Reg Huston, a professional musician and philanthropist, founded the S.T.A.R. (Support Theatre Arts Regionally) Foundation in 2008 to benefit local nonprofits.
He partnered with the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) in 2010 to create the S.T.A.R. Foundation Stewardship Fund to make the greatest impact. Since then, the fund granted approximately $1.2 million to support performing arts nonprofits and schools, and provided scholarships in the amount of approximately $200,000 to 74 graduating high school students.
After nearly 15 years of giving, Huston and the S.T.A.R. Foundation board felt it was time to dissolve the foundation in 2022. They made the decision to grant most of the remaining funds – $500,000 – to a single organization: Sol Treasures in King City.
“The investment in Sol Treasures will impact hundreds of kids,” explains Reg. “We became very interested in King City and what’s going on down there – we went down to see their shows, listen to the stories. They’ve done a great job. They offer outreach programs to learn instruments, be in plays, and encourage kids to learn about themselves,” he continued. “We hope this grant will inspire further giving.”
“When we announced the gift at a Sol Treasures event, it inspired a standing ovation, and tears. It was so meaningful,” said Erica Horn, a professional clarinetist and S.T.A.R. Foundation board chair.
“S.T.A.R Foundation’s extraordinarily generous and humbling grant is a validation of all that we do,” said Jeff Hinderscheid, Executive Director, Sol Treasures.
The S.T.A.R. Foundation board also created the Reg Huston/S.T.A.R. Scholarship for the Performing Arts, an endowed scholarship fund at the CFMC, to maintain its legacy of supporting performing arts participation.
“We had a strong desire for people to continue participating in the performing arts into adulthood and to learn that it’s not over,” explained Erica.
Concluded Reg, “You’re better adults if you’re in the performing arts as a youth: you become understanding, empathetic, and creative, and you work better with people. We hope that the scholarships fund will continue to grow to benefit as many students as possible.”
Read more at cfmco.org/STAR.
About the Community Foundation for Monterey County
The mission of the CFMC is to inspire philanthropy and be a catalyst for strengthening communities throughout Monterey County. Thanks to generous community members who have created charitable funds in their lifetimes or through their estates, the CFMC granted $36 million in 2021 to nonprofits working towards healthy, safe, vibrant communities and has granted more than $260 million since 1981. For more information visit www.cfmco.org or call 831.375.9712.
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