The Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation awards more than $53,000 in grants to community organizations at the 24th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon

The Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation (RBCF), an affiliate of The San Diego Foundation, awarded $53,875 to RB nonprofits and schools at the 24th Annual Rancho Bernardo Community Luncheon, attended by more than 350 community members. The focus of this year’s grants was “Safe and Healthy Community.” Details on the grants are included below.

“Thanks to the generosity of Rancho Bernardo residents, we were able to award a record amount of grants this year,” said Kevin Martin, chair of the foundation’s grants committee. “The Safe and Healthy Community grants will have an enormous impact on our community and its residents, from youth to senior citizens.”

This year, the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation is also pleased to introduce an opportunity for community members to become RB Partners in Philanthropy by joining the foundation with a minimum yearly contribution of $500. Among other benefits, Partners will receive the ability to vote on annual grants, invitations to two yearly Member Only events, the ability to participate on the Grants Committee, and preferred seating at signature RBCF events, such as the Pathway of Pride, Hats Off to Volunteers, and the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.

The annual Thanksgiving Luncheon is the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation's signature event and it raises money for the community's many nonprofits. Last year, the foundation granted more than $37,000. The luncheon is a must-attend event for many members of the RB community and in addition to individual tickets, there are a number of sponsorship opportunities for businesses and community groups, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

Grants

$250 granted to the Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame

$500 granted to the Rancho Bernardo Historical Society for equipment purchase

$1,000 granted to the Ed Brown Senior Center for Yoga Classes

$1,000 granted to the Friends of The Rancho Bernardo Library for a concert series

$1,000 granted to the Rancho Bernardo Neighborhood Watch        

$1,000 granted to the RB Veterans Memorial for maintenance and upkeep of the Veterans Memorial

$1,000 granted to the Rancho Bernardo High School Choral Music Program for the purchase of sheet music

$1,000 granted to the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP)

$1,000 granted to the Spirit of the Fourth for fireworks

$1,000 granted to the YPO Soloists Ensemble for the Community Outreach program

$1,500 granted to RB Senior Services for the Services to Seniors program

$2,000 granted to the Rancho Bernardo High School PTSA to support Senior Grad Nite

$2,125 granted to Westwood Elementary for Operation Westwood WITT

$4,000 granted to Vista Hill to support the On Track program

$5,000 granted to ElderHelp to support The Concierge Club

$5,000 granted to the Poway Therapeutic Riding Center to support the Therapeutic Riding Lesson program

$5,000 granted to the Rancho Bernardo High School Programs Office for the Healthy Connections program

$5,000 granted to the Turtleback Elementary Autism Classroom for a program called Technology Integration for Children with Autism

$7,500 granted to the Center for Community Solutions for the Healthy Relationship Education program

$8,000 granted to the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority for Lighting on the Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge