonic youth. The Music Boosters is looking for financial backing to support the Poway High School Instrumental Music Program, or you can consider an early holiday gift by taking him or her to one of three scheduled concerts in December. The same goes for the RB Chorale—consider taking your beloved to a December concert or donate to the nonprofit’s scholarship program, which for 36 years has been awarding about $10,000 in scholarships to musically gifted students in the region.

Visit their websites for more:

The Leaders of Tomorrow

There are plenty of nonprofits in Poway geared toward the little people in the city (literally, plenty—literally, little people, too). The has a vast number of programs worth supporting. Even better, the nonprofit offers scholarships each year to the budding youth of San Diego County. Or, consider donating to the Foundation—a nonprofit that strives to support financially all K-12 programs in the district. Each school also has a foundation or PTA that is in constant need of donors and sponsors. Find a list of Poway schools in Patch’s directory.

Visit their websites for more:

Strengthening the 51 Percent

Women make up 51 percent of the world’s population and many groups are working to ensure they receive equal opportunities. Even better, studies show when women are empowered, others—like their families—directly benefit. If this is important to someone special in your life, consider supporting Women’s Empowerment International or Operation for HOPE Foundation. WE provides entrepreneurial women with microcredit loans while HOPE raises awareness about domestic violence and provides loans to help victims and their children out of abusive relationships. 

Visit their websites for more:

For the Love of God

Does religion play an integral part in your loved one’s life? If so, consider contributing to his or her church. You can find a list of Poway churches in the Patch directory. Or consider helping to preserve a landmark in Poway— is seeking donations to help give its building a makeover. Check out for more.

Servicing the Service Clubs

The amount of service clubs in Poway may be proof that the “P” in Poway stands for philanthropy. If your gift recipient is a member of one of the local service clubs, consider joining the group in their honor or volunteering time to his or her next fundraiser. Or, ask if you could cover their dues for the quarter.

Visit their websites for more:


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here