Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation Grants

The Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation (RBCF) aims to enhance the quality of life in Rancho Bernardo through responsible philanthropy. With funding ranging from $1,500 to $10,000, RBCF supports projects that address community needs, promote creativity, and foster collaboration among local organizations. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt entities serving Rancho Bernardo, focusing on sustainable initiatives that provide long-term benefits. The foundation prioritizes programs that inspire community pride and offer measurable results.

Mission, Vision & Purpose
The purpose and vision of The Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation (RBCF) is to improve the quality of life and meet emerging needs by increasing responsible and effective philanthropy, building a community endowment for the benefit of Rancho Bernardo, providing funds annually to community organizations and causes and giving the Rancho Bernardo community a vehicle for legacy planning and gifts that will benefit Rancho Bernardo now and forever.
RBCF, a proud affiliate of The San Diego Foundation, is committed to the financial support of organizations, projects and programs dedicated to improving the lives of those who live, work and play in Rancho Bernardo.
Focus Areas:

• RBCF is in its 36th year of grantmaking to enhance the quality of life for those who live, work and play in Rancho Bernardo.
• Music: RBCF will award between $1,500 and $5,000 to programs involving music to be awarded from the RB Symphony on the Green Fund.

Community Enhancement: RBCF will award between $1,500 to $10,000 to programs that inspire community pride, revitalization and increase the quality of life of the broader community.

Eligibility

Projects must clearly address Rancho Bernardo-specific issues and needs, including activities that promote creativity and enhance civic engagement and must also clearly address the impact on Rancho Bernardo residents.These projects should be practical, achievable within a 12-month time frame and have prospects for long- term sustainability. Funding may be used to expand existing programs, replicate programs tested in other communities or to launch totally new efforts.RBCF will fund programs managed by nonprofit organizations, schools, or government agencies that embrace one or more of the following:Demonstrates and/or fosters collaboration with other successful entities in the community to achieve a common goal or objective;Is a current project that has strategic impact, i.e., provides long-lasting, ongoing benefit to the community or the distinct population it is intended to serve;Is based on a proven track record of success as demonstrated through process, leaders and/or experienced partners;Targets clearly defined, measurable results that are attainable within a reasonable time frame;Demonstrates sustainability, i.e., is replicable, repeatable and/or scalable;Focuses on problem areas, opportunities or populations that otherwise are not funded and serviced by existing nonprofits, educational organization mandates or state or federal programs.To be eligible for a grant from RBCF, organizations must have tax-exempt status and provide services in Rancho Bernardo. An organization may serve as a fiscal sponsor for a charitable organization that does not have tax-exempt status if a cooperative relationship between the two can be clearly demonstrated, and the fiscal sponsor must be willing to administer the grant if awarded.

Ineligibility

The Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation at The San Diego Foundation does not make grants to
supporting organizations or private, non-operating foundations.Generally, RBCF does not make grants for:

• Annual campaigns and fundraising events
• Capital campaigns for buildings of facilities
• Stipends for attendance at conferences
• Endowments or “chairs”
• For-profit organizations and individuals
• unaffiliated with a qualified fiscal sponsor Projects that promote religious or political
• doctrine Research (medical or otherwise)
• Scholarships
• Existing obligations/debt