Funding is generated through the annual Art & Pumpkin Festival, which the Beautification Committee has operated since 1971. The grants are in addition to the estimated $400,000-plus raised by community groups at the festival.
Over the years, the committee has contributed more than $2.5 million to nonprofits and civic organizations.
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The largest single contribution of $25,000 went to the ongoing maintenance and beautification of the Main Street downtown core. Other organizations that received funding included:
Coastal Repertory Theatre, $11,000; San Mateo County Sheriff Explorers Program, $5,760; the I.D.E.S. Society, $5,000; Coastside RotaCare Clinic, $4,000; Coastal Arts League, $4,000; city of Half Moon Bay Police Department PAL Program, $3,000; Coastside Adult Day Health Center, $3,000; Senior Coastsiders, $3,000; Half Moon Bay High School Grad Night, $2,000; No Strings Attached Breakfast, $1,500; Sonrisas Community Dental Clinic, $1,500; Seton Medical Center, $1,500; Young Actors Workshop, $1,000 and the Boys and Girls Club of the Coastside, $1,000.
The grant totals were down roughly 12 percent from 2008, down 21 percent from 2004 having decreased steadily in recent years.
Festival coordinator Tim Beeman said that this is a reflection of falling net profits for the festival. He added that the cost of hosting the festival continues to rise and holding costs is a priority for organizers.
Additionally, $56,000 in college scholarship money will be awarded to Half Moon Bay High School students, in scholarships that are named in memory of founding festival members Dolores Mullin, Patsy Dutra and Melvin Mello.
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