May 12, 2016 – San Diego, CA – 4S Ranch-Del Sur Community Foundation (4SCF), an affiliate of The San Diego Foundation, awarded a record $32,948 in funding to four nonprofit organizations at its 9th Annual Grants Celebration on May 6.

This year, 4SCF focused on projects that will establish voluntary participation and education of citizens in the 4S Ranch-Del Sur community with an emphasis on civic engagement, science and technology. The programs funded include: 4S Ranch – Robotics with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego ($6,000); Studio39 program with The Design39C Collaborative ($8,500); Citizen Science: Wildlife Monitoring program with the Zoological Society of San Diego ($8,570); and S.T.E.M. Lab Expansion with Stone Ranch Elementary School ($9,878).

“Since 2008, 4SCF has granted more than $209,000 to 42 projects to inspire a culture of giving that strengthens and enriches the quality of life in 4S Ranch and Del Sur,” shared Deanne Hormovitis, Grants Committee Chair for 4SCF. “Through these grants, we are building a better community in 4SRanch and Del Sur to support current and future generations. The many grantee success stories, such as the 2015 I Love a Clean San Diego program, are a testament to this mission and our annual efforts.”

Previously, I Love A Clean San Diego County, Inc. (ILACSD) received a $6,500 grant to conduct a large-scale cleanup and beautification event in a section of the Black Mountain Open Space adjacent to 4SRanch. The area has long been a dumping ground for large debris, and the recent wildfires in the area have exposed thousands of pounds of debris that was once hidden from view by trees and shrubs. Funding from 4SCF allowed ILACSD to greatly expand its environmental programming into the 4S Ranch and Del Sur neighborhoods.

“ILACSD hosts community cleanup and beautification projects throughout San Diego County and is always seeking opportunities to grow these events into inland communities, as approximately 80 percent of marine litter originates inland and travels to the coast,” explained Lexi Ambrogi, ILACSD Director of Development.  “Through this grant, ILACSD engaged with over 400 4S Ranch and Del Sur community members to help enhance the natural open spaces in their own backyard.”

4SCF is dedicated to improving the quality of life and meeting emerging needs in 4SRanch and Del Sur by increasing responsible and effective philanthropy; building a community endowment for the benefit of the region; providing funds annually to community organizations and causes, and giving the community a vehicle for legacy planning and gifts that will benefit 4SRanch-Del Sur now and forever.

To become a member, contact Estela Mitrani at (619) 847-7100, or e-mail estelam@sdfoundation.org.

About the 2016 Grantees:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego
4S Ranch – Robotics
The $6,000 grant will build a S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) program at the 4S Boys and Girls Club targeting 50 youths ages 8-14, and drawing on successful implementations that have occurred at six other Boys & Girls Club locations. The Robotics program will provide members at the 4S Ranch Branch an opportunity to explore, discover and learn about robotics in a fun, hands-on environment. Funding will go toward purchasing Lego Mindstorm kits, computers and supplies.

The Design39C Collaborative
Studio39 @ Design39
The $8,500 grant will help create Studio39, an initiative that supports the buildout of audio and video production capabilities on campuses. Studio39 will offer local students the opportunity to identify, research and produce news segments on current issues facing students, the D39C community, and the greater 4S Ranch and Del Sur communities. Funding will help purchase sound equipment, video production equipment and a laptop.

Zoological Society of San Diego
Citizen Science: Wildlife Monitoring
The $8,570 grant will educate 350 4S Ranch and Del Sur middle schoolers on citizen science, bringing S.T.E.M. to wildlife research and exploration. This multi-part program includes review of data coming directly from wildlife researchers in Africa and Asia, and field trips to Elfin Forest to perform similar data collection and analysis of local wildlife.  Funding will support the classroom instruction, field trips, transportation, activities and supplies.

Stone Ranch Elementary School
S.T.E.M. Lab Expansion
The $9,878 grant will expand on S.T.E.M. education already underway at Stone Ranch Elementary. Participation has already reached across all grade levels from transitional kindergarten through grade 5, and this grant will impact over 800 students. Funding will go toward purchasing Chromebooks, Lego Classroom kits focused on wind power, force and motion, and fund consumables for classroom projects.

About the 4S Ranch-Del Sur Community Foundation & the Regional Affiliate Program

The Regional Affiliate program, including the 4S Ranch-Del Sur Community Foundation, was established by The San Diego Foundation to create a regional network of affiliate foundations by leveraging local leadership, building endowments, increasing impactful philanthropy, and promoting civic engagement. Affiliates reside in Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Escondido, La Jolla, Oceanside, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, San Ysidro, and 4S Ranch-Del Sur. The Regional Affiliate program has exceeded 700 members, established endowments of more than $3.6 million overall, and granted more than $3.9 million in total to nonprofit organizations throughout the region. Become a member to build vibrant neighborhoods and mobilize resources for your community.

About The San Diego Foundation

The San Diego Foundation promotes and increases effective and responsible charitable giving to grow a more vibrant region. The Foundation manages more than $652 million in assets, more than half of which reside in permanent endowment funds that extend the impact of today’s gifts to future generations. Since 1975, The Foundation has granted more than $977 million to the nonprofit community. For more information, visit our website and consider a donation to the Fund for the Future Endowment which supports San Diego now and forever.

Contacts

Vince Heald, Beck Ellman Heald, 858-453-9600, vheald@behmedia.com
Justin Nunez, The San Diego Foundation, 619-235-2300, justin@sdfoundation.org