RANCHO BERNARDO, CA – June 20, 2006 - A little help is on the way for people and organizations in North County Inland communities that will encourage neighborliness, social capital. The San Diego Foundation announced today a new Neighborhood Grants Program to be implemented by The Foundation’s North County Inland Civic Alliance. The program will support resident-initiated programs designed to enhance and stimulate interest in improving the quality of life in local neighborhoods.
“By supporting grassroots programs, we believe the outcome will be communities characterized by an appreciation for diversity, openness to creative thinking and effective problem solving. It sounds grand, but it is really a very simple concept, and that’s why we believe it will work,” states North County Inland Civic Alliance chair and San Diego Foundation Board Member, Jack Raymond.
Eligible for the grants are neighborhood groups like homeowners and tenant associations, groups encouraging volunteerism, residents interested in forming a neighborhood association or group and groups that include youth in leadership positions and promote youth involvement. The grants will be provided by The San Diego Foundation and allocated by the North County Inland Civic Alliance. The program plans to give $10,000 in grants, awarding up to $1,000 to each recipient, to be awarded in October 2006.
Bob Kelly, president and CEO of The San Diego Foundation shared, “One of the lessons we gleaned from our October 2003 wildfire relief efforts is that communities that have a strong fabric of neighborly cooperation and connection do better, not only in the wake of a disaster, but also with providing quality of life for residents in good times and bad. Some people call this ‘social capital,’ and it is very valuable to a community.”
Groups interested in applying must serve the following communities: Escondido, Vista, San Marcos, Rancho Bernardo, Poway, Julian, Fallbrook, Borrego Springs, Rancho Penasquitos, Valley Center, Ramona, Bonsall, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Santa Ysabel and Warner Springs and must submit a short application. Groups interested in applying for grants can call The San Diego Foundation North County Inland office at 858-385-1595 for more information.
ABOUT THE NORTH COUNTY INLAND CIVIC ALLIANCE
In an effort to serve communities region-wide, The San Diego Foundation (TSDF) established the North County Inland Civic Alliance and the North County Coastal Civic Alliance. These are the first of several planned Civic Alliances that will eventually serve each geographic sector of the county. The communities represented in and served by the North County Inland Civic Alliance are Escondido, Vista, San Marcos, Rancho Bernardo, Poway, Julian, Fallbrook, Borrego Springs, Rancho Penasquitos, Valley Center, Ramona, Bonsall, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Sant Ysabel and Warner Springs. TSDF has found that, with San Diego’s rapid growth and resulting traffic congestion, it has become critical to maintain a presence in each community in order to understand the needs and key issues unique to each community’s residents. Increasing its on-the-ground awareness of the issues through the region is a priority of The San Diego Foundation. To address this, TSDF hired regional managers, engaged community leaders through regional Civic Alliances, scheduled group presentations, met with key government and civic leaders and hosted events in various communities throughout the region. The North County Inland Civic Alliance is integral to The San Diego Foundation’s effort to serve communities region-wide.
TSDF is currently looking for additional members for the Inland Civic Alliance. Individuals interested in serving can call 858-385-1595.
ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION
Founded in 1975, The San Diego Foundation is a broad-purpose community foundation helping individuals, families and organizations carry out their charitable plans, with the common goal of improving the quality of life in the greater San Diego region, now and for generations to come. The Foundation manages $500 million in assets, almost half of which reside in permanent endowment funds. Since its inception, The Foundation has granted more than $400 million to nonprofits serving the community. For more information about The San Diego Foundation, visit www.sdfoundation.org or call (619) 235-2300.
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