MAY 17, 2024 — 12:20 PM PST

The Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund held its annual 2024 Grant Presentation May 7 at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club. The organization awarded a record-breaking $500,000 to 11 San Diego County community organizations focusing on Social Services and Women’s Services, according to a news release. The grant recipients included the Interfaith Community Services Emergency Family Housing Program, which was awarded $75,000 to provide housing, meals, childcare, behavioral health assessments, and counseling for up to six months to 40 families.

San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program also received a grant of $75,000 for the North County Domestic Violence Project to provide free legal services to victims of domestic violence, helping them to obtain life-saving protective orders and remain safe from abuse.

The Grant chairs, Kathy Sage and Cathy Burch, led this year’s hard-working Grants committee in reviewing 106 letters of intent inquiries with requests totaling over $5.4 million. The committee then sent out 34 Request for Proposals to nominate the final 14 grantee candidates for a vote by the RSF Women’s Fund members. The following organizations were also funded: ElderHelp Services for Senior Women Program ($35,000), AMVETS’ Welcome Home Program ($30,000), Meals on Wheels Senior Delivery Program ($50,000), Project Next, a San Marcos High School post-secondary training program ($57,000), Home Start Domestic Violence Survivor program ($50,000), Just in Time Wellness services for foster youth ($50,000), Voices for Children, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program ($35,000), Elementary Institute of Science Girls Take Flight program ($25,000), and Center for Community Solutions advocacy services for survivors of intimate partner violence ($23,000).

Advisory Board President Nikki Carmody Ream stated in the news release, “The Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund is a testament to the power of collective giving. Our members have come together to invest half a million dollars in North County and the greater San Diego community to make it a better place for all. We are thrilled to have surpassed last year’s grant total by $53,000, a testament to the dedication and generosity of our members.”

The Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund is a force for positive change in the San Diego community, harnessing the power of collective giving. Since its establishment in 2004, the RSFWF has donated over $5.7 million to 165 local nonprofit programs, making a tangible difference in the lives of many. Beyond its philanthropic work, the Women’s Fund is a platform for women to connect, engage, and learn about important community issues. Members can attend events, network with other women, and contribute to the Fund’s mission. For more information, visit www.rsfwomensfund.org.