The San Diego Museum of Art, Museum of Photographic Arts and San Diego Museum of Man will be the recipients of funds raised by Patrons of the Prado at its 2008 10th anniversary fundraising gala. The selection announcement was made by Patrons' president Kathleen Buoymaster.

Each year the organization chooses three of 11 museums and programs located in Balboa Park to receive the proceeds of its fundraising efforts. Museums are selected on a rotating basis designed to fairly distribute those funds. With this year's selections and projected proceeds of the July 12th, 2008 event, each museum will have received over $100,000.00 from the Patrons' group.

Originally conceived over dinner and cocktails by a few women who wanted to find a way to support their beloved Balboa Park, the organization has grown to over 100 members. Each member is dedicated to preserving and strengthening what they believe to be the "Crown Jewel" of San Diego.

At its first gala, held in 1997, the organization raised just over $24,000.00, or $8,000.00 per museum. Last year's event yielded nearly $300,000.00, and each beneficiary received $94,000.00. "With each passing year we've been able to increase our contributions due to the hard work and dedication of our outstanding members", noted Ms. Buoymaster. "It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to lead such great organization."