RAP Quarterly - July 2021 Newsletter Vol. 31
Hello everyone!
 
Summer is here (in case you haven't noticed the somewhat toastier temperatures) and RAP staff is back in the office, like many other organizations.  We are cautiously optimistic that conditions will continue to improve; as we have done from the onset, RAP will continue to comply with all State and Local guidelines.  We are allowing the use of our meeting rooms and planning future networking events and also our 2021 Desert Fast Pitch--more to follow on this exciting news.  
Here is some RAP news I would like to share with you:  

RECENT GRANTS 

The RAP Board allocated the following grants to these organizations recently: 

  • Coachella Valley Foster Kids 
  • Desert Recreation District’s Summer Scene program 
  • Coachella Valley Historical Society 
  • Association of Fundraising Professional’s National Philanthropy Day 
  • Neuro Vitality Center’s Virtual Services for Good Health 
  • Shay’s Warriors 
  • Desert Ridge Academy’s Parent Teacher Organization 
  • Colorado River Senior Center’s Food & Health Assistance Program 

For the 4th year, we are proud to have partnered with The James Irvine Foundation to re-grant funds to support the “Know Your Rights” work being done by the following organizations: 

  • Consejo de Federaciones Mexicanas’ Empowering Immigrants in the eastern Coachella Valley 
  • Inland Congregations United for Change – Coachella Valley Immigrant Rights Project 
  • Inland Equity Community Land Trust-Inland Equity Community Partnership Rapid Response Line and Mental Health Therapy Referral Program 
  • The Carolyn E. Wylie Center for Children, Youth and Families’ Legal Services for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Program 
 
Desert Legal Foundation Funding Opportunity 

In a previous edition, I mentioned that the Desert Legal Foundation was created to provide funding to nonprofits in the Coachella Valley in order to pay for legal fees that they would otherwise not be able to afford. Funding is still available.

Several nonprofits have applied for and received funding to help cover legal fees in order to strengthen their governance and provide a greater opportunity for future successes by their organizations.  
 
Contact Stephanie Minor at:  [email protected] if you have any questions about this funding. 

Welcome to Newest RAP Team Members 

I am pleased to introduce two new Team Members to RAP, Graciela Montaño and Ana Montaño.  It is a notable coincidence that both ladies have the same last name, but they are not related! 

"Gracie" is our new Community Services Manager and will be taking over the administration of The James Irvine Foundation’s Immigrant Rights grant.  Whereas Ana is our Administrative Assistant and will be supporting our Grants Director.   

Desert Fast Pitch 2021 

RAP’s signature Desert Fast Pitch event was a casualty of COVID 19 and hasn’t been held since November 2019.  We are excited to announce that we will be once again presenting this highly successful event at the beginning of December 2021.

As you all know, the Desert Fast Pitch is an opportunity for nonprofits serving residents in eastern Riverside County to compete for cash grants; $10,000 for Audience Choice, $15,000 for Most Innovative, and $20,000 for Top Prize (according to judges) by delivering a compelling 3 Minute Pitch to the judges in front of a live audience. In addition to the cash grants, all participants will receive capacity-building services, including coaching and free admittance to activities presented by RAP.   

More details about the process and how to apply will be forthcoming very soon, so stay connected!  

Be safe, take care; wishing you all good health. 
Lety De Lara, CEO
Summer Cool Centers for Riverside County’s Desert Region
By V. Manuel Perez, Riverside County Supervisor, and RAP Foundation Board Member

Through partnerships with community centers, senior centers, and non-profits, Riverside County offers cool centers throughout our communities that ensure that those who live here in the hottest area of Riverside County don’t have to suffer and risk the dangers of extreme heat.

Since 2001, the cool center program has been coordinated by the Community Action Partnership of Riverside County, a county agency assisting low-income families in Riverside County. This program is a comprehensive strategy designed to reduce the heat-related risks from extreme temperatures, especially among vulnerable low-income residents, such as the elderly, disabled, and families with infants and young children living in disadvantaged communities.

Cool centers are a life-saving option for our residents. They provide relief from excessive heat when access to adequate cooling is not available. They also help reduce the financial burden of extremely high energy bills.
This summer, there are 15 cool center locations open in eastern Riverside County. Thank you to our cool center partners, without whom, this program wouldn’t be successful.

Click the button below to find the cool center locations open in the Coachella Valley, Desert Center, and Blythe area. Hours of operation are subject to change.
Introducing Graciela Montaño
Graciela recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University, San Marcos. Prior to joining the RAP team, "Gracie" worked as a Residential Peer Mentor for CSUSM’s On-Campus Housing assisting over 200 college students on their path towards academic success, collaborating with academic resources and organizing workshops. 
 Gracie grew up in Coachella with her family and dedicates her time to volunteering at food distributions. She is passionate about advocating for Immigrant Rights, mental health, and gender equity.   
Introducing Ana Montaño
Ana serves as the Administrative Assistant and assists with the Grants and Accounting functions. 

Ana has an A.S. in Business Administration and has worked in the past with the Trident Society and Angel View, Inc.  Ana has been a resident of the Coachella Valley for the past 24 years and resides in Desert Hot Springs with her husband Everardo and their dog Pumba. 
RAP Office Available For Lease
As you may know, RAP makes space available for nonprofits and below-market rates. Currently, 25 organizations are taking advantage of not only these low rental opportunities but also the ability to be located in the same building as others. This has led to a great deal of collaboration amongst these nonprofits. This, in turn, leads to better services for resident clients and more efficient delivery of those services.

Good news: RAP currently has space for one more organization. If you and your organization find this an attractive possibility—and why not?—contact Mireya Reyes by email at [email protected].
Grants Corner 
By Nora Duffy, Grants Director
I joined RAP almost a year ago after deciding that I much preferred living in the Coachella Valley to Seattle. I love the desert community and am so glad to have made the decision to join RAP. 

As the new Grants Director, I am working to improve the experience for applicants and grantees. I am familiarizing myself with Foundant, our grants management system to make sure it is efficient and user-friendly.  I welcome your feedback ([email protected]) on what you think about it as we go through this improvement process.

Also, the RAP Team has been working to implement a Results-Based Accountability framework that utilizes data to formulate funding decisions. We will soon be introducing a tool to make it easier for applicants to report their data. Furthermore, the data will be displayed on a “Score Card” on our website to demonstrate the impact of our funding on the community.   

The investment in technology and decision-making methods allow us to increase our efforts to be accountable, transparent, and effective with our grants.
NPO Centric Corner
By Stephanie Minor, NPO Centric Director
ANNOUNCEMENT: We Are Rebranding!
It's official! The Center For Nonprofit Advancement is now NPO Centric. (NPO stands for Nonprofit Organization.)

Today we are excited to introduce you to NPO Centric's new visual identity designed to better embody the spirit of our program and community where nonprofit superstars like you are at the center of all that we do.

Our mission is to empower nonprofit organizations to do their best work. At NPO Centric, we help you focus your efforts to further your mission, accelerate your growth, and help you find your new path forward!

Please take a few minutes to check out our new website. Email me at [email protected] with any questions or comments.
Accessing Funding Information NPO Centric
RAP’s NPO Centric is a Funding Information Network partner of Candid. NPO Centric provides free access to the most comprehensive information available on foundation and corporate giving as a training partner. It features electronic resources, local trainings, and professional staff to assist visitors. Contact [email protected]
with any questions. 
 
How to access Candid tools at RAP
 
Foundation Directory Essential is available for remote access throughout 2021 through our website using the temporary access code you have been provided.  Once on the site, you will be asked to create an account and sign up for a day pass. The day pass allows you to use Foundation Directory Essential remotely in a 24-hour window. A clock at the top of the screen will tell you how much time remains on the pass. After 24 hours, the clock will show the next date on which you can activate a new pass (every 30 days). 
 
WWW.RAPFOUNDATION.ORG