The Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund kicked off its 2025-26 grant season with a member/guest event on Sept. 18 at the historic Lilian Rice home of Linda Hahn. Members and their guests enjoyed champagne, wine and light bites hosted by RSF Women’s Fund members Ann Brizolis and Jennifer Janzen, real estate partners at Pacific Sotheby’s.

Guest speaker Dr. Dimitri Deheyn, a marine biology researcher from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, delivered a riveting talk about “Microplastics in the Environment.” Deheyn explained the environmental challenges posed by microplastics entering organisms and the food web, according to a news release. He emphasized the need for educational outreach and provided some common-sense approaches. Deheyn also described his work in various global citizen science efforts. His passion for educating the next generation was apparent, the news release stated.

Last May, the Women’s Fund awarded over $518,000 to 12 local organizations as part of its 2024-25 Grant Cycle. This year, the Women’s Fund has its work cut out for itself, with over 150 submissions totaling more than $7 million in funding requests, according to the news release.

For the 2025-26 Grant Cycle, the Women’s Fund has accepted grant applications in the fields of Health Services and Social Services. Submissions for Health Services include requests for funding mental health, disability, diagnostic and preventative care, and rehabilitation and recovery services as well as health services specific to women and children.

Social Services applications include requests for support in education and learning assistance, homelessness prevention and housing support, food insecurity and nutrition assistance, disability support, elderly, children, youth and family services, financial empowerment, and environment and sustainability initiatives.

The Grant Working Groups, led by Sara Bennett and Maritia Walper, began working the week of Sept. 22 to evaluate the submissions.

This year the RSF Women’s Fund has garnered an up to $1 million match from Bill Gillies of Big Country Organic Brewing, for all donations that members make above and beyond their minimum required contribution as well as all public or corporate donations to the Charitable fund. Gillies recognizes the important work the RSF Women’s Fund is doing in North County and greater San Diego and is challenging the community to support the RSF Women’s Fund’s efforts, the news release stated.

If you are interested in membership in the Women’s Fund or donating funds that will be doubled in impact, visit its website at rsfwomensfund.org or contact admin@rsfwomensfund.org.