LOCAL ORGANIZATION
Chula Vista Charitable Foundation
LEFT TO RIGHT: RICK RICHARDSON, LISA MOCTEZUMA, MICHAEL DE LA ROSA, DEBBIE ESPE, GLEN GOOGINS, ZANETA ENCARNACION, MORA DE MURGUIA AND SUSANA VILLEGAS
By Susana Villegas For many non-profits in Chula Vista, the new year ushers in a new time of charitable giving by the Chula Vista Charitable Foundation (CVCF). CVCF is one of nine, local, affiliate foundations established through the San Diego Foundation to promote philanthropy and civic engagement led by local community leaders. With over 100 members, the all-volunteer CVCF raises funds from individuals, local businesses, and corporations that have one thing in common–they all want to give back to Chula Vista. CVCF is currently accepting proposals for its seventh annual grant cycle through 5:00 p.m. on January 9, 2017. In 2016, CVCF gave a total of $44,945 to three nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping foster children, preventing domestic abuse, and fighting childhood hunger. CVCF was proud to support the Brighter Futures for Foster Children program at Voices for Children, the Domestic Violence Prevention Workshops with Amigas Punto Com, and the Feeding Kids Initiative of Feeding America San Diego. These grants built on prior years of support for the Chula Vista Public Library, San Diego Audubon, the Living Coast Discovery Center, St. Rose of Lima (food outreach program), and WeSupportU.
26 O U R HOMETOWN • J ANUAR Y 2 0 17
“As Chula Vista’s communities continue to grow, we cannot forget the important role of non-profits in making our communities stronger by helping those in Chula Vista that need help,” said Debbie Espe, new CVCF Board Chair. “We thank the donors and members of CVCF who believe in supporting the work of the non-profit community, and we welcome new members to CVCF to support our non-profits. Contributions to CVCF of all sizes, by those who give to charity regularly and by those that are new to charitable giving, are welcomed.” This year, CVCF invites non-profit organizations and agencies to submit proposals in the range of $5,000 to $50,000 that support the educational development and physical and mental well-being of youth in Chula Vista. Those proposals can be in any number of areas, including early education, healthcare, recreation, the arts, and food security. Application and grant guidelines are available online at www.sdfoundation.org/ programs/regional-affiliates/chula-vista/. For more information about CVCF, visit www.facebook. com/ChulaVistaCF.