Daniel Wilson

Join us Thursday, May 6 at 5:30pm!

The Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation (RBCF) Board and I invite you to join us via Zoom to view the brand new RBCF Video featuring residents including Mike Stelman, Nancy Canfield, Dave Brooks, myself and others.

There is also an opportunity to participate in a wine-and-cheese tasting. Pickup is between 11am and 1pm May 6 at the office of Robinson and Wilson, 11665 Avena Place (next to Pearl). Be our guest! This is optional. If you are unable to pick up the wine and cheese, volunteers will deliver in Rancho Bernardo.

RSVP to Lauren Hough at lhough@sdfoundation.org by Monday, May 3. The event will last 30 minutes.

To help the Rancho Bernardo community fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, RBCF just granted an additional $20,000 to Feeding San Diego to support organizations and schools serving Rancho Bernardo and $5,000 to Poway Unified School District (PUSD) for Chromebooks and hotspots for students still working remotely.

Grant recipients will be at the May 6 event to thank you!

These grants are in addition to the $10,000 COVID-19 grants in April 2020 and $12,000 from your generosity at Thanksgiving.

RBCF has opened the 2021/2022 grant cycle. RBCF will accept proposals for grants between $1,500 and $10,000 that demonstrate the power to build a more vibrant and civically engaged community. Projects must clearly address Rancho Bernardo-specific issues and needs and must clearly address the impact on Rancho Bernardo residents.

Access the grant application here.

Proposals must be submitted online no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 5pm.

Mark your Calendars!

Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation Thanksgiving Luncheon 2018

The 2021 RBCF Thanksgiving Luncheon will be Friday, November 19, 2021!

Nothing is possible without your generous memberships and donations. Please know how grateful we are of your continued support.

Daniel Wilson, Chair
Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation

Member Spotlight: Michael Ortiz

The Ortiz Family

Making a positive impact in the community is something that Michael Ortiz is extremely passionate about.

He has been a resident of San Diego since 1998. And whether it’s been during his time at San Diego State University, being a part of local nonprofits or in his current role with RBCF, Michael has continued to look for opportunities to create and leave a legacy that will outlast him.

Michael has been intentional in serving the Rancho Bernardo community and is also a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo.

His personal legacy starts with his wife, Heidi. Throughout their 11 years of marriage, they’ve been blessed with three children: Isabella, Aubrey and Jackson. Michael and Heidi strive to instill that community and helping mindset in their home.

Professionally, Michael applies his own legacy planning approach to his clients as a financial planner at Edward Jones. Serving others is an aspect that is embedded in Michael, and he feels honored to do so. He is thankful for the opportunity from RBCF to continue to make an impact on those around him. He looks forward to our community’s very bright future.

Nonprofit Spotlight: Poway OnStage

The Arts in Education Initiative is designed to broaden children’s knowledge of the performing arts.

With the generous support of RBCF and its members, Poway OnStage was able to provide access to their “Arts in Education” programming at no charge to a total of 4,711 students, including 532 who attend school in the Rancho Bernardo community.

The funding helped Poway OnStage cover the costs of art supplies, peer‐to‐peer learning and interactive assemblies, and theater camp and performances. Through access to these programs, Poway OnStage gives children a platform for developing their artistic and creative abilities, as well as their critical thinking, teamwork and social skills through the worlds of theater, dance and music – all leading to healthy behaviors and interactions.

“RBCF’s support added to the credibility of our work and encouraged others to support us,” said Poway OnStage President and CEO Michael Rennie. “The arts offer skill‐building opportunities that increase students’ academic achievement, the ability to work as a team, and enhance social skills.”

“The long‐term benefit is that students become more engaged and participatory throughout their school careers, which helps them grow up to become productive members of our community,” he added.

Poway OnStage thanks RBCF and its members for our generous support and hopes to continue their work in the Rancho Bernardo community for years to come.