OCTOBER 17, 2024 — 3:30 PM

The Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund (RSFWF) gathered for the 2024-2025 Grant Season Kick-off Meeting Sept. 18 at a private RSF home. Dr. Athena Philis-Tsimikas, corporate vice president of Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute, spoke on the latest developments in diabetic research and prevention. In addition, Jenna Novotny, chief development officer at Mama’s Kitchen, provided an update on the impact of the RSFWF 2023 grant funds in providing much-needed nutrition for medically-challenged individuals and their families, according to a news release.

The Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund is a group of women who come together to positively impact the San Diego community by pooling their resources. RSFWF members serve on the grant committees, which review the 124 letters of intent to fund children and youth, as well as women’s services programs in North County and the greater San Diego area. The total ask from local nonprofits is over $6 million. After this first round of vetting is complete, Grant Co-Chairs Sara Bennet and Maritia Walper will invite the chosen organizations to submit full program proposals, and organizational and financial documents for review to qualify for site visits by RSFWF membership. Since the Women’s Fund’s inception, the Grant Committees have reviewed over 824 projects for funding.

“Our Grant Cycle is the cornerstone of the Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund. There is nothing stronger than a group of women who come together for a common purpose. For us, it’s the desire to learn, make meaningful friendships, and leave our community better than we found it,” said Bennett in the news release. “Maritia and I couldn’t be more honored to serve as this year’s grant chairs and are excited for the impact this cycle will have on our local community and beyond.”

The RSFWF has donated over $5.7 million to fund 165 projects focusing on North County and greater San Diego, the news release stated. In addition, the Women’s Fund offers opportunities for women to build friendships through philanthropy. Members attend events, network with other women, volunteer, and learn about important community issues at their meetings.

The Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund invites interested community members to join. The following General Membership meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 11:30 a.m. at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club. The featured speaker will be Bob Simonds, an American film producer, entrepreneur, and the founder and chairman of STX Entertainment, which is involved in creating, producing, distributing, financing, and marketing films (as STXfilms), television (as STXtelevision), digital media (as STXdigital), live events, and virtual reality (as STXsurreal). He will be speaking about the ins and outs of movie production. For more information about becoming a member and attending this event, visit www.rsfwomensfund.org or email admin@rsfwomensfund.org.