2024-2025 Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation Grant

The Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation (RBCF) invites nonprofit organizations to submit grant applications for projects that will enhance the quality of life for those who live, work, and play in Rancho Bernardo. The foundation's purpose and vision are to improve the quality of life and meet emerging needs by increasing responsible and effective philanthropy, building a community endowment, providing annual funds to community organizations, and offering a vehicle for legacy planning. This directly aligns with their mission of fostering community well-being and long-term sustainability within Rancho Bernardo. The grant program targets nonprofit organizations, schools, or government agencies whose projects clearly address Rancho Bernardo-specific issues and needs, and enhance civic engagement, with a clear impact on local residents. The overall impact goal is to improve the quality of life for the community. Funding can be used to expand existing programs, replicate successful programs from other communities, or launch entirely new initiatives, emphasizing practicality and achievability within a 12-month timeframe. RBCF's grantmaking for its 36th year focuses on two key areas: Music and Community Enhancement. For music-related programs, RBCF will award between $1,500 and $5,000 from the RB Symphony on the Green Fund. For community enhancement projects, which aim to inspire community pride, revitalization, and increase the quality of life, grants will range from $1,500 to $10,000. These focus areas reflect the foundation's strategic priority to directly invest in specific sectors that contribute to a vibrant and thriving community. Expected outcomes include projects that demonstrate and/or foster collaboration with other successful entities, have a strategic impact with long-lasting benefits, are based on a proven track record, and target clearly defined, measurable results attainable within a reasonable timeframe. Sustainability is a key criterion, meaning projects should be replicable, repeatable, and/or scalable. The foundation's theory of change posits that by supporting well-managed programs that address unmet needs, foster collaboration, and demonstrate long-term viability, they can effectively contribute to the sustained improvement of the community's quality of life. They particularly seek projects that focus on problem areas, opportunities, or populations not currently funded or serviced by existing entities.