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.
Molly
Molly
A few months ago, Molly was diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer. By the time she found the cancer, it had spread to her lymph nodes, but thankfully not to any other organs. As a result of the aggressive treatment she underwent, she was off work for almost three months. This grant provided Molly with the funds to pay her rent for three months.
Grant made January 2016
Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline runs a nationwide suicide prevention hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people. They provide culturally competent services to trans and gender nonconforming people in crisis. They work with trans people and allies to end the plague of trans suicide. This grant provided the organization with enough to cover their phone expenses for a period of three months.
Grant made December 2015
Chris
Chris
Chris, a member of the San Diego LGBT community living with HIV, recently lost everything he owned due to a break in at his apartment. Chris’s vocation is specialized construction work and while onsite at a construction job out of town, Chris’ apartment in San Diego was burglarized. The break-in was catastrophic as Chris had just moved to this new apartment and most of his belongings (including most of his tools) were still packed in boxes, which made for easy work for the thieves to literally walk away with everything he owned. The resulting stress of the loss of all he owned caused Chris to have a health crisis, which sent him to the hospital for a week. This grant helped Chris get himself back on his feet and back to making a living.
Grant made November 2015
Francisco
Francisco
The Rob Benzon Foundation came to the aid of a member of the San Diego LGBT community working in the U.S. on a temporary work authorization. Francisco is a high school Spanish teacher who is very well-liked by his students and peers. He has worked with LGBTQ kids, including offering much support to a member of the transgender community that has just started to transition. Due to a delay by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States), he was removed from his teaching position, because of this delay in the approval process. This grant helped Francisco with living expenses until his work authorization was reinstated.
Grant made November 2015
Gregory
Gregory
The Foundation provided assistance for this member of the San Diego community who has been battling stage 3 Non-Hodgkin’s Malt Lymphoma. Gregory was treated with eight weeks of radiation therapy and is now on his third cycle of chemotherapy. The chemo treatments will continue every two months for two years. His prognosis for health is bright, since the cancer has gone into remission, but he was unable to work during the treatments. Without the ability to work, he has had a staggering amount of bills to contend with. This grant provided immediate assistance to pay for living expenses.
Grant made November 2015
2015 Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner
2015 Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner
The Rob Benzon Foundation once again answered the call to assist with costs of the annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner held at the San Diego LGBT Community Center on Thanksgiving Day. Started in 1988 by Scott Carlson as a dinner for HIV/AIDS patients, the tradition of giving continues to provide a hot Thanksgiving meal for those in need in our community on the day we earmark to give thanks. 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 500 people benefited from this year’s dinner.
Grant made November 2015
The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s Behavioral Health Services
The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s Behavioral Health Services in memory of Kurt Cunningham
In honor of the late Kurt Cunningham, this grant provided funds for the San Diego LGBT Community Center’s Behavioral Health Services to benefit those suffering from depression and other behavioral health issues in our community.
Grant made October 2015
Nisha
Nisha
Nisha was diagnosed with inoperable brain tumors. The Rob Benzon Foundation provided her with funds to help cover the cost of expensive co-payments for the radiation treatments she needs.
Grant made October 2015
Patricia
Patricia
Patricia received a terminal diagnosis of heart failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and is not expected to live more than six months. Her dying wish is to be able to transition in a clean house with as much love and respect as possible alongside her elderly husband of 30 years. The Foundation approved a grant that would provide funds for housekeeping services at her home twice a month for 12 months.
Grant made August 2015
Theodore
Theodore
Theodore, a 77 year old gentleman, suffered with a terminal diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis and COPD. He and his wife spent most of their lives helping impoverished children in Guatemala, the Philippines and the US. He was in hospice with his body failing quickly. His dying wish was to be able to ride the train to Santa Barbara to visit his best friend who just turned 99. The Rob Benzon Foundation granted Theodore the necessary funds for the cost of the train ride for both he and his wife so she may assist him and for one night’s lodging in an affordable nearby motel.
Grant made June 2015