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.
Antonia C.
Antonia C.
Antonia had a surgery due to diabetes and disc problems in March that went badly and she had been virtually incapacitated since. She was hospitalized for several months and then homebound on an IV and unable to work. Antonia was laid off from work while recovering. She has survived so far with help from family and friends but that help is tapped out. Antonia was really desperate with two kids (ages 2 and 4) and not being able to provide for them. RBF paid for the next month’s rent and also provided a food card so she could have groceries and essential needs for the children.
Donation made in October 2010
Jared K.
Jared K.
Jared is a young San Diegan who suffered very serious injuries in a Vespa accident. Jared’s injuries were so severe that it was unknown whether he would be able to walk again unassisted. He did have vehicle insurance but not injury coverage and the bills quickly mounted. Jared only had “major medical” health insurance leaving him responsible for a large chunk of the medical costs. The vehicle insurance paid for his Vespa and he used that money to chip away at bills. RBF paid for much of the emergency room services which enabled Jared to use his disability checks for rent, utilities, and other basic needs. We got an update from Jared a few months later that his recovery is going great and he is walking unassisted!
Donation made in August 2010 | Click here for a note from the recipient
Jose A. Family
Jose A. Family
Tragedy struck a local family when 21 year Jose was killed in car accident just a day after finishing his college summer school class. Jose and a co-worker were driving in separate vehicles; Jose was following his co-worker. As they were driving, the co-worker swerved to miss a coyote that was in the road which caused his vehicle to roll over. Jose swerved to avoid hitting his co-worker and lost control of his car. As Jose’s vehicle was spinning, the rear portion of Jose’s vehicle collided with the front end of an oncoming Ford F-150 pickup truck. Jose’s family has very limited means and was struggling with how to pay for the funeral and burial costs while also dealing with their unimaginable grief. Friends of the family covered the burial expenses and RBF paid for the head stone that marks Jose’s final resting place.
Donation made in August 2010
Nick O.
Nick O.
Nick is the sole provider for he and his wife. His testicular cancer was initially misdiagnosed which cost him valuable time and allowed the tumor to grow even larger and the recovery and time away from work more difficult. RBF helped Nick and his wife with Kaiser medical bills which mounted quickly. The good news is the Nick’s surgery was successful and he appears to be cancer free!
Donation made in July 2010 | Click here for a note from the recipient
Sherrill W.
Sherrill W.
71 year old Sherrill W. is battling cancer while taking care of her 51 year old mentally challenged son. Sherrill was the victim of theft and left virtually penniless. Her only income is Social Security and SSI for her son. She wants to work but no one is hiring a 71 year old cancer patient. With her savings gone her Social Security is not enough for her rent, bills, medical insurance, etc. Sherrill is getting some food from a church who also helps take her to medical appointments. RBF paid one month’s rent and provided a food card so she could put groceries in her home. We also referred Sherrill to other charities and organizations who could give her longer term assistance.
Donation made in June 2010 | Click here for a note from the recipient
Laurel P.
Laurel P.
12 year old Laurel P. was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. She has had 13 weeks of chemo and 2 tumor removal surgeries. Most patients die within 2 years of getting this type of brain cancer. The family needed money to take her to NYC to have her evaluated for a special experimental treatment. The family lost their business and went bankrupt in January. It is a very sad and desperate situation. More information is on their website: http://fortheloveoflaurel.org/default.htm. RBF helped pay one month’s rent to provide some relief during this challenging time.
Donation made in April 2010
Marina L.
Marina L.
Marina is the sole provider for her family of 5. On 2/24/10, she was walking down the street when an accident with a bus occurred and she was pinned to the wall by the bus. She was rushed to the hospital where her leg had to be amputated at mid thigh. Her other leg was broken in several places. Marina has no insurance and no income and asked for assistance with food and shelter for the children. Others provided short term housing assistance and RBF was able to provide funds for a reliable steady source of food for the children.
Donation made in March 2010
PFLAG/San Diego 2010
PFLAG/San Diego 2010
Donation made for the PFLAG Rob Benzon Scholarship Fund which is awarded to a bisexual, transgender, lesbian or gay student planning to attend a post-secondary educational institution. The recipient this year was Nicole Levin who is pursuing degrees in Nursing and International Security and Conflict Resolution with a minor in Public Health at San Diego State University. Nicole’s career goal is healthcare advocacy, especially with refugee populations, since she is herself an American expatriate. She has been active in LGBT issues in Slovenia, Australia and California. Her letter of recommendation mentions her character and determination in creating a position for herself as the sole English-speaking editor for a subgroup of the UN Development Program in Ukraine.
Donation made in March 2010
Christopher
Christopher
Christopher escaped a house fire with his life and his dog – and nothing else. Christopher had no fire insurance and lost everything. RBF provided funds within 12 hours of learning of the tragedy to help Christopher get emergency clothing, toiletries, and shelter. We also helped Christopher replace his mobile phone so he could contact friends and family.
Donation made in March 2010
Chris F.
Chris F.
Chris is a self-employed contractor who was hospitalized for several days for a very serious condition. Chris has no health insurance and as a self-employed person lost his income while unable to work. RBF paid one month’s rent to keep him from losing his housing.
Donation made in February 2010