To our CVCF members and friends,
We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!
Our first mixer of the year will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, at Lime in the Coconut in downtown Chula Vista. Please RSVP and enjoy great food, cocktails, and connection with fellow members and friends. We hope to see you there!
Chula Vista Community Foundation received over 70 applications this grant cycle! Our grants committee has been busy reviewing these submissions to determine who will receive site visits and be finalists for our funding. We are excited to present the membership with a final ballot of education projects well-positioned to maximize impact in the coming months.
The number of applications speaks to the growing funding needs for organizations serving Chula Vista. And growing our membership is the path to increasing CVCF’s annual grantmaking capacity. We’d love to add 10-15 new members over the next six months, and we need your help. Please contact Michael Oliveri at moliveri@sdfoundation.org for tools and resources to help spread the word via phone, email, and social media. One conversation, message, or social media share can make all the difference and get us closer to our goal.
Thank you so much for your commitment to making an impact! We look forward to growing our membership to help meet the needs of Chula Vista, together.
With gratitude,
Lisa Johnson
CVCF Board Chair
New Member Spotlight: Bart Miesfeld, Esq.
After working as a trial attorney in a large private law firm, Bart Miesfeld joined the Chula Vista City Attorney’s Office and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually being appointed the City Attorney by the Chula Vista Council and Mayor. Bart spent 20 years working in the Chula Vista City Attorney’s office and has had a long career working to improve the quality of life for Chula Vista residents. Bart stepped away from the Chula Vista City Attorney’s office just before the COVID-19 pandemic due to personal family matters.
Outside of his work as an attorney, Bart is passionate about helping students achieve academic and professional success, which led him to become an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Diego.
“I spent over 20 years working for Chula Vista. I poured my heart and soul into my work for the City. I care deeply about the well-being and quality of life for all of its residents. CVCF has provided me with an immediate opportunity to continue to improve the lives of all those living in Chula Vista in a needed and impactful manner. I am looking forward to being part of a philanthropic community organization that has the mission to address not only current resident’s needs but is also using the power of endowments to continue its good work in perpetuity.”
Grantee Spotlight: Southwestern College Foundation
In 2022, CVCF was able to support 59 students at SWC who were in urgent need of financial assistance. The Cares program has placed 53 students into hotels; paid for 375 textbooks; provided 6,600 meals, over 4,000 gift cards for groceries, gas, and necessities, and 434 bus passes; loaned more than 800 devices like laptops and cell phones, and made 550 referrals for wellness and/or financial planning assistance. These students are often at a crossroads, deciding between dropping out to get additional income or staying in school and pursuing their academic goals. They have heard back from many beneficiaries who were so very grateful and remained in school because of this support.
“This grant aided in me coming closer to the goal of having enough for a security deposit on a space that I can consider my own. Despite financial challenges, I remain optimistic, hopeful, and determined to reach my goals. Having a place to reside that is safe and secure will only increase the positive attributes I strive to maintain. Thank you for granting me their emergency funds, they mean more than the words ‘thank you’ can truly express.” -Anonymous
