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Hi everyone!
Hope you are all doing well and off to a good start in 2024.
The RAP Board has been busy making things happen. One noteworthy activity is their decision to increase funding for the Juvenile Intervention Grant released in December. This increased funding was very timely, because we received many Letters of Intent, and 13 organizations were invited to submit an application. RAP looks forward to success on these applications. The Board is also working on other changes to improve the process for our grantees; we welcome your ideas. If you have had some experience dealing with our grants process that you would like to share, please contact me.
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Pictured above: [Standing, left to right] Sabrina Gonzalez (CRIISC Executive Director), Q'Vinc Asberry (CRIISC Treasurer), Rose Mayes (CRIISC Co-Founder and Co-Visionary), Damien O'Farrell (CRIISC Board Member), Jane Carney (CRIISC Board Member), Luz Gallegos (CRIISC Board Member), Ken Gutierrez (CRIISC President), and Chani Beeman (CRIISC Board Member)
[Seated, left to right] Maria Meyer (RAP Board Member), Lety De Lara (RAP CEO), and Bea Gonzalez (RAP Board Member)
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The RAP Board recently approved a sponsorship of an exhibit titled "Working Coachella: Images of the farmworker community of the Coachella Valley Photographs by David Bacon." The opening took place on January 11th in Riverside. The exhibit featured 52 images and showcased the story behind each one. We are pleased with the announcement that the exhibit will be traveling to the City of Coachella this spring. It will be worth your time to visit and experience the compelling stories captured in the photographs.
The Annual Board meeting was held in January and the biannual rotation of officers took place. I have enjoyed working with Jan Pye the last two years of her service as Board Chair. She has represented RAP in the most favorable light and always made herself available to help the RAP team and overall community.
The incoming Board officers are Chair Mike Gialdini, Vice-Chair Aurora Wilson, Treasurer Matt Gonda and Secretary Maria Meyer.
We are looking forward to continuing the momentum of “lots going on” this year and hope you will join us on this journey.
For now and always, enjoy life and take care,
Lety De Lara
Chief Executive Officer
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WELCOMING OUR NEW BOARD CHAIR
Mike Gialdini began serving on the RAP Board of Directors in January 2017. Mike, who retired in 2015, currently lives in Rancho Mirage. His most recent position was as the Legislative Assistant responsible for Planning and Development for the Fourth District County Supervisors Roy Wilson and John J. Benoit from 2007-2015.
Prior to his employment with the County, Mike worked in the Marketing Division at Chrysler Corporation and GIK Consumer and Product Research.
Mike decided to join the RAP Board because he saw gaps in services that the
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County did not provide, and he felt RAP was effective in providing resources to nonprofits to help them address those gaps. But before he even began service on the board, he volunteered to help RAP search for and purchase the 24,000 square foot building that RAP and 25 client nonprofits now occupy. He currently serves on the following committees: Executive and Grants, and serves as Chair of Facilities.
“I look forward to continuing the great efforts of the RAP Foundation and NPO Centric to help fill the gaps in much-needed services from Palm Springs to Blythe,” said Gialdini, quipping that “Lety was my boss during our work for the Supervisors and since turnaround is fair play . . . I am now her boss.”
Mike has served as the RAP Board Secretary and Vice-Chair. Besides volunteering to serve on the Board, he was the founder of the Emergency Preparedness Team at Del Webb Rancho Mirage, he enjoys biking and is addicted to pickleball very fond of pickleball.
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INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBER,
KENNY RODGERS
OK, let’s get this out of the way first: he won’t be telling his fellow Board members that “you’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em.”
Not being a famous country crooner, this Kenny Rodgers has focused on public housing and finance. In fact, among his many endeavors, Kenny has served as Deputy Market Director with the Low Income Investment Fund. In collaboration with Lift to Rise, local municipalities and developers of affordable housing, he served as a loan originator, relationship manager and fund resource specialist.
Kenny earned his B.A. in Psychology and he also holds an MBA. He serves on the Board of California Coalition of Rural Housing and a Housing CAN member for Lift to Rise.
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“The impact of the RAP Foundation does not go unnoticed, but the moment I wanted to be a part of the work was at the Fast Pitch Finals,” said Rodgers. “I had never seen so many superior organizations talking about their work in such comprehensive but brief ways. It was exhilarating listening to RAP staff after the presentations. I wanted to support this and the many other initiatives that RAP offers our community.” | |
RAP RECOGNIZED BY LIFT TO RISE | |
Pictured above: Board members Matt Gonda, Ann Dew, Maria Meyer, and Jan Pye accept the Community Investment Award on stage on behalf of the Regional Access Project Foundation. | |
Thank you to Lift To Rise (LTR) for selecting RAP for the inaugural Community Investment Award on October 16, 2023. Over 250 people attended the event hosted at the Living Desert.
We greatly appreciate LTR’s efforts to ensure that “When The Sun Rises, It Rises For Everyone” by working to address the affordable housing need.
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Updates From COACHELLA VALLEY
HEALTHY LIVING PROJECT
By Diane Morales, Project Manager
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SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS GARDEN AT WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY
We've been hard at work collaborating with Westside Elementary and the Coachella Valley Unified School District to create something truly special—a Social and Emotional Wellness Garden for the students at Westside Elementary. This garden will be a space for nutrition education, outdoor learning, and fostering social and emotional well-being.
Here's a snapshot of what we envision for the space:
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Our goal for the new year is to raise funds to turn this vision into reality. Our dedicated team has been working tirelessly since the summer, and we’re on the lookout for partners who share our passion. If you’d like to contribute to the construction costs or get more information about how you can be a part of this transformative project, please contact Diane Morales. | |
STENCIL PROJECT AT PETER PENDLETON ELEMENTARY
The Coachella Valley Healthy Living Project has joined forces with Peter Pendleton Elementary School for an exciting Stencil Project. This initiative aims to increase physical activity by introducing new playground games, educational stencils, and giving the existing games a fresh look.
We're looking for volunteers to help us bring this vision to life. If you'd love to be a part of this creative endeavor or want more details on how you can contribute, please contact Diane Morales.
Let's make 2024 a year of positive change and community connection! Your support means the world to us.
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Updates From GRANTS
By Gracie Montaño, Grants Manager
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RAP is kicking off the new year with an exciting opportunity. We are seeking four qualified candidates to fill the paid position of “Reader” who will be evaluating grant applications. If you or someone you know may be interested in joining the RAP team of Readers, please click on the button below to review the job description. Interested candidates are requested to submit a resume and cover letter to Grants@rapfoundation.org. | |
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Is your nonprofit ready to chart a path to success and surpass its goals in 2024? We're here to support you every step of the way through our exclusive NPO Centric Grant.
The NPO Centric Grant is available to nonprofits through our grant portal, Foundant. This RAP grant provides technical assistance services through our NPO Centric program. Services can include personalized, one-on-one guidance from our seasoned consultants to help you reach and exceed your goals, and an NPO Centric Membership to gain full access to all NPO Centric workshops. Members also have access to a digital portal with valuable content to keep you up-to-date on fundamentals and best practices.
Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your nonprofit to new heights. Apply for our NPO Centric Grant today and set the stage for a year of unparalleled achievement.
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Remember, the key to successful grant applications is staying informed and being prepared. Start your year with the resources and support you need to turn your vision into reality.
To learn more about our other funding opportunities, visit our website at RAPFoundation.org.
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Updates From ARPA
By Marisol Alaniz, ARPA Grants Manager
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Empowering Nonprofits: Riverside County's $14.5 Million ARPA Initiative and Transformative Workshops for a Thriving 2024
In May 2023, the County of Riverside earmarked $14.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to alleviate the pandemic's economic impact on nonprofits and contribute to community recovery.
To put this initiative into action, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors established the Riverside County Nonprofit Assistance Fund (RCNAF), which extends grants to eligible agencies, focusing on 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax-exempt organizations in alignment with the Coronavirus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Final Rule. We are currently in the midst of the grant facilitation process.
Administering the ARPA grant is a collaborative effort involving Inland SoCal United Way (Direct), Inland Empire Community Foundation (Programmatic), and RAP Foundation (Technical Assistance).
The primary objectives of Technical Assistance are threefold:
- Enhancing Nonprofit Financial Stability
- Preparation for Future Funding Opportunities
- Advancing Countywide Outcomes
Within the realm of Technical Assistance, we've made significant progress:
- Grant Writing: We've surpassed our goal at 115% and served over 150 nonprofits.
- Fund Development: Achieving 38% of our goal to serve 100 nonprofits.
- Financial Controls: In development, confident in reaching our goal of 100 nonprofits.
- Strategic Planning: Progressing (40%) toward our goal to serve 50 nonprofits.
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RAP OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE | |
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As you may know, RAP makes space available for nonprofits at below-market rates. Currently, 25 organizations are taking advantage of not only these reduced rental opportunities but also the ability to be located in the same building with other nonprofits. It makes collaboration so much easier and more effective!
Good news: RAP currently has both office and cubicle space available. If you and your organization find this an attractive possibility—and why not?—contact Mireya Reyes.
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