Since 1997, Patrons of the Prado (POP) has been dedicated to supporting the arts, cultural, historical and scientific institutions in Balboa Park, empowering their nine beneficiaries to further their missions, introduce innovative programming, and quickly pivot to meet community needs. In 2012, the mission was expanded to include life-changing educational experiences for San Diego County K-12 school children through our Bucks4Buses initiative (B4B).
The 100 members of POP support the organization’s two-pronged mission: raising funds for the 9 beneficiaries with greatest need grants and to provide educational access to Balboa Park’s world-class treasures for students, igniting curiosity and nurturing cultural fluency for future generations. The beneficiaries include: The Fleet Science Center, Mingei International Museum, San Diego History Center, San Diego Junior Theater, San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Natural History Museum, The Old Globe, Museum of Us, and The Timken Museum of Art.
The POP Program Bucks4Buses has funded 407,150 schoolchildren to experience the cultural riches of Balboa Park. To date, POP has raised over $6.2 million. Through B4B funding, POP provides transportation for field trips enabling schoolchildren to visit Balboa Park, to experience hands-on science, historical archives and live theatre, often for the very first time.
Post-pandemic, POP provided funding for nearly 50,000 children to the park annually at a cost of $2.46 per child. “You do not aspire to be something you have never seen,” shared POP President Dr. Jacqueline Denysiak. That is why they focus on underserved populations; 89.5% of the children who benefitted from B4B this past year came from Title 1 schools, ensuring that the treasures of Balboa Park remain accessible to all.
The 2024-2025 fiscal year has been designated as the “Year of Greatest Impact.” POP hosted several inaugural events to raise funds for B4B: the Fashion4Futures Fashion Show by designer Lena Trotsko, the Giving Back Tuesday Telethon hosted by POP President Dr. Jacqueline Denysiak, and Gallery Gives Back at the renowned Arjang’s Treasure House of Fine Art in La Jolla.
These three events have already raised more than $21,135 for Bucks4Buses, enabling an additional 7,926 children to experience life-changing opportunities and transform tomorrow!
By joining POP’s efforts, supporters are making a direct and lasting impact on the beneficiaries and on the lives of students in our community. Help POP succeed during their Year of Greatest Impact! Support Patrons of the Prado’s 4th Annual Miriam Summ Fashion Show on April 11th at Bloomingdales and by attending our Annual Prado Benefit “MASTERPIECE: Elegance of the Elements” on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at the San Diego Natural History Museum.
Tickets and more information are available online at www.patronsoftheprado.org..