Oceanside Community Foundation Awards $90K In Grants To Local Nonprofits

OCEANSIDE, CA — Oceanside Community Foundation, a regional affiliate of San Diego Foundation, awarded $90,000 in grants to five local nonprofits that prepare young people for independence by developing life and employment skills.

The grants were announced June 5 during the organization's annual Grant Awards Celebration at the Veterans Association of North County in Oceanside.

"From our active duty and veteran military to future art makers and coders, these five programs will support those ages 16 to 25 in our community who are currently struggling," said Marva Bledsoe, the foundation's grants chair. "We are proud to have delivered over $1 million in much-needed funding over the last 16 years to Oceanside, the community we love."

The 2025-26 grantees include:

• Miracosta College Foundation: $25,000 to enhance paid internship access for disproportionately impacted students, including diverse ethnic communities, veterans, and those with disabilities or low socioeconomic statuses.
• Oceanside Theatre Company: $15,000 to provide young people with hands-on experience in performing arts and arts administration, fostering essential skills for future careers and helping students build resumes and develop creativity, adaptability, and practical skills for careers in the arts and nonprofit sectors.
• Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) Inc.: $20,000 to support its Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) program that addresses urgent financial crises but also aims to restore hope and empower Oceanside's young armed forces, veterans and their families to thrive.
• The Coding School: $15,000 to prepare students for future careers while fostering contributions to technology and society.
• Vets – Beyond the Uniform: $15,000 to empower Oceanside young military community members, including active-duty members and veterans, by equipping them with essential life and employment skills through workshops, individualized coaching, and practical tools focused on career readiness, professional skills, and life-skills training.