The Balboa Theatre Foundation was organized in 1986 to advocate for the preservation and restoration of the 1924 Balboa Theatre at 868 Fourth Avenue in downtown San Diego.

+++

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide the resources to enhance and nurture the historic Balboa Theatre as a cultural center for San Diego arts and education.

+++

ACHIEVEMENTS/BENCHMARKS

• Received IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 1987
• Succeeded in placing the Balboa Theatre on the National Register of Historic Places, 1996
• The Balboa Theatre Foundation is the only private organization to date to provide funds  for the Balboa Theatre, through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre City Development Corporation.
• Twenty years of advocacy resulted in the  City of San Diego's decision to restore the Theatre with CCDC funds, 2003

+++

INITIAL PROJECT

To purchase, restore &   install a Wonder Morton Organ in the Balboa Theatre to complete an historically accurate restoration. Of the original $1.1 million campaign, over $800,000 has been raised to date.  The Foundation has coordinated the Organ project with the restorer, CCDC and San Diego Theatres, Inc. which operates the Theatre. The installation phase of this project was completed in September 2009.

+++

FUTURE PROJECTS:

To provide unique theatre organ concerts for community enjoyment; as a member of the Balboa Theatre Performing Arts Fund, to assist in providing a venue for  nonprofit San Diego performing arts groups; and to assist in providing music education as well as theatre opportunities to students.