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Hello all,
The Summer Season is underway, not that you need me to tell you. As things heat up, keep your cool in managing the daily challenges we all face.
Recently, the RAP Board reaffirmed that “Helping People Remains Our Focus… We work collaboratively with partners, including public and nonprofit entities, providing services to residents, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, socio-economic status, age, disability, or political affiliation, to seek solutions to the inequity of resources available to our residents.“
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Leticia De Lara, RAP CEO
Equity in Access Legacy honoree at the
First 5 Riverside 25th Anniversary
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RAP’s efforts to better serve our nonprofits have led to expanding our NPO Centric program beyond eastern Riverside County. As you may recall, RAP administered the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant in 2023-2024 and offered technical assistance to nonprofits to increase nonprofit financial sustainability. RAP served 637 unduplicated nonprofits throughout Riverside County in four key areas: Financial Controls, Fund Development, Grant Writing, and Strategic Planning. The positive impact has been demonstrated. Therefore, RAP is pleased to be receiving funding from all five Riverside County Supervisors to continue to offer capacity building services in each of their Districts through our NPO Centric Program for two more years.
Of course, RAP continues to provide grants to address the gaps in Health, Mental Health, and Juvenile Intervention in eastern Riverside County. Speaking of which, RAP board members and staff recently celebrated the success of one of our funded projects in Blythe. In partnership with Vision to Learn, local Rotary Clubs, the Palo Verde School District, and the Riverside County Office of Education, approximately 2,600-2,800 eye exams were completed for elementary students in Blythe. We gratefully thank the Rotarians for volunteering their time to coordinate and carrying out the 3-day operation.
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Lastly, I want to congratulate First 5 Riverside on their 25th Anniversary celebration held June 18, 2025. I had the opportunity to serve as a Commissioner when I first started at RAP. First 5 Riverside continues to invest in the development of young children for a lifetime of good health. Our community is better off because of this investment.
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For now and always, enjoy life and make a difference!
Lety De Lara
Chief Executive Officer
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Desert Fast Pitch 2025 - Application Now Open!
By Stephanie Minor, Director of Development
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Ready to elevate your nonprofit’s impact? Desert Fast Pitch 2025 offers nonprofit leaders who provide services in Riverside County’s District Four the chance to sharpen their skills, expand their networks, and compete for significant funding.
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Twelve nonprofits will be selected for a free, in-person training series covering storytelling, fundraising, marketing, and leadership, culminating in a high-energy pitch competition. Each participating nonprofit earns a $1,000 grant upon completing all training sessions, with additional cash prizes from $1,000 up to $20,000 for top performers.
Key Dates:
- August 14 – Orientation
- August 21 – Storytelling Workshop
- August 28 – Written Appeal Development
- September 4 – Fundraising Plan
- September 11 – Marketing Plan
- September 18 – Leadership Plan
- September 25 – Semifinal Competition
- September 29 – Final Practice at UCR
- October 2 – Desert Fast Pitch Final Competition at UCR
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All sessions will be held in person at RAP Foundation offices from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM unless otherwise noted.
Eligibility: Open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving District Four. An NPO Centric membership is required. We’ll help you get pitch-ready!
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Don’t miss this opportunity to secure funding and raise your nonprofit’s profile. Apply by July 20, 2025.
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Certificate in Nonprofit Management Celebration
by Taly Fantini, NPO Centric Director
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RAP’s NPO Centric program and UCR Extension celebrated 19 professionals who completed the UCR Professional Certificate in Nonprofit Management program on June 20 at the UCR Palm Desert Campus.
The ceremony included distinguished local leaders to honor these dedicated professionals who are strengthening the nonprofit sector throughout eastern Riverside County. Attending dignitaries included V. Manuel Perez, Supervisor for Riverside County's Fourth District and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors; Palm Desert Mayor Jan Harnik; Desert Hot Springs Mayor Pro Tem Jan Pye; Jose Esparza, Field Representative for California State Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez; and Mark Meyer from the College of the Desert Board of Trustees.
This latest cohort represents a significant investment in building nonprofit leadership capacity, equipping these professionals with essential skills to better serve their communities and advance their organizations' missions.
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The ceremony highlights were testimonials from Cindy Burreson and Angelina Coe, who shared powerful stories of personal growth and professional transformation. Both Angelina and Cindy spoke passionately about how the certificate program equipped them with practical skills in strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational leadership while deepening their understanding of nonprofit governance and community engagement.
Over the 35-week course, graduates engaged with expert instructors, real-world case studies, and collaborative projects aimed at driving social impact and community transformation. This intensive program, designed for emerging and current leaders in the nonprofit field, equips participants with essential skills in strategic planning, financial management, fundraising, board governance, and organizational leadership.
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Pictured above:
Supervisor V. Manuel Perez
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“We Can Fish, Inc. is a stronger organization, and we can serve more children as a result of the lessons learned through the coursework,” said Carla Rizya, Founder and CEO, We Can Fish Inc., and program participant. “I am a more confident leader as a result of this course. It's an excellent program for someone who is just starting in the nonprofit world or for someone who has been in it for years because there is knowledge to be gained from all the minds in the classroom.”
NPO Centric reinstated this program after a five-year gap. The RAP Foundation provides scholarships in the amount of $2,875 to qualified applicants of the program. Applications are now open for the 2025-26 academic year. Click HERE to find out more.
2025 Students and Affiliated Organizations:
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Angelina Coe, Shelter From The Storm, Inc.
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Calista Vassios, Girlfriend Factor
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Cindy Burreson, Children's Discovery Museum of The Desert
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Danelle Alaniz, Blythe Chamber of Commerce
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Daniel Belew, Rescue + Residence
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Denise Rodriguez-Bowman, Barbara Sinatra Children's Center
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Emily Cheley, Tools For Tomorrow
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Ianai Molina, COFEM
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J. Reyes Lopez-Rodriguez, Inland Congregations United for Change
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Jenny Lopez, WomenAddValue Inc.
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John Tubera, The Church of St. Paul In The Desert
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Rebecca Rizzo, United Cerebral Palsy
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Will Rogers, SoCal Adaptive Sports
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Bryan Stephens, Other People's Kids
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Jessica Martinez, COFEM
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Sandra Ramirez, Coachella Valley Parents
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Talon Burgess, Support Your Inc.
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Gabriela Armenta, Danza Azteca Citlaltonac
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Carla Rizya, We Can Fish
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Coachella Valley Healthy Living
by Ashley Huesca and John Frank
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Coachella Valley Healthy Living (CVHL) finished the school year with a nutrition and physical activity class series for elementary school students in collaboration with the CVUSD ASES program. Students learned about general nutrition, healthy choices, and ways to stay active in and out of school. The program was positively received and will resume during the next school year.
During the summer, CVHL will be installing raised vegetable beds at the Mecca Boys and Girls Club in preparation for gardening classes in the fall. Children will grow flowers and vegetables as they participate in classes on plant, soil, and insect sciences.
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Tobacco Control Program
The fiscal year ended with a positive meeting with Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, where youth from Coachella Valley High School’s Health Academy and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) shared their concerns about tobacco use and the need for clean, healthy air in their community. Supervisor Perez showed strong support for youth advocacy and public health efforts.
If you have any questions about the CVHL Project, please don’t hesitate to contact us at ahuesca@rapfoundation.org or jfrank@rapfoundation.org.
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Grants Corner
by Melissa Robles, Grants Manager
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Olive Crest - Juvenile Intervention Awardee
Olive Crest was awarded $35,000 for its Enhanced Intervention Support for Transitional-Aged Foster Youth (18-21) Program as part of the RAP Juvenile Intervention Grant.
Olive Crest shared one of their recent participant’s experience with the program. “Emily’s story is a powerful example of perseverance and purpose. A young woman known for her determination, resilience, and sense of responsibility, Emily has overcome significant challenges with limited family support, building a strong support system that includes her dedicated team at Olive Crest.
Recently, Emily completed her medical assistant certification and embraced a new level of independence after participating in three donated driving lessons. At Olive Crest's “Opportunity Day” event at the Child and Family Resource Center, she secured a meaningful position working with children who have developmental delays, a role that deeply resonates with her personal experiences.
Her story is a shining example of how a person with determination, a positive outlook, and a strong community of support can lead to remarkable achievements.
Olive Crest is dedicated to preventing child abuse by strengthening, equipping, and restoring children and families in crisis…One Life at a Time.
DO THE RIGHT THING, Small Grants Awardee
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DO THE RIGHT THING (DTRT) received a RAP grant recently. It is a nonprofit dedicated to recognizing and rewarding school-age youths for positive accomplishments, behavior, and good deeds.
This program ensures that young people are not only rewarded for “doing the right thing,” but also publicly recognized as role models for their peers.
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Recently, the nonprofit was selected as the 2025 California Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 47. Additionally, DTRT was also honored by the Riverside County Juvenile Justice Department as the 2024 Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program of the Year.
Congratulations! Thank you for the positive impact on our community.
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