Patrons of the Prado: Championing Culture and Education in Balboa Park
Committed to supporting San Diego’s iconic Balboa Park cultural partners, Patrons of the Pradois more than just a fundraising organization—it’s a passionate group of women dedicated to preserving arts, science, history, and culture while opening doors to educational access for San Diego’s youth. Since its founding in 1997, this all-volunteer nonprofit has played a vital role in supporting nine of the Park’s most beloved institutions, including The Fleet Science Center, San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego History Center, The Old Globe, San Diego Junior Theater, San Diego Museum of Art, Mingei International Museum, The Timken Museum, and The Museum of Us.
Through its Greatest Needs Grants and Bucks4Buses Grants, Patrons of the Prado have raised over $6.2 million to benefit the San Diego community. The Greatest Needs Grants give recipient institutions the flexibility to innovate, respond to challenges, and deliver dynamic programming. Beneficiaries acknowledge these grants as crucial to their success, empowering them to grow and adapt to evolving community needs.
Inspiring cultural fluency among future generations is at the heart of the organization’s mission. Its Bucks4Buses educational initiative, launched in 2012, funds transportation and field trip experiences for San Diego County K–12 students—over 89.5 percent of whom attend Title I schools—to explore museums, enjoy live theatre, learn about historical archives and access hands-on science exhibits in Balboa Park. To date, 407,150 students have benefited from this transformative program, many stepping into these cultural spaces for the first time.
In an era of tightening budgets and uncertain public arts funding, Patrons of the Prado remains a steadfast supporter of educational access and cultural vitality. Through meaningful grants and immersive student programs, the organization ensures Balboa Park’s institutions not only endure but continue to inspire.
The organization’s annual signature fundraising event, Masterpiece: Elegance of the Elements, is on August 9, 2025, at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Led by Chair Dr. Barbara Denysiak and Co-Chairs Dr. Jacqueline Denysiak, Marla Marshall, Dr. Julie Cowan Novak, and Lena Trotsko, this whirlwind evening celebrates the four elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air.
Masterpiece2025 proudly honors the John and Carole Sachs Family with the prestigious ICON Award for Arts and Culture, recognizing their extraordinary commitment to enriching San Diego’s cultural landscape.
Guests will enjoy themed cocktails, a gourmet dinner by the incomparable Chef Jeffrey Strauss of The Pamplemousse Grille, after-dinner dancing and live entertainment by The Mighty Untouchables performing some of Earth, Wind & Fire’s top hits, a heartwarming Bucks4Buses Program, and will have the opportunity to bid on thoughtfully curated live and silent auction items. Ascend to the rooftop of The NATfor a nightcap experience offering breathtaking views of San Diego under the stars.
Learn more at www.patronsoftheprado.org. To purchase tickets to Masterpiece: Elegance of the Elements, please visit: one.bidpal.net/masterpiece2025.
Category: Art, Donations, Events, Finance, Local News, Nonprofit, Volunteers, Women
