Modernism Week isn’t just a chance to see the beautiful architecture of Palm Springs. For its organizers and partners, it’s also a chance to give back.
Driving the news: Modernism Week officials said recently that the event’s partner organizations raised $1.8 million for community organizations and scholarships during the recent festivals in February and October.
- That money includes matching funds from One Future Coachella Valley, an organization that supports Modernism Week scholarship recipients in navigating the college experience to assure the students will succeed in college, career, and life, ultimately expanding and enhancing the local workforce.
Student support: Modernism Week was also able to award $5,000 scholarships to seven local students who will be studying architecture and design in college. Congratulations go out to:
- Irving Valdes Moreno of Mecca, studying architecture and design at Cal Baptist University.
- Stephanie Perez Ocaranza of Thousand Palms, studying architecture and design at California State Polytechnic University.
- Gardenia Gernandez of Indio, studying graphic design at California State Polytechnic University.
- Valentina Rodriguez Salinas of Thermal, studying environmental science at University of California Los Angeles.
- Jorjele Quintero Meraz of Thermal, studying environmental science at Cal Baptist University.
- Karen Meza Morales of Thousand Palms, studying architecture design at California State Polytechnic University.
- Amparo Nedina of Cathedral City, studying civil and environmental engineering at California State Polytechnic University.
Bigger picture: Local neighborhood organizations alone raised more than $580,000 from tours.
- Most of that money will be spent by the neighborhood organizations to reinvest in architectural restoration, infrastructure, or landscape improvements.
- “Seeing how excited people were to tour our community really drove home the importance of preservation to the city and to our property owners. It increased the pride of ownership for us all and reinforced that it is hugely important to be a part of Modernism Week,” said Jeremy Hunt, one of the tour organizers for Chalet Palms.
Giving back: $1.3 million raised will go back into local partner organizations like the Palm Springs Historical Society, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs Modern Committee, Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, the Palm Springs Cultural Center, and the Palm Springs Public Library.
- “We are delighted that our neighborhood and partner organizations use their fundraising for preservation, education, civic improvements or to reinvest back into the local community. The tours and events produced by partner organizations not only provide them with the ability to raise funds but also allow them to showcase their neighborhoods and organizations to national and international visitors.” — William Kopelk, Modernism Week board chairman.
