Grants

The Rob Benzon / Dan Ferbal Foundation (RBDFF) is proud to have awarded three scholarships through the annual PFLAG Scholarship Awards to three deserving LGBTQ+ students pursuing higher education.

The Rob Benzon Memorial Scholarship: Dylan Baker

Dylan is a history major with an LGBTQ+ studies minor at San Diego State University. While attending Cuesta College, they founded and served as the first president of the Cuesta Pride Club. Dylan has been deeply involved in preserving and uplifting LGBTQ+ history in California through their work with the Central Coast Queer Archive Project. Their academic interests center on North American, Middle Eastern, and Queer history, with a focus on their intersections.

Dylan will graduate with their B.A. in Fall 2025 and plans to pursue a master’s degree in history or public policy, with the long-term goal of teaching and contributing to local politics.

Daniel J. Ferbal Memorial Scholarship: Jorge Chavez Diaz De Leon

Jorge is a proud first-generation college student at San Diego State University, majoring in Social Work with a minor in Spanish. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a participant in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), which supports first-generation and low-income students, Jorge is committed to bridging cultural gaps and fostering inclusive spaces.

“This scholarship makes me feel heard, seen, and noticed knowing we are never alone and we can always fight for what we want for our future. My goal is to use my education to make a positive impact in my community, empower others, and promote social justice. I am passionate about working with diverse populations and hope to contribute to meaningful change in society.”

Andy Thomas Memorial Scholarship: Audrey Ritz

Audrey will pursue a degree in Theater at California State University, Fullerton, in Fall 2025. A lifelong thespian, she is committed to building a career on stage, both as a working actor and as a theater educator who inspires young performers. Audrey also dreams of one day creating a program that funds arts education and provides scholarships to students who share her passion for the arts.

Grants awarded in June 2025

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant for the Children’s Holiday Magic Project to provide “Care Deer Packs” to children spending their holidays in San Diego hospitals. Each pack includes a 12-page activity and coloring book along with a downloadable music-and-story CD, offering comfort and joy during a difficult time.

For more than 22 years, this program has brightened the holidays for thousands of young patients, their siblings, and their parents. The Foundation is proud to continue underwriting the printing costs, so even more children can experience a lift in spirits during the holiday season.

Grant awarded in November 2025

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a 2025 grant to purchase and deliver toys to children of the Wounded Warrior Project, in collaboration with Luis Fitch and the Warm Smiles Project.

Community leader and philanthropist Johan Engman, owner of Breakfast Republic and Fig Tree Café, hosts an annual holiday dinner for Wounded Warrior families. Each year, Johan, Luis, and a dedicated group of organizers, family members, and volunteers hand-deliver toys to the children on Christmas Day. To date, over 8,000 toys have been personally delivered, bringing comfort, joy, and holiday magic to families who need it most. Many children have shared that this was the only gift they received during the holidays.

This grant helps ensure that hundreds more children will receive a cherished holiday gift in 2025.

Grant awarded in November 2025

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant for a local firefighter who survived a traumatic on-duty accident while deployed as part of a US&R team on their way to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts. After their vehicle rolled multiple times and was subsequently struck by a semi-truck, the firefighter, despite sustaining injuries, provided lifesaving care to severely injured colleagues at the scene.

Following the incident, the firefighter completed a six-month PTSD treatment program but continued to face emotional and financial challenges during recovery. To support ongoing healing, the firefighter sought a specialized program shown to help reduce PTSD symptoms. The Foundation approved a grant covering the full program cost.

Grant awarded in November 2025

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation was honored to once again support the annual Scott Carlson/Dan Ferbal Community Thanksgiving Dinner by assisting with food costs. Hosted each year on Thanksgiving Day at the San Diego LGBTQ Community Center, this cherished tradition has been bringing the community together since 1988, when Scott Carlson first created the event to provide a warm holiday meal for San Diegans suffering from HIV/AIDS at the height of the epidemic.

For many years, Dan Ferbal and Steve Hawley volunteered, and in 2020, Dan’s name was added to the event in recognition of his remarkable service and enduring compassion for the community. Today, the dinner continues with that legacy of care and inclusiveness, offering a welcoming space and a hot Thanksgiving meal for individuals facing cancer and other serious illnesses, people experiencing homelessness, and anyone in need of connection during the holiday. In 2025, more than 650 individuals benefited from this vital community gathering.

Grant awarded in November 2025

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant request for Nick R., whose life was upended by an e-bike accident in May that resulted in a severe leg injury. After weeks on crutches, countless medical appointments, and continued physical therapy, Nick was still unable to return to his serving job, and disability income wasn’t enough to stay afloat. As savings ran out and his lease ended, he found himself in urgent need of housing assistance. The Foundation’s support helped bridge that gap, ensuring Nick had stability while he worked toward a full recovery.

Grant awarded in November 2025

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant request for Bryana O., who was assaulted and knocked down while already wheelchair-bound due to MS. As a result of her injuries, she was unable to work and at risk of losing her housing.

Our grant provided essential support to help prevent Bryana from becoming homeless. Because of the Foundation’s assistance, she was able to remain in her apartment, focus on recovery, and access the therapy and home health care she urgently needed.

Grant awarded in November 2025

Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation was proud to support Camp Spero in partnership with the Center for Compassionate Care of the Elizabeth Hospice. This important charity is part of a network of free bereavement camps for children and teens ages 6 to 17 years of age who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Camp Spero’s counselors run specially designed activities to assist these children with the bereavement process. Our grant provided funds to supply the camp attendees with stuffed Teddy Bear’s wearing Rob Benzon Dan Ferbal Foundation T-Shirts.

Grant awarded in May 2025

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant request for Alissa A, a dedicated hairdresser and a busy mother of three teenage boys. During the holidays, she began experiencing severe back pain and eventually sought help at the Emergency Room. Alissa was admitted to the hospital for 3 days, where she faced additional stress due to a lack of adequate insurance, while they waited for a biopsy and an MRI of her back. Receiving a Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer diagnosis has been devastating, as the cancer has spread to her spine and caused a fracture. Her inability to work has placed a significant burden on her husband and sons, who rely on her for love, nurturing, and financial stability. Alissa does have insurance that is paid out of pocket, insurance is not available through her occupation.

The family has been struggling with the logistical challenges of almost daily trips to La Jolla for treatment, especially with just one car. Often her husband has to take time off work to either drive Alissa to her treatments, or manage the boys’ schedules, adding to their already high stress. Despite these difficulties, the medical team is hopeful about her 18-week chemotherapy and radiation treatment plan.  Our grant has provided necessary funding to help with rent for the family during this difficult time.

Grant awarded in May 2025

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant request for Eric A, who was overcome by very toxic fumes that burned his nose, bronchial tubes, and scarred his lungs from an exterminator using highly concentrated ammonia gas in his apartment complex.

Eric has a long road to recovery. His breathing is that of a person with severe asthma and he hasn’t yet been able to return to a full work schedule, so he’s struggling financially to stay in his apartment and pay his medical and other bills. Our grant provided necessary funds to help keep Eric in his apartment while he recovers.

Grant Awarded in March 2025