Spring is here, and thanks to the abundance of rain this year (more than one day qualifies as excessive in the desert) we have wildflowers blossoming everywhere. Annual events are in full “bloom” offering great fun along with providing support for great causes.
RAP recently hosted our Annual Spring Social on April 13. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this fun event featuring free entertainment, free giveaways valued at over $6500, free headshots, and of course, free food and drinks.
CV Giving Day on March 1st was a bigger success than we anticipated. RAP joined forces with FirstBank and the Desert Community Foundation to help 170 Coachella Valley nonprofits increase their revenue by reaching previous and new donors. Over $370,000 was raised, and five organizations were selected for the $5,000 grants provided by RAP: Big Hearts, Boo to Bullying, Olive Crest, Bridges to Hope, and We Are One United.
6th Annual Mental Health Summit
RAP will once again partner with Supervisor V. Manuel Perez to host the Mental Health Summit in Blythe on May 15 from 10 AM-2 PM. The Summit will include a panel discussion consisting of County and local experts providing behavioral health in the Palo Verde Valley.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors will be considering three Agreements to make funding available to nonprofits that suffered negative financial impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Riverside County Nonprofit Assistance Fund (RCNAF) of $14.5M will be allocated to three funding organizations in early May and making funding available soon thereafter since the grant period will end in June 2024.
- Inland SoCal United Way 211+ to provide direct financial support funding to organizations negatively impacted
- Inland Empire Community Foundation to provide programmatic funding to organizations providing services in specific key areas identified
- Regional Access Project Foundation to provide technical support and assistance to grant recipients for both of the funding categories listed above
RAP’s NPO Centric will develop relationships with organizations throughout Riverside County, allowing us to build the network by offering our capacity-building services to many more nonprofits. NPO Centric will focus on providing resources in Strategic Planning, Grant Writing, Improving Financial Controls, and Fund Development. Stay tuned for notices on how to apply for each of the three grant opportunities.
Recent Grants
Here’s some RAP news of grants awarded to organizations since our last newsletter:
Small Grants
- Friends of the Braille Institute – Low Vision Program $10,000
- Beacon Foundation – SMART Recovery Training and Meetings $4,956
- CV Community Research Initiative, dba HIV+Aging – Research Project $10,000
- Escuela De La Raza Unida – Ballet Folklorico Colores De Aztlan $10,000
- PS Test Inc. – Relocation Project $10,000
- NAMI Coachella Valley- Mental Health for All $7,570
Sponsorship Grants
- Reynaldo J. Carreon MD Foundation – Scholarship Awards Banquet $5,000
- Peacemaker Corps Association – Peace in the Streets $5,000
- Rotary Club of Indio for Math Field Day – Middle School Children $1,000
Pictured Left to right: District 5330 Governor Don Casper, Rotarian Martha Mendez, RAP board member Sheryl Benoit, Lety De Lara, and Indio Rotarian President Chris Schultz
