Thanks to sizable donation, local nonprofit more than meets fundraising goal

The Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area recently raised more than $300,000 toward its operating budget, about three times more than the nonprofit’s original goal.

A large portion of the Costa Mesa-based group’s annual It Just Takes One campaign came from Newport Beach philanthropist David Pyle, who donated $140,000. Pyle is the founder and CEO of American Career College.

“It has been my personal mission to support community organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area because of the important services they provide to our youth,” Pyle said in a prepared statement. “In fact, my own children were members at the Newport club, so I know first-hand how their programs make a positive impact.”

The original goal was $110,000, said Nicole DeLoach, the club’s director of development. The fundraising campaign ended March 21.

The money will go toward various activities, including after-school programs, computer training courses, career exploration, arts and crafts, fitness classes and sports.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area serves 3,700 youth annually in Costa Mesa, Irvine and Newport Beach.

— Bradley Zint

Twitter: @bradleyzint