Grants

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant request for Ruth Hendricks with Special Delivery to support their meal program. This worthwhile program improves the nutritional status and quality of life for members of the LGBTQ community living with life-threatening illnesses in San Diego. Special Delivery provides nutritious, medically approved meals for those in need. This grant specifically funded the food pantry at Special Delivery San Diego and provided the needed groceries for 3 meals per day for two weeks, supporting destitute clients with AIDS, heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, and other life-threatening illnesses.

Grant awarded in February 2025

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant to support Robert D, a bartender at Pecs Bar, who was helping a friend move and suffered a broken tibia and torn meniscus.  Due to this unexpected event, Robert was not able to work which caused a financial hardship for him. Our grant provided the needed funds to pay Robert’s rent for two months while he was recovering.

Grant Awarded in January 2025

This wonderful nonprofit annually produces thousands of 12-page activity/coloring and interactive CD books that are distributed during the holiday season to sick, hospital-bound children at Rady’s Children’s Hospital of San Diego. Once again, our foundation was proud to underwrite the printing costs for these much-anticipated “Care Deer Pack” children’s books for hospitalized children. Over the past 22 years, thousands of sick children have enjoyed these activity books, and they are a wonderful resource to provide comfort during a time of need.

Grant awarded in November of 2024

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant to purchase and deliver toys to the children of the Wounded Warrior Project in collaboration with Luis Fitch of the Warm Smiles Project.

Community leader and philanthropist, Johan Engman, has hosted an annual dinner for the Wounded Warrior families. As the owner of the Breakfast Republic and Fig Tree Café, Johan and his team collaborate with Luis Finch and our board members to hand-deliver toys for the children on Christmas Day. This grant ensures that hundreds of kids in need will receive a holiday gift. In the past, many of these children reported that this was the only toy they received. Providing comfort and joy during the holidays to hundreds of children is a wonderful way to serve our community!

Grant awarded in November of 2024

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation was honored to assist with the food costs for the annual Scott Carlson/Dan Ferbal Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Every year this dinner is held at the San Diego LGBTQ Community Center on Thanksgiving Day.

This tradition began in 1988 when community leader, Scott Carlson hosted a Thanksgiving Celebration for San Diegans suffering with HIV/AIDS. This was at the height of the AIDS pandemic, and this event provided a warm meal for many of our sick citizens.

Dan Ferbal and Steve Hawley volunteered at this event for many years, and in 2020, Dan Ferbal’s name was added to the event, in remembrance and in honor of his community service. The tradition of giving continues annually and provides a hot Thanksgiving meal for those in need in our community.

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 600 individuals benefited this year from the 2024 Thanksgiving feast.

Grant awarded in November of 2024

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant request for Chrissie S., who needed help with her rent payments during a dire medical emergency.

Chrissie has been struggling with several bouts of cancer for the last two years, starting with a diagnosis of stage 3 tongue cancer. She was gainfully employed and went through chemo and surgeries until recently, when he doctors informed her that the cancer had spread. She had to stop working in March 2024 in order to fight her latest health challenges. RBDFF was able to help her with several rent payments until she received her disability insurance.

Grant awarded in September of 2024

The Rob Benzon / Dan Ferbal Foundation (RBDFF) is proud to have awarded two scholarships through the annual PFLAG Scholarship Awards to two deserving LGBTQ students pursuing higher education.

The Rob Benzon Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to Sada C.

Sada is planning to study psychology as an incoming freshman at the University of California, Santa Cruz in the fall of 2024. She plans to research alternative therapies for treatment-resistant mental illness while also promoting queer liberty on campus. Sada is humbled to receive this scholarship from the Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation and is grateful for the educational opportunity.

Grant awarded in June 2024

Daniel J. Ferbal Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to Hisami O.

Hisami is a graduating senior at High Tech high Media Arts, planning to study legal and environmental studies at Williams College in the fall. She is a strong advocate for intersectional causes and believes more democratized higher education to be a focal component of increasing gender equity. She is so grateful to be receiving this scholarship!

Grant awarded in June 2024

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant request for Stephone W., who desperately needed emergency rent assistance.

Stephone has many health challenges, which prevented him from working. He suffered a stroke, and while slowly recovering, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. As the main financial provider for his wife and three small children, the family was in crisis when Stephone fell behind in the rent.

With help from RBDFF, the family’s threat of eviction was prevented.

Grant awarded in April of 2024

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant request for Caroline A., who suffered a terrible fall down a flight of stairs in a freak accident-she was tripped up by a small dog while she was dog sitting. Unfortunately, the fall dislocated her right shoulder and tore her rotator cuff. Her injury required several surgeries and extensive reconstruction.

This unfortunate situation prevented Caroline from working for an extended period of time, while she recovered and received therapy. Subsequently, she fell very behind in her bills.  RBDFF approved a grant that provided much needed funds for food and bills during this very difficult time.

Grant awarded in March of 2024

The Rob Benzon/Dan Ferbal Foundation approved a grant request for Perla V.

Perla became a widow, after her husband died unexpectedly. She is now a single mother of two small children. Perla suffered extreme financial hardship when her husband passed suddenly from an unexpected illness. He was the main provider for his family. Perla was worried she and her children may lose their home as she was months behind in her rent.  RBDFF approved a grant to assist Perla with several rent payments. We are proud to say that with our assistance, we helped Perla and her children from being evicted and possibly faced with homelessness.

 Grant awarded in January of 2024