Grants

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

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant request for Ruth Hendricks with Special Delivery to support their meal program. This worthwhile program improves the nutritional status and quality of life for members of the LGBTQ community living with life-threatening illnesses in San Diego. Special Delivery provides nutritious, medically approved meals for those in need. This grant specifically funded the food pantry at Special Delivery San Diego and provided the needed groceries for 3 meals per day for two weeks, supporting destitute clients with AIDS, heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, and other life-threatening illnesses.

Grant awarded in February 2025

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant to support Robert D, a bartender at Pecs Bar, who was helping a friend move and suffered a broken tibia and torn meniscus.  Due to this unexpected event, Robert was not able to work which caused a financial hardship for him. Our grant provided the needed funds to pay Robert’s rent for two months while he was recovering.

Grant Awarded in January 2025

This wonderful nonprofit annually produces thousands of 12-page activity/coloring and interactive CD books that are distributed during the holiday season to sick, hospital-bound children at Rady’s Children’s Hospital of San Diego. Once again, our foundation was proud to underwrite the printing costs for these much-anticipated “Care Deer Pack” children’s books for hospitalized children. Over the past 22 years, thousands of sick children have enjoyed these activity books, and they are a wonderful resource to provide comfort during a time of need.

Grant awarded in November of 2024

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

Community leader and philanthropist, Johan Engman, has hosted an annual dinner for the Wounded Warrior families. As the owner of the Breakfast Republic and Fig Tree Café, Johan and his team collaborate with Luis Finch and our board members to hand-deliver toys for the children on Christmas Day. This grant ensures that hundreds of kids in need will receive a holiday gift. In the past, many of these children reported that this was the only toy they received. Providing comfort and joy during the holidays to hundreds of children is a wonderful way to serve our community!

Grant awarded in November of 2024

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation was honored to assist with the food costs for the annual Scott Carlson/Dan Ferbal Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Every year this dinner is held at the San Diego LGBTQ Community Center on Thanksgiving Day.

This tradition began in 1988 when community leader, Scott Carlson hosted a Thanksgiving Celebration for San Diegans suffering with HIV/AIDS. This was at the height of the AIDS pandemic, and this event provided a warm meal for many of our sick citizens.

Dan Ferbal and Steve Hawley volunteered at this event for many years, and in 2020, Dan Ferbal’s name was added to the event, in remembrance and in honor of his community service. The tradition of giving continues annually and provides a hot Thanksgiving meal for those in need in our community.

The dinner now includes people with cancer and other ailments, homeless people, and anyone needing a safe and inviting place to come together as a community on this holiday. More than 600 individuals benefited this year from the 2024 Thanksgiving feast.

Grant awarded in November of 2024

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant request for Chrissie S., who needed help with her rent payments during a dire medical emergency.

Chrissie has been struggling with several bouts of cancer for the last two years, starting with a diagnosis of stage 3 tongue cancer. She was gainfully employed and went through chemo and surgeries until recently, when he doctors informed her that the cancer had spread. She had to stop working in March 2024 in order to fight her latest health challenges. RBDFF was able to help her with several rent payments until she received her disability insurance.

Grant awarded in September of 2024

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

The Rob Benzon Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to Sada C.

Sada is planning to study psychology as an incoming freshman at the University of California, Santa Cruz in the fall of 2024. She plans to research alternative therapies for treatment-resistant mental illness while also promoting queer liberty on campus. Sada is humbled to receive this scholarship from the Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation and is grateful for the educational opportunity.

Grant awarded in June 2024

Daniel J. Ferbal Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to Hisami O.

Hisami is a graduating senior at High Tech high Media Arts, planning to study legal and environmental studies at Williams College in the fall. She is a strong advocate for intersectional causes and believes more democratized higher education to be a focal component of increasing gender equity. She is so grateful to be receiving this scholarship!

Grant awarded in June 2024