The Patriots Connection, a program of Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, awarded grants totaling $100,200 to nine nonprofit programs serving the military in San Diego County in May 2016. The Patriots Connection has awarded over 125 grants totaling more than $1 million since 2009 to nonprofits serving the local military community.
“Rancho Santa Fe Foundation is proud to be able to continue its long history of supporting military members in our community,” said Paula Powers, Grants & Projects Committee Chair. “The Patriots Connection conducts an extensive outreach and evaluation process to identify organizations and programs meeting the areas of greatest need with the highest levels of effectiveness.”
Grants were awarded in four categories of support for active duty military members, veterans and their families. For more information about how to give to the most effective and efficient local military-focused nonprofits, visit the San Diego Directory, an online resource compiled by The Patriots Connection.
Basic Needs
211 San Diego – This organization is investing in technology to allow for data sharing across providers to ensure military and veteran clients are accounted for every step of the way. This is an opportunity to create a true collective impact model that follows an individual’s journey and tracks the services they are utilizing to create a better experience for military and veterans.
Camp Pendleton ASYMCA – The Fisher Children’s Center provides hourly drop-in childcare for military families who need short-term childcare for many reasons and do not have any other option.
Operation Homefront – Back To School Brigade (BTSB) provides backpacks and school supplies to 500 military children in kindergarten – 12th grade. The BTSB program helps build strong, stable and secure military families by ensuring that military children have the necessary supplies to start the school year off right.
Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) – The Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) program helps military and veteran families who are facing a financial crisis by providing the necessary financial counseling, education and emergency financial grants required to help them achieve financial self-sufficiency.
Education & Jobs
Easter Seals of Southern California – WorkFirst Military & Veterans Services provides transitioning veterans in San Diego County with 1:1 customized employment support, connections to 300+ local employers, small business development & post-employment follow-up.
Workshops for Warriors – The 16-week CNC Machinist training program is designed to prepare veterans and transitioning service members to become entry-level CNC machinists by using machining theory and extensive hands-on training.
Physical & Mental Health
Physician Advocates for Veterans (PAVE) – PAVE provides access to volunteer physician advocates who help veterans understand their diagnoses and observe treatment plans. The goal is to empower clients to guide their future medical care. After two formative years as an all-volunteer organization, this funding supports hiring an Executive Director to activate the expansion of the program.
Warrior Foundation Freedom Station – The Wheelchairs for Warriors program is specifically designed to provide amputees with lightweight, high quality wheelchairs that are custom-made specifically to provide the best fit, form and functionality for each individual, increasing the mobility, comfort, livability and safety of our warriors.
Social & Personal Connections
Wreaths Across America – Wreath-laying ceremonies at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and Miramar National Cemetery honor our veterans, remember our fallen heroes, and teach our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families.
