Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation Awards $70,200 at 27th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon

November 28, 2016 – Rancho Bernardo, CA – The Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation (RBCF), an affiliate of The San Diego Foundation, recently awarded $70,200 to Rancho Bernardo nonprofits and schools at the 27^th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon at The Rancho Bernardo Inn.

This year, RBCF focused grantmaking on programs that enhance civic engagement in the community of Rancho Bernardo. The grant programs support a variety of social impact areas, including senior services, youth development, recreation, arts, education, civic enhancement and community protection.

“The annual Thanksgiving Luncheon is an opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate the excellent programs and services offered by our nonprofit partners,” explained RBCF Board Chair Debbie Kurth. “Funding these organizations directly improves the lives of those who live, work and play in Rancho Bernardo.”

In 2015, ElderHelp of San Diego received a $4,500 grant from RBCF to expand the HomeShare component of its Concierge Club program in Rancho Bernardo. One of ElderHelp’s core programs, HomeShare is an innovative and synergetic service that creates opportunities for seniors to age in place, while also unlocking affordable housing options for all low-income San Diegans.

“ElderHelp is grateful for the grant funding from the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation and The San Diego Foundation,” shared Anya Delacruz, Associate Executive Director for ElderHelp of San Diego. “This support, and the outstanding reputation of its donor community, adds credibility to our organization and undoubtedly assists us in leveraging additional funding.”

At the event, RBCF invited community members to join them to make a difference in Rancho Bernardo by becoming Partners in Philanthropy with a minimum yearly contribution of $500. Among other benefits, Partners are able to vote on annual grants, attend member-only events, participate on the Grants Committee, and receive preferred seating at signature RBCF events, such as the Pathway of Pride, Hats Off to Volunteers and the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.

To become a member, visit the website or contact Trudy Armstrong at (619) 814-1312 or e-mail trudy@sdfoundation.org.

List of 2016 Grantees:

• $7,500 to Highland Ranch Educational Foundation to replace old classroom technology used by students
• $6,000 to Youth Philharmonic Orchestra to support operational expenses and programming in Rancho Bernardo
• $5,000 to Chaparral Elementary School to support the school’s outdoor education initiatives and Native and Edible Garden project
• $5,000 to Include Autism to support the expansion of the community-based Social Behavior Therapy Program for Youth with Autism to Rancho Bernardo and Poway
• $5,000 to Southern California Youth Ballet to expand programs and community outreach initiatives to Rancho Bernardo residents
• $4,200 to Write Out Loud to support 30 youth and senior programs in Rancho Bernardo
• $4,000 to ElderHelp of San Diego to support the HomeShare and Seniors A Go Go projects
• $4,000 to Rancho Bernardo Senior Services Center to support operational expenses
• $3,500 to Rancho Bernardo High School to support the Silver Spur student newspaper
• $3,500 to Rancho Bernardo High School Parent Teacher Student Association to support Grad Nite and resurfacing of campus tennis courts
• $3,000 to Rancho Bernardo Historical Society to support a website upgrade
• $3,000 to The Continuing Education Center at Rancho Bernardo to support advertising to targeted communities
• $2,500 to Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation to support the Arts in Education Initiative that serves K-12 students in Rancho Bernardo
• $2,500 to Turtleback Education Foundation to support the installation of a digital marquee to increase community engagement
• $1,500 to Burn Institute to support fire safety programming and the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in senior homes in Rancho Bernardo
• $1,500 to Rancho Bernardo High School Friends of the Library to support operational expenses
• $1,500 to Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial Association Fund to support maintenance and upkeep of the veterans memorial at Webb Park
• $1,000 to 4Community Solutions to support the Rancho Bernardo Neighborhood Watch technology upgrade initiative
• $1,000 to 4Community Solutions to support 10 home safety workshops hosted by the RB Fire Safe Council
• $1,000 to 4Community Solutions to provide scholarship opportunities for Rancho Bernardo girls who want to take part in Girls Golf programming
• $1,000 to Ed Brown Senior Center at Rancho Bernardo to support a handicap fitness program for older adults
• $1,000 to Friends of the Rancho Bernardo Library to support 10 chamber music concerts hosted by the library
• $1,000 to Spirit of the Fourth, Inc. to support the Community Fair Entertainment Program
• $500 to 4Community Solutions to support RB United’s Community Preparedness & Recovery Project
• $500 to 4Community Solutions to support the Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame annual recognition event 

About the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation & the Regional Affiliate Program

The Regional Affiliate program, including the Rancho Bernardo 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 $4 million overall, and granted more than $4.4 million in total to nonprofit organizations throughout the region.

About The San Diego Foundation

The San Diego Foundation maximizes the impact of charitable giving to enact positive social change in our region. We mobilize resources to advance quality of life, increase social impact and champion civic engagement though effective, responsible and innovative philanthropy. We are your community foundation committed to arts & culture, civil society, education, environment, health and human services, and youth development to build equity and opportunity for all San Diegans. For more than 40 years, The Foundation and our donors have granted more than $1 billion to grow a vibrant San Diego region. 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