MY MUSEUM Year Founded: 1995 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 14 paid, 45 volunteers Budget: $588,600 (831) 649-6444 mymuseum.org BIG IDEA: MY Museum has a Big Idea for its little visitors: new exhibits to nurture the next generation. MY Museum, or the Monterey County Youth Museum, has a goal to update 30 percent of its current exhibits. These refreshed exhibits, designed for ages 8 and younger, will focus on ideas like problem solving, creativity, emotional intelligence and resilience to meet the needs of today’s kids and nurture the next generation of innovators and creative thinkers. “As a homeschooling, neurodivergent ohana of many, there’s nothing quite like finding an affordable one-stop shop where everyone can have fun. Whether you’re looking for quality family time, a place to let the kids burn off energy, or somewhere to simply relax while they explore, this has been a great fit for us. It’s big enough for independent play, yet small enough to comfortably keep an eye on multiple little ones. Overall, we’ve really enjoyed our visits. Have fun, stay aware and maybe grab a membership. We did, and honestly got our money’s worth within the first few visits.” -Anonymous mom O’NEILL SEA ODYSSEY Year Founded: 1996 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 4 paid, 34 volunteers Budget: $1,194,956 (831) 475-1561 oneillseaodyssey.org BIG IDEA: For 30 years, O’Neill Sea Odyssey has welcomed fourth- to sixth-graders onto its 65-foot catamaran for an unforgettable outdoor classroom adventure. Aboard the vessel, these students explore marine biology, ecology and navigation through realworld, student-led science projects. The nonprofit reaches all corners of Monterey County, prioritizing groups from King City, Marina, Greenfield, Elkhorn and Prunedale. Each year, these Big Idea immersive field trips with O’Neill Sea Odyssey introduce Monterey County kids to the ocean for the first time. “O’Neill Sea Odyssey is an educational adventure that my students love and will always carry with them. After the field trip, I’ve noticed a real change in my students’ love for the ocean and their understanding of how to protect it.” -Fifth-grade teacher OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLLI) Year Founded: 2007 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2 paid, 39 volunteers Budget: $302,000 (831) 582-5500 csumb.edu/olli BIG IDEA: After nearly 20 years nurturing adult curiosity, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is now applying what it has learned from its own community. Today’s OLLI members are looking for hands-on, interactive experiences and OLLI’s Big Idea will help this happen. This organization desires to evolve past its traditional daytime classes model and expand educational collaborations with local arts and nature organizations. Donations will help create more ways for older adults to learn from the people and places that make our region special. “OLLI is extremely important because it allows 102 Monterey County GIVES! 2026 mcgives.com EDUCATION & YOUTH DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM “Chartwell didn’t just teach them to read better, it taught them that being dyslexic doesn’t mean being less.” -Lower School parent, Chartwell School SPECIAL KIDS CONNECT Year Founded: 2007 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 14 paid, 50 volunteers Budget: $1,290,000 (831) 372-2730 specialkidsconnect.org BIG IDEA: Monterey County Gives! donors helped launch the Junior Warriors REACH Basketball program in Soledad and REACH Move & Music in Salinas. These programs join a wide array of REACH Ability-Inclusive Enrichment programs offered by Special Kids Connect. REACH programs deliver the Big Idea that kids of all abilities deserve to learn new skills, make new friends and go at their own pace in a supportive environment. Today, REACH extends to programs like bowling, dance, golf and art. “Special Kids Connect’s REACH programs are safe havens for youth with special needs. As our children grow up and as their neurotypical peers move on to new friendships, activities and greater independence, our own children are left without a place where they truly belong. REACH programs fill that gap by creating welcoming, age-appropriate communities where our children are accepted, included and celebrated. Our son, Josiah, looks forward to every REACH activity. As a parent, there is no greater gift than knowing our son has a community where he belongs.” -Alicia Flores SPOTLIGHT
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