Grants
Our Grants
It is our honor to help our fellow San Diegans through our grant program. Below are some of our grant recipients throughout the years. To protect their privacy, first and last names may not be displayed.
To request a grant, click the “Request a Grant” button.
Toni Atkins Lesbian Women’s Health Fund
Toni Atkins Lesbian Women’s Health Fund
The Rob Benzon Foundation provided a grant to the Toni Atkins Lesbian Women’s Health Fund, which assists low income women in need of medical treatment, referrals, support, education, advocacy and guidance through the healthcare system.
Grant made in January 2017
Melodee
Melodee
Melodee was undergoing treatment for the cancer when she suffered a stoke which resulted in partial paralysis of her legs. While she recovered, the Rob Benzon Foundation provided her with three months of rent.
Grant made in December 2016
Embrace
Embrace
Embrace mobilizes the skills, resources and manpower of local volunteer college students to remodel homes for disabled veterans making the homes both aesthetically beautiful and also handicap accessible. The Rob Benzon Foundation provided funds to purchase materials for the project.
Grant made in November 2016
The Annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Day Dinner
The Annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Day Dinner
The Rob Benzon Foundation once again supported the annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Day Dinner. The grant provided funds to assist organizers with the cost of the food needed to feed the underprivileged and homeless members of the LGBTQ community. The event is held annually at the San Diego LGBTQ Community Center on Thanksgiving Day.
Grant made in November 2016
Leo
Leo
Leo was in a very serious car accident where the car hydroplaned after a heavy rain storm on a local San Diego freeway. The car spun out of control and was then broadsided by an oncoming vehicle. Leo broke his shoulder bone, several ribs and suffered from a collapsed lung and was hospitalized for several months. Unable to work during his recovery, the Rob Benzon Foundation paid for his rent and food for two months to help him get back on his feet.
Grant made in October 2016
Art
Art
The Rob Benzon Foundation assisted Art with two months of housing as he transitioned from Stepping Stone (a residential treatment facility) into sober living at Enya House in San Diego.
Grant made in August 2016
Kyle
Kyle
Kyle recently underwent a five-week series of debilitating chemotherapy treatments. The Rob Benzon Foundation stepped in to provide funds to cover the day care expenses for his two young daughters, so that he could complete the treatments.
Grant made July 2016
PFLAG San Diego Scholarship Program
PFLAG San Diego Scholarship Program
On May 13, 2016, the Rob Benzon Foundation awarded two scholarships at the annual PFLAG San Diego Scholarship Awards to two LGBTQ students pursuing higher education. The Rob Benzon Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Antonio Mendivil and the Brian Wilson Memorial Scholarship went to Riley Gibson.
Grant made May 2016
Stepping Stone
Stepping Stone
This year, Stepping Stone of San Diego celebrates 40 years of providing life saving programs to individuals in the LGBTQ community seeking recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Stepping Stone is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is proud to be one of the nation’s only alcohol and drug treatment facilities that specializes in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Stepping Stone delivers alcohol and drug treatments, HIV and other health interventions, recovery, education and prevention services specializing in the challenges of the LGBTQ community. After serving three meals a day for over 15 years to its program residents and visitors, the old stove in their kitchen called it quits. The Rob Benzon Foundation stepped in to provide funds to purchase a new commercial stove for their kitchen, which makes nearly 100 meals each day for residents participating in their alcohol or drug rehabilitation program, as well as for individuals visiting their facility seeking assistance.
Grant made April 2016
Camp Erin San Diego
Camp Erin San Diego
Camp Erin is hosted by the Center for Compassionate Care of The Elizabeth Hospice and part of 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. The camp counselors run specially designed activities to assist these children with the bereavement process. This grant provided funds for comfort items for the kids attending Camp Erin in June 2016.
Grant made March 2016