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.
Helen
Helen
Helen recently became the sole home healthcare provider for her elderly and bedridden mother after her son Michael passed away from a massive heart attack. After Michael’s unexpected death, Helen was left on her own to provide constant supervision and round-the-clock care for her mother. Unable to leave her home or get any rest, Helen was becoming mentally and physically exhausted. Because Helen could not afford alternative home healthcare, this grant provided funds to pay for a home healthcare provider to cover for Helen one afternoon per week for ten weeks for a much-needed break.
Grant made March 2016
Hannah’s House Transitions Program
Hannah’s House Transitions Program
Hannah’s House is a community-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides vital services to children in crisis situations, including those who have experienced abuse, witnessed domestic violence, been victims of abduction, lived with a parent with a substance abuse problem, or are in the midst of a difficult family breakup. These children are at risk for emotional or physical abuse who would otherwise lose a relationship with either their mother or father during difficult family transitions resulting in clear negative long-term effects for the child. This grant provided funds to purchase new outdoor playground equipment for their therapeutic work with these children and their parents.
Grant made March 2016
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 housing expenses until his work authorization was reinstated.
Grant made February 2016
Nellie
Nellie
Nellie is an elderly resident of San Diego who recently took a serious tumble and broke her kneecap. Because of the injuries sustained, she was unable to walk, drive or work during her recovery period. This grant covered her living expenses for three months.
Grant made January 2016
Carmen
Carmen
Carmen received a terminal diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Her last wish was to make the pilgrimage to the Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City. This grant provided her the opportunity to travel to Mexico City.
Grant made January 2016
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