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.
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones
Founded in 1976, Stepping Stone is a trusted San Diego non-profit alcohol and drug recovery agency that provides alcohol and other drug treatment, HIV and other health interventions, recovery, education and prevention services focusing primarily, but not exclusively on the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities of the greater San Diego region. Their clients are as varied as the community we serve. At the time of this grant their residents included a transgender person, an l8 year-old gay youth, several African-American San Diegans, a mother of four, a pregnant woman and a number of persons who are HIV+.
Donation Made in May 2012
Michael D.
Michael D.
28 year old Michael D was just diagnosed with TYPE 1 diabetes. Michael has been in and out of hospitals this past year and fights each day to get his insulin levels under control. In one critical hospitalization Michael went into a diabetic coma as his organs started failing. Michael was unemployed at the time of his diagnosis, lived with his aunt who cleans houses and had no insurance or other means to help him with the critical pump that will keep his insulin levels safely managed outside of the hospital environment. Michael’s friends and family did small fundraisers to try to raise the significant funds needed but could not raise enough money. The Rob Benzon Foundation stepped in and made up the difference, agreeing to cover the gap to purchase an insulin pump for Michael to keep him healthy, safe, and out of the hospital.
Donation approved in May 2012
PFLAG Scholarship – Ryan C
PFLAG Scholarship – Ryan C
Ryan is the 2012 recipient of the RBF PFLAG scholarship. Ryan is a San Diego grad now moving to Michigan to get his PHd in Clinical Psychology. Ryan overcame his own early child diagnosis with the help of excellent doctors and now wants to pay it forward by doing research that will help other youths. Ryan wrote a note to the Rob Benzon Foundation and our supporters stating, “This scholarship will take an enormous amount of stress of my shoulders when paying for grad school. It is so wonderful to know there are such generous people as yourselves within our community!” We wish Ryan every success in his bright future.
Donation made in April 2012
Luke A.
Luke A.
9 year old Luke Acuna was riding his skateboard on the sidewalk along Kansas Street and when he turned to look back at his friends he collided with a trash truck. Luke, who was wearing a helmet, suffered internal injuries, broken bones and was put in a medically induced coma. His left leg was a amputated Nov. 30, and he has undergone multiple surgeries. Luke has been in the hospital more than 100 days and Luke’s parents could not work and be by Luke’s side in the hospital. Not able to pay rent and secure a home for Luke to return to, the Rob Benzon Foundation stepped in paid almost two months rent to the Acuna’s landlord to try to lighten the family burden in some small way. Rob Benzon Foundation board member Terry Lehr attended Luke’s 100 day celebration at Children’s Hospital and got to meet the entire Acuna family who were so appreciative of the Rob Benzon Foundation’s unexpected help and hope in a time of crisis.
Donation made in January 2012
Family Matters / The Center
Family Matters / The Center
There were 50 San Diego families known to The Center staff with needs screened by their case managers. Although the situations vary from parents who recently lost their jobs or had their homes foreclosed upon to those who are suddenly caring for ill relatives, in each case the families had no other source of assistance during the holiday season and insufficient resources to provide food on the table or small toys for the children. RBF provided the needed remaining funds and Center staff members shopped for food and grocery items, as well as small, age-appropriate toys for each of the families. These grocery items and toys were then packaged and distributed or delivered to each of the families in time for the holidays.
Donation made in December 2011
Kimberly H.
Kimberly H.
A young mother suffering from a relapse of Crohn’s disease requiring hospitalization was behind in her rent and unable to provide medical necessities for her children including expensive prescriptions for of the children. RBF stepped in and paid her landlord one month’s rent and also arranged for an account at her pharmacy where funds were put in place to provide reliable payment for her children’s prescriptions. When Kimberly was informed about the grant, she replied, “I cannot begin to express my gratitude. . I will never forget what your organization has done for us and you will be where I donate back to in return. Thank you for hearing me when no one else would listen.”
Donation made in October 2011
Elizabeth Nguyen/PFLAG
Elizabeth Nguyen/PFLAG
Elizabeth plans to be a community activist. “I’ve begun this work by helping lead queer and feminist organizations and by interning at my university’s LGBT Resource Center. “However,” she continued, “I’d like to further my activism through literature. Through stories, I want to express the suffering, joy, oppression, and liberation of those in our community. I want to be able to speak of my own stories as a queer woman of color, which have been long silenced by hostile cultural attitudes.
Donation made in July 2011
Evan K and Francisco H
Evan K. and Francisco H.
Both recipients were victims of the fire that hit 1033 University Avenue on July 6, 2011. Both recipients lost all of their belongings, school books, personal items, etcetera and had no insurance or savings. RBF provided the means to replace some of their emergency personal items such as clothing and personal care items. RBF also provided the means to replace some basic furniture items such as a bed and drawers as these two young men started over.
Donation made in July 2011
Foster and Displaced Children in Court
Foster and Displaced Children in Court
RBF provided more than 500 new stuffed animals to comfort the scores of scared children in our local juvenile dependency court rooms. The children are there for hearings which include taking kids away from their parents, and placing kids in foster homes after abuse or neglect. One judge described the impact of the toys as, “the animals make a huge difference. I have seen young children sobbing in court who immediately brighten up when told they can pick out an animal before they go.”
Donation made in June 2011 | Click here for a note from the recipient
Janine C.
Janine C.
Janine was a victim of horrific domestic violence. Janine, along with her 10 year old daughter had to flee their home for the sake of their safety. RBF helped Janine and her daughter by paying emergency rent in a stable living situation to help Janine and her daughter remain away from the abuser. In late June, RBF got a note of thanks for helping Janine stay safe and the good news that Janine is stable and safe out of state.
Donation made in May 2011