Letter from Our Board Chair

Happy Women’s History Month! While we all know  that women do incredible things throughout the year,  this honorary month offers another opportunity to  focus our support, respect, and appreciation for the  women making a difference in our communities. As a Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund Member, YOU are  one of these women! Your commitment to our mission of supporting vital services in organizations throughout San Diego and encouraging each other’s philanthropic journey is a testament to the power of women working together to make a difference! The financial contribution made by each member fuels our ability to support local needs. The time and talent shared by our 130+ active members is our secret sauce. Cheers to your philanthropic success!

This year represents the Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund’s 19th grant cycle. Since May of 2005, we have awarded more than $4.7 million through 144 grants to 100 different non-profit organizations. 

Your yearly contributions and extra donations to the “Above and Beyond” campaign are warmly appreciated.  This year, we have once again raised a record amount of funds to be awarded in grants — over $440,000!  By being a member, you have chosen a place alongside all our organization’s intelligent, compassionate, and generous women. Thank you!

We are currently approaching a crucial time in our annual grants cycle. First, the Annual Presentation General Meeting, where each finalist will make a brief presentation regarding their proposed project, will take place on April 25th. At the end of the presentations, members can vote in person at the meeting by completing the ballots, which will be on their tables.  For those wanting more time or who are unable to attend the meeting, a link to an online ballot will be sent via email later that afternoon. ALL BALLOTS WILL BE DUE NO LATER THAN NOON ON APRIL 27TH. Once the votes have been tabulated, we will meet again on May 17th at our Annual Grant Awards Meeting to celebrate with the new 2022-23 Grant Recipients!

All of this would not have been possible without the work of our Grant Committee. Since September, the behind-the-scenes work being done by these two diligent Work Groups truly represents the value of teamwork. These twenty-six Members have spent their time and energy reviewing and analyzing the grant applications for projects in this year’s two Focus Areas — Military Support Services and Women’s Services. In doing so, they have learned new philanthropic skills and the depth of important work in San Diego to relieve the suffering of all kinds.  Further, this committee work offers members the soul-gratifying opportunity to lean into building meaningful relationships with a group of strong women over a common purpose.  It is beautiful to see bonds of friendship blossom through collaborating so diligently during this process. Who knows, you may want to become part of the Grants Committee next year!  

Please join me in supporting our Grants Committee’s hard work by attending both upcoming General Meetings and casting your votes for this year’s nominees. Your participation at this stage in our Grants Cycle really does matter, and the grant requests this year are so compelling!  Your vote is at the heart of our organization’s mission, and we hope everyone will take the opportunity to exercise their voting privileges!   

Finally, in early June, please be on the lookout for our bi-annual RSF Women’s Fund Membership survey.  We have grown so much in the last couple of years, and we would love to hear from you!  

Together, we are a powerful team of women actively volunteering and making a difference in our community.   I am honored to be doing this work alongside all of you!  I’m not sure who coined this phrase, but it is apropos this – and every – month:  Here’s to strong women: May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.

Susan Hoehn,

WF Board Chair