Grants
Our Grants
It is our honor to help our fellow San Diegans through our grant program. Below are some of our grant recipients throughout the years. To protect their privacy, first and last names may not be displayed.
To request a grant, click the “Request a Grant” button.
Rob Benzon Memorial Scholarship
Rob Benzon Memorial Scholarship
The Rob Benzon Foundation awarded two scholarships at the annual Launching Leaders PFLAG Scholarship Awards to two LGBTQ students pursuing higher education. The Rob Benzon Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ramon Aquino and Levin Guerra.
Grant made in March 2019
Robin P.
Robin P.
A senior and member of the LGBT community, she had been been bedridden with multiple serious health conditions, and at great risk to developing a UTI because her health insurance denied her the correct type of antibiotic treated catheter she needed. Because of the financial burden connected with her past and current health issues of multiple sclerosis, Robin’s family found itself unable to afford the expenses associated with purchasing the catherters. The Foundation stepped in to help by paying for the much needed catheters with a one year supply though a grant in 2018 and again in 2019.
Grant made in March 2018 & March 2019
Mama’s Kitchen
Mama’s Kitchen
The Foundation once again awarded a grant to Mama’s Kitchen to support their Home Delivered Meal Service program, a home-delivered meal service that provides meals to individuals in San Diego County affected by AIDS or cancer. The meal program delivery package contains 6 meals (a warm dinner for Monday, breakfast/lunch/dinner for Tuesday, and breakfast/lunch for Wednesday). On an average delivery day, there are typically 320 individuals who receive these meals daily through this program.
Grant was made in March 2019.
Special Delivery
Special Delivery
Rob Benzon Foundation again answered the call to improve the nutritional status and quality of life of members of the LGBT community living with life-threatening illnesses in San Diego through the provision of medically-appropriate meals. This grant was targeted specifically for funding for the food pantry at Special Delivery San Diego, which purchased groceries providing 3 meals per day for materially-poor clients with AIDS, heart disease, cancer, kidney disease and other life-threatening illnesses for at least two weeks.
Grant was made in February 2019
Camp Erin
Camp Erin
The Foundation was able to support Camp Erin in partnership with the Center for Compassionate Care of the Elizabeth Hospice and part of network of free bereavement camps for children and teens ages 6 to 17 years of age who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Camp Erin’s counselors run specially designed activities to assist these children with the bereavement process and this grant provided funds for camper backpacks and for the kids attending the camp. A second grant was also approved to supply all of the kids and volunteers attending the camp with much needed event-themed T-shirts.
Grants were made in February 2019.
Billy D.
Billy D.
The Foundation paid for the funeral expenses for a decorated Vietnam Veteran who passed away suddenly from cancer and his family could not afford the cost of his funeral arrangements.
Grant made February 2019
Margarito P.
Margarito P.
The Foundation assisted Margarito who was being treated for breast cancer by paying her rent while she received treatment.
Grant made in February 2019.
The Annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Day Dinner
The Annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Day Dinner
The Rob Benzon Foundation once again supported the annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Day Dinner. The grant provided funds to assist organizers with the cost of the food needed to feed the underprivileged and homeless members of the LGBTQ community. The event is held annually at the San Diego LGBTQ Community Center on Thanksgiving Day.
Grant made in November 2018.
Crystal C.
Crystal C.
The Foundation assisted Crystal who was being treated for a rare bone cancer called Chordoma. Her treatments, which involved many lengthy hospital stays and much time off from work, caused her to miss months of work causing much financial distress. We paid her rent while she received treatment allowing her the time to heal with out the fear of becoming homeless.
Grant made in October 2018.
Eddie R.
Eddie R.
After a lengthy hospitalization due to being struck down by a hit and run accident while riding his bike, the Foundation assisted Eddie with his past due rent allowing him to avoid possible eviction from his home.
Grant made in September 2018.