enjoy the show. Ensemble Monterey is made of local chamber orchestra musicians who choose underperformed and unusual works and often feature original compositions by local artists. By removing financial barriers to these performances, all are welcome to these unique concerts performed by their talented neighbors. “The collaboration and enthusiasm of the musicians was evident. There is so much depth of knowledge in the musicians and the choice of music reflected this, expanding horizons of the audience by offering music not familiar to them and also exhibiting the excellent skills of the musicians. Each program included unique combinations of pieces showcasing instruments and musicians with a range of styles and diverse choices. It created excitement for the audience while providing gorgeous, well-played compositions.” -Georgia Hughes FIRST NIGHT MONTEREY Year Founded: 1993 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 4 paid, 57 volunteers Budget: $260,000 (831) 373-4778 firstnightmonterey.org BIG IDEA: First Night Monterey has become a beloved New Year’s Eve tradition of music, dancing and fun for locals and visitors to downtown Monterey. This year, First Night’s Big Idea takes the celebration on the road and transforms the event into a year-round collaboration. Throughout the year, First Night will develop opportunities for thousands of Monterey County residents to contribute art inspired by kindness. Community murals, handprints, neighborhood workshops, school projects— donations will fuel these ideas and more. “Even though many years have passed and the city has undergone many evolutions, the few anchors that stabilize the sense of community are vitally important. First Night Monterey has demonstrated over 30 years that it is indeed one of the primary anchors. I am proud to support an organization that continues to make Monterey and the entire county a more vibrant and connected place to live.” -Michael Clark, board president FRIENDS OF THE MARINA LIBRARY Year Founded: 1990 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 130 volunteers Budget: $201,651 (831) 682-8016 friendsofthemarinalibrary.org BIG IDEA: The Marina branch of Monterey County Free Libraries serves as a hub for culture and inspiration in Marina. The Friends of the Marina Library helps make these Big Ideas, from read-alouds to science and art workshops, happen. Highlighting local talent is the theme of this year’s campaign, as this group has a goal to sustain its bustling calendar of musicians, storytellers and instructors in its community room. Donations will purchase supplies needed for programs, from books by local authors to supplies for art lessons or meditation sessions. “I’ve enjoyed organizing concerts at the Marina library. In June, about 100 people of all ages sang Beatles songs for two straight hours. We were led by musicians and Beatles experts Dan Frechette, Jeff Ebbage, Paul Logan and Brian Stanley. The talent of the professional musicians was undeniable, and the singing crowd sounded great as well. We had a young boy in the back dancing the entire time! This get-together was exactly what the Friends of the Marina Library envisions for the community room. We want to keep the music playing.” -Roberta Clatterbuck 36 Monterey County GIVES! 2026 mcgives.com ARTS & CULTURE DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM HIJOS DEL SOL Year Founded: 2015 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 11 paid, 25 volunteers Budget: $651,270 (831) 200-3915 hijosdelsol.org BIG IDEA: While technology is often blamed for its harmful influence on kids, Hijos del Sol sees opportunities for creative inspiration instead. Hijos del Sol offers free, culturally grounded arts education to kids and families. Its Big Idea weaves tech-forward tools like projection mapping, robotics, coding and fabrication into its existing Open Arts Studio, where youth ages 4 and older learn and create with professional instruction, unlimited supplies and healthy snacks, all at no cost. “We as a family are grateful to Hijos del Sol for giving us the opportunity to open their doors to us so that my son can learn and have his freedom of expression. They have become family, a second home where he feels protected and loved. I am grateful to the work team for everything they have done for the children and all the people who come to the studio, where there is an atmosphere of harmony and creativity, where we can be transported to another world and leave behind the chaos of daily life. It is there that we become children again, full of creativity.” -Andrea SPOTLIGHT “It has continued to mold me to be a better musician.” -Athena-Janan Ouzineb, Monterey Jazz Festival
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