The Rancho Santa Fe Community Foundation was founded in October 1981, as a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. The inauguration took place at the Garden Club on January 26, 1983. It was announced at this meeting that the Foundation had received tax-exempt status from both the Federal Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board in October 1982 and was empowered to receive and manage endowment funds established for the benefit of the community.
The Founding board members included Richard Wehmeyer, Chairman, Gerard Alexander, Judith Arendsee, Charles Arledge, John Barclay, Florita Bible, Jeffrey Brown, James Fox, Nancy Herrington, Kenneth Hill, Jeanette Peterson, Morton Rible, D.L. Secrist, Paul Thomas, Jr. and Gwendolyn Whitehead. Barry Fitzpatrick served as Legal Advisor and George Van Nostrand as Executive Director. The board members served without compensation.
On October 20, 2011, RSFF celebrated its 30th Anniversary at a community celebration at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe.
