THE CEO'S REPORT

Hello all. 

Wishing you a happy blossoming season as our desert flora comes to life with many bright colors and pleasant fragrances. I am reminded in the Spring of how special the natural desert is. Enjoy it!

The RAP Board of Directors recently modified our Bylaws to acknowledge the City of Palm Desert’s key role in the formation of the 1992 Redevelopment Agreement with the County of Riverside. As a result, the Palm Desert City Council will henceforth have permanent representation on the Board. Councilmember Gina Nestande will serve as the city’s first official representative on the RAP Board.

Pictured Above:

Leticia De Lara

CEO of the RAP Foundation and

Fuego, the Official Mascot of the

Coachella Valley Firebirds

RAP is also welcoming Anyse Smith to the Board to reach full capacity of 21. Our board members serve as our ambassadors, communicating awareness of our resources to their communities and bringing expertise to the Board’s funding decisions.

Another action taken at the March Board meeting was to increase the approved allocation amount to our annual Small Grants budget. The RAP Board relies on smaller nonprofits to deliver services and recognizes that the increased number of applications—and, therefore, small grants--is a trend likely to continue. 

We are looking forward to the next Desert Fast Pitch, scheduled to take place October 2, 2025, from 5:30 – 8:00 PM at UCR Palm Desert.  We hope you’ll Save the Date on your calendar and plan to attend this fun and inspirational event. More details later in this newsletter.

Lastly, I want to congratulate all of this year’s Senior Inspiration Award (SIA) honorees. This annual luncheon held on March 27, 2025 was a tremendous success. We greatly appreciate the 11 amazing seniors recognized for their service to our community in meaningful ways.  RAP is proud to sponsor the event and provide $1,000 grants, in honor of Jean Benson, former RAP Board member and SIA inaugural committee member, to nonprofits chosen by each honoree. 

For now and always, enjoy life and make a difference!

Lety De Lara

Chief Executive Officer

We’re proud to share that the RAP Board of Directors recently approved funding for the following impactful grants:

• Alzheimers Coachella Valley - $10,000
• California Care Force - $5,000
• GANAS - $5,000
• Coachella Valley High School Health Academy - $6,000
• The Ranch Recovery Centers - $10,000
• CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation - $5,000
• Parenting Education Center - $5,000
• The Regents of the University of California - $10,000
• Eisenhower Medical Center - $10,000
• Autism Society Inland Empire - $5,000
• Coachella Valley Youth Golf Foundation - $10,000
• Rotary Club of Indio - $1,000

Introducing Anyse Smith

Anyse is a resident of Palm Desert. She earned her bachelor's degree in International Affairs at George Washington University, her Masters degree in International Law at Paris Sorbonne Universite(accent), and her Juris Doctorate at the California Desert Trial Academy in Indio.

Anyse is employed at Starting Over, Inc. as the staff attorney working to help clients address legal issues to improve their opportunities for housing, and employment – thereby giving them “second chances.” Previously, Anyse managed housing and homelessness programs at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments.



She is a board member with the following nonprofits: The Other Bar, Inc., Jewish Family Services of the Desert, The Riverside County Bar Association, We Are One United, Indio Mt. Zion Church, C5 Excellence, and the Riverside County Continuum of Care, Board of Governance.

“Throughout my career and personal journey, I have cultivated a unique perspective and skill set that enable me to serve those most in need,” says the compassionate and effective advocate.

“I am committed to supporting justice-impacted individuals and families,”  Anyse says. “I have worked to ensure that resources and programs are inclusive, compassionate, and trauma-informed.  I am elated to be able to contribute my unique perspective to the important work of advancing health, mental health, and social equity in our region.”

Introducing Gina Nestande

Gina Nestande was appointed by the City of Palm Desert as its representative to RAP. 

Gina Nestande was born and raised in St. Louis. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Missouri and her Master’s degree in Business at the University of San Diego. She previously served as Sacred Heart’s Development Director with responsibilities including event planning and fundraising for the school and church. 

In 2016, Gina was elected to the Palm Desert City Council and is currently serving her second 4-year term on the council.

As a Real Estate Broker with Coldwell Banker Realty and mother of five children, “I realize the importance of having a well-run City that preserves the quality of life, as well as property values. We also need economic development that will bring good jobs for our youth.” 

Gina volunteers at the following nonprofits: Rotary Club of Palm Desert, Palm Desert  Chamber of Commerce, Sacred Heart School Parent Board, and Palm Desert High School and Xavier College Prep.

“The Coachella Valley is a great place to live.” Gina shared at a recent board meeting. “I enjoy giving back to my community and serving on the RAP Board will allow me to do so in a new way.” 

Pictured Left (Left to Right): Allie Anthony, KESQ News Channel 3; Kraig Johnson, Executive Director, Jewish Family Services of the Desert. Pictured Center (Left to Right): Allie Anthony, KESQ News Channel 3; Taly Fantini, NPO Centric Director; Guillermo Becerra, Vice President, First Bank. Pictured Right (Left to Right): Allie Anthony, KESQ News Channel 3;

Sherman Tam, Executive Director, 29-PSP; Taly Fantini, Director, NPO Centric.

This year CV Giving Day raised $826,941 for nonprofit organizations in the Coachella Valley. 136 nonprofits raised funds during the 24-hour fundraising challenge. The RAP Foundation and NPO Centric partnered with CV Giving Day once again, providing $50,000 in prizes.

"Today is about our community coming together, our shared commitment to Coachella Valley nonprofits, and goodwill through giving," emphasized Taly Fantini, Director of NPO Centric.

NPO Centric and the RAP Foundation hosted Media Day on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, spotlighting the incredible impact of participating organizations! NPO Centric Director Taly Fantini joined KESQ News Channel 3's Allie Anthony and FirstBank's Guillermo Becerra for an energizing morning news segment. Other notable guests included Kraig Johnson (Jewish Family Services of the Desert) and Sherman Tam (29-PSP), who shared powerful examples of how CV Giving Day fundraising directly transforms the communities they serve. Their testimonials brought to life the essential work happening across our valley and the remarkable difference every donation makes!

This year’s RAP Foundation/NPO Centric CV Giving Day random prize winners are:

• 29-PSP
• Big Stistteerrrs
• The Bridges 2 Hope
• California Desert Chorale
• Danza Azteca Citlatonac
• Desert Arc
• Jewish Family Service of the Desert
• Old Town Artisan Studios
• We Can Fish
• Word of Life/Bridge to Better

Congratulations to all who participated! Your efforts bring much-needed resources to our valley and those in need in our community.

The 33rd Annual Senior Inspiration Luncheon was hosted by Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and the nine cities of the Coachella Valley. A total of eleven seniors--nine from each Valley city and two at-large from the remaining county area--who continue to serve the community and inspire others to volunteer their time were honored. The honorees expressed their reasons for volunteering, the joy of remaining socially active, and the satisfaction of giving back to others. 

Each honoree has chosen a deserving nonprofit for a $1,000 grant reward from RAP. It was especially rewarding to hear the nonprofits called out for the honors and to learn the reason each was selected by the honoree.  

RAP is pleased to support this event and honor the contributions of all seniors, especially this year's award winners, for being an inspiration in their positive attitude towards community service. Below is a list of the winners, along with their chosen nonprofits in the order pictured above from left to right:

• Ilene Heller: City of Indian Wells: The McCallum Theaters Education Department
• JR Roberts: City of Palm Springs: DAP Health
• Gladys Vargas: City of Indio: Volunteers in Medicine
• Mario Sewell: City of La Quinta: SafeHouse
• Sally Hedberg: City of Desert Hot Springs: Friends of the Desert Libraries
• Gabriel Hernandez: City of Coachella: Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley
• Maria Alcala: County Honoree from Blythe: Foundation on Aging
• David MacFarlane: City of Palm Desert: Hanson House Foundation
• Antonio Baciu: Cathedral City: Dinner with Patsi
• Linda Blair: County Honoree from Bermuda Dunes: Friends of the Desert Mountains
• Murray Bryant: City of Rancho Mirage: Coachella Valley Rescue Mission

The Inland Empire Community Foundation hosted the Women’s Giving Fund Spring Fling in Chino on March 23, 2025. In attendance were women throughout the Inland Empire coming together to support organizations offering education, training, health, and financial stability in our two-county region. 

In addition to raising funds to distribute to nonprofits, the event served as an opportunity to recognize 80 women throughout the Inland Empire for their contributions in supporting worthy causes.

The Regional Access Project Foundation is proud to host the 11th Annual Desert Fast Pitch, taking place on October 2, 2025, at the UC Riverside Palm Desert Campus. This high-impact event provides a platform for local nonprofits to amplify their missions, build their fundraising and communication skills, and compete for over $65,000 in cash grants—including individual awards of up to $20,000.

Participants will complete six weeks of intensive training in preparation, gaining skills in fundraising strategy, donor communications, marketing, and leadership development. These tools strengthen organizations long beyond the final pitch.

We’re proud to announce that this year’s program will feature a keynote address by Elizabeth Smart, a nationally recognized child safety advocate and bestselling author. Her powerful message of resilience and hope highlights the critical importance of community-driven efforts that make a lasting impact.

The RAP Foundation issued a Mental Health RFP for the Palo Verde Valley, providing $550,000 over a two-year period to support community-based mental health initiatives.

This funding opportunity was developed in response to unmet needs identified in the 2024 Palo Verde Community Survey conducted by HARC. The grant is intended to support programs and projects that improve the psychological, emotional, physical, and social well-being of residents in the Palo Verde Valley.

The funding priorities include:

• Improve awareness and quality of mental health services to remote areas through innovative systems that address access and delivery channels.

• Support culturally competent services and the reduction of language stigma (providing services to people in their native language) and cultural barriers to service access for clients. 

This targeted investment reflects the RAP Foundation’s ongoing commitment to improving mental health outcomes across underserved regions of eastern Riverside County.

On March 22nd, the CalFresh Healthy Living (CFHL) program took part in Valley View Elementary’s Beautification Day, an annual opportunity for faculty and volunteers to beautify and renew some of their favorite parts of the school. The program team helped paint fun playground stencils to encourage kids to be more active during playtime. 

Beyond the outreach and nutrition education the CFHL program offers, this event is just one more way we are working to promote healthy choices in the community. By making the playground more fun and interactive, we provide students with additional opportunities to be physically active. We are proud to support events like Beautification Day, which help kids stay active and build healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

As you may know, RAP makes space available for nonprofits at below-market rates. Nonprofits have the opportunity to lease offices or cubicles and have the added bonus of being located in the same building as other nonprofits. 

If you and your organization find this an attractive possibility—and why not?—contact Mireya Reyes by email at mreyes@rapfoundation.org.