Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation

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OVERVIEW: The Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation makes grants to local organizations involved in community development, arts and culture, education and wellness.

IP TAKE: The Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation prioritizes its local arts organizations, especially if they involve children and/or elderly residents. Grantmaking is strictly limited to organizations serving people in the community, but small organizations stand an excellent chance. BE sure to consult the foundation’s most recent guidelines, as grantmaking focus is apt to change from year to year. Applications are due each year in mid- to late-May.

PROFILE: Established in 1988, the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation (RBCF) is a community foundation based in Rancho Bernardo, California. RBCF is a regional affiliate of the San Diego Foundation. The foundation aims to "make Rancho Bernardo an even better place to live and work,” although the specific focus of its grantmaking is subject to change from year to year based on community needs and member interests. In a recent year, the foundation called for applications from organizations involved in “music and community enhancement,” while other past grantmaking has addressed local education, health, mental health, arts and culture and more.

Grants for Education and Youth Development

Over the years, a large portion of RBCF’s grants have supported local educational initiatives and youth development programs and services. Grantees include Rancho Bernardo High School, the Turtleback Education Foundation and the Continuing Education Center at San Bernardo. The foundation also supports Voice for Children’s Court Appointed Special Advocate Program.

Grants for Arts and Culture, Arts Education

RBCF recently named music as an area of focus, but other arts and culture organizations have also received funding over the years. Arts education appears to be a an area of priority. Recipients include the San Diego Art Institute, Rancho Bernardo Historical Society, the Poway Symphonette Foundation, the San Diego Harmonics Chorale and Tremble Clefs, which provide music therapy for patients with Parkinson’s disease and related disorders.

Grants for Public Health and Mental Health

This funder also prioritizes initiatives and organizations that work to improve the health and mental health of Rancho Bernardo’s residents. Many grants over the years have prioritized wellness programs for the elderly. Grantees include Rancho Bernardo Senior Services, the Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center, Trauma Intervention Programs of San Diego and the Ed Brown Senior Center.

Grants for Community Development

Many RBCF grants support community development generally in San Bernardo, with grants going to organizations that have strong reputations in the community. The foundation has supported organizations including the Rancho Bernardo Library, the Spirit of the Fourth Fireworks Celebration and the Toby Wells YMCA among others.

Important Grant Details:

RBCF grants range from $1,500 to $10,000, although grant ranges may change from one year to the next.

  • Grantmaking is limited to organizations serving communities in the City of San Bernardo.

  • This funder tends to support small- and medium-sized nonprofits with strong reputations in the community.

  • RBCF changes the specific focus of its giving each year based on community needs and member interests.

  • The foundation accepts applications for a single annual grantmaking cycle. Due dates generally fall in mid- to late-May. See the aplication guidelines for updated information.

  • For information about past grants, see the foundation’s past grantees list or the news posts at the bottom of the foundation’s webpage.

Submit general questions to Trudy Armstrong via email at trudy@sdfoundation.org or (619) 764-8602.

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