You may have seen recent news stories that shed light on organizations that are claiming to help veterans but in practice, some are just lining their own pockets. Unfortunately, these sham organizations are experts at fooling donors into thinking that their work is a worthwhile investment. Usually it isn’t until much later that the truth […]

Community Foundation’s Role in Disaster Relief There have been a lot of disasters in recent months that have plagued communities across the US. While the devastation has been vast, the outpouring of help has inspired us and truly shows the good caring nature of our donors and people around the country. In the last three […]

We all know the power of a dollar-for-dollar match. Not only does it highlight the support the match donor(s) has for a program, it also demonstrates the community’s support of the project. Thanks to a group of generous supporters, we have the opportunity to match all donations made through Sept. 15 to The Patriots Connection […]

Here at RSF Foundation, we believe working together with dedicated philanthropists is the number one way to increase your impact and power of your donation. A successful example of a collaborative giving model is the RSF Women’s Fund. Since it began in 2003, the Women’s Fund at the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation has made a […]

Based on critical factors, like the current economy and stock market, it may be the ideal time to contribute to a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). Here’s why: creating a DAF provides an easy, low cost opportunity to be more intentional in helping the causes they care about, while also taking advantage of charitable tax deductions. […]

As a donor, the behind the scene activity at a nonprofit might feel mysterious. Here is the great news: It doesn’t have to be that way! It’s why we are going to share a few things that nonprofits wish their donors knew – and donors will be happy to hear, as well. Nonprofits are Passionate […]

To get funding for a nonprofit program, the process typically starts with a great LOI (Letter of Intent). As a community foundation that has reviewed many of these, we understand what that takes. Here are simple strategies to help get your LOI noticed. Do research before writing an LOI. The most important step is to […]

For many of us, discussing money can feel uncomfortable – especially with kids or grandkids. This can lead to unexpected and unfortunate results. For example, according to this TIME article, 70% of wealthy families lose their wealth by the second generation. Then, by the third generation, 90% of wealthy families lose that wealth. That is […]

It can feel challenging to select the right nonprofit to support; this is a common phenomenon. You want to help a cause you care about, while also making sure you’re working with an organization that’s making a true, significant impact. That’s why we are sharing 6 things donors should look for in a nonprofit, so […]