Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation News – January

(Above) Past Board Chair Jeff Shea (top, left) poses with RBCF grantees at RBCF’s Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.

President Debbie Kurth is one of several new leaders in 2016 at RBCF.

We begin a new year with a new president, Debbie Kurth. Debbie was recently honored as the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation (RBCF) Volunteer of the Year at the North County Philanthropy Council luncheon in November. Congratulations, Debbie!

We also welcomed two new board members: Mary Karscig, longtime resident, community volunteer and former owner of Architectural Systems; and Bonnie Ann Dowd, longtime resident and the Executive Vice Chancellor of Business & Technology Services for the ‎San Diego Community College District.

We look forward to their leadership!

We also said goodbye to two dedicated board members, past President, Brian McLean, and former Grants Chair Kevin Martin, as they reached the nine-year mark of board service, which requires a board member to step off the board for a minimum of one year. Thank you to each of you for the hours of dedication and service to the community of Rancho Bernardo through RBCF, and for your continued commitment as a member.

If you would like to join the Grants committee to help vet the 2016 grant proposals, please contact Trudy Armstrong at Trudy@sdfoundation.org.

Looking Back

In November of 2015, The Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation distributed $70,578 in combined grants to 22 organizations during our 26th annual Rancho Bernardo Thanksgiving Luncheon.

There was a combined $59,600 in community impact grants presented to 13 organizations. Receiving $7,500 were the Continuing Education Center at Rancho Bernardo for equipment and marketing, Highland Ranch Educational Foundation so it can purchase laptops for a learning system at Highland Ranch Elementary, and Turtleback Education Foundation to purchase equipment for new learning programs at Turtleback Elementary.

Rancho Bernardo High School Healthy Connections received $5,200 to expand the campus’ Programs Office. Those receiving $5,000 were the Burn Institute for educational materials and fire safety endeavors and the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra to provide free music lessons in the community.

RBCF awarded the Burn Institute a $5,000 grant in 2015 for educational materials and fire safety endeavors.

ElderHelp was given $4,500 to expand its services, the Rancho Bernardo High School Speech and Debate Team was given $4,400 to go towards professional coaching assistance, and Write Out Loud received $4,000 for its storybox theater program.

Receiving $3,000 grants were the Rancho Bernardo High School Silver Spur to update equipment used at the student newspaper and RB United (4Community Solutions) to develop an archery program. Rancho Bernardo High School PTSA Grad Nite received $2,000 for support and expansion of its activities during the annual celebration and Silver Age Yoga received $1,000 to provide free senior yoga classes.

An additional $10,978 in grants was presented through three other grant programs.

Five Community Partner grants were given to organizations that have a long relationship with the annual grants program. Receiving $1,500 each were the Friends of the Rancho Bernardo Library and the Rancho Bernardo High School PTSA. The Continuing Education Center at Rancho Bernardo received $1,478 to replace audio-visual equipment. Receiving $1,000 each was the Rancho Bernardo Fire Safe Council for its preparedness efforts and the Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial Association for maintenance and improvements to the Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial in Webb Park.

Through the Kathryn Staab Fund, $1,500 was presented to Rancho Bernardo Senior Services and $1,000 was given to the Ed Brown Senior Center for its weekly arthritis class.

The Symphony on the Green Fund also provided two grants. Receiving $1,000 each were the Friends of the Rancho Bernardo Library for its free chamber concerts series and Spirit of the Fourth for its patriotic community concert.

Learn More

With such an important year ahead, now is the time to help your friends and neighbors learn more about the fantastic work being done by RBCF members. Contact Trudy Armstrong at Trudy@sdfoundation.org for assistance in helping your friends join.

Learn More