August 27, 2024 — 4:48 PM

Bill Gillies, the CEO and founder of Big Country Organic Brewing, a certified organic brewery of seltzers and beer, donated $1 million to the Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund Longevity Fund, according to a news release. Bill’s generous donation was made to honor his late mother, Gayle Gilles-Mize, who founded the RSF Women’s Fund in 2004. The donation aims to ensure that the organization’s impact on the North County community endures for generations.

RSF Women’s Fund members and their guests gathered on May 13 at Steak 48 to celebrate 20 years of giving. Gayle’s children, Nancy Van Dyke, Bill Gillies, and Ginger Wood joined the celebration. At the end of the evening, Bill announced his $1 million donation to the RSF Women’s Fund in honor of his mother, ensuring her legacy for another 20 years. “My mother taught us at an early age that by empowering others, our impact is multiplied and sustainable said Bill in the news release. “I am so impressed with the thorough research and vetting these accomplished women do through their exhaustive grant process, which gives me confidence that my funds are being sourced to well-managed and effective programs.”

Gayle Gillies-Mize was an active community member who dedicated her time to various committees and volunteer work as she and her family settled into Rancho Santa Fe. She made history by becoming the first woman to join the Rotary Club, initiating the Backyard Swim program, and establishing the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. In 2004, as president of the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation Board, Gayle had the foresight to create a granting organization funded by women. This group combined their time and money to educate themselves about philanthropy, giving them a stronger voice and a more significant impact on the surrounding community. Together with Emily Bagnell, Libby Frank, and Christy Wilson, Gayle founded the Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund, the news release stated.

Candise Holmlund, one of the first members of the Women’s Fund and a former president of the organization, remembers Gillies-Mize this way: “Though there were several women involved in the founding of the Women’s Fund, Gayle was always its driving force. Her quiet demeanor and Southern charm belied a fierce tenacity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who were in need. She saw the Women’s Fund as the vehicle that could make that assistance happen, all while forming bonds of friendship among women within the community. Her example to the rest of us is why the Women’s Fund has become one of San Diego County’s foremost philanthropic organizations. With this generous donation, Bill has ensured Gayle’s vision and legacy will continue to live on through the Rancho, Santa Fe Women’s Fund.”

RSF Women’s Fund has experienced remarkable growth in membership and community investment. In the first year, 80 women generously granted $100,000 to four San Diego-based charitable organizations. Now, 20 years later, with 146 members, they awarded a record-breaking $500,000 at its May 7, 2024 awards meeting to 11 local non-profits. Over the years, the RSFWF has reviewed 426 proposal applications, conducted 263 site visits, participated in 230 finalist presentations, and invested over $5.7 million in 165 projects serving the community and significantly impacting lives.

The RSF Women’s Fund acted as a donor-advised fund of the RSF Foundation for the first 20 years. Due to the immense growth in membership, activities, and grants, the 2023-2024 board worked to acquire a separate 501 © 3 status. “Bill Gillies’s generous gift was synergetic to our efforts to establish our new structure and lay a strong foundation,” said Nikki Carmody Ream, RSF Women’s Fund president and board chair, in the news release. “His donation to our longevity fund will ensure that many more generations of Rancho Santa Fe Women will build purpose-driven friendships while significantly impacting the community.”

More than just a grant provider, the Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund is a platform that empowers women to connect, network, engage in service projects, and stay informed about crucial community and philanthropic issues.

The 2024-2025 grant season kicks off on Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. with a cocktail meeting in a private RSF home. Dr. Athena Philis-Tsmikas, corporate VP of Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute, will talk on “The “Skinny” on Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs, and the latest developments in diabetic research, and Jenna Novotney, chief development officer at Mama’s Kitchen will provide an update on the impact of RSF Women’s Fund’s grant on their operations. To explore the RSF Women’s Fund or to join its kick-off event, visit www.rsfwomensfund.org.