#GivingTuesdayNow: Ranch & Coast’s Giving Guide

#GivingTuesdayNow

Posted May 5, 2020

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. #GivingTuesdayNow, a worldwide day of unity, takes place on May 5, 2020, as a response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. A number of San Diego-based charities are seeking the support of our community. Here is our giving guide.

The Arc of San Diego’s population needs the support and stability of the organization’s services now more than ever. Join the #GivingTuesdayNow movement by supporting The Arc of San Diego and the critical services they provide to individuals with disabilities. For information on how you can participate, visit arc-sd.com/gtnow.

The Country Friends is a nonprofit organization formed 66 years ago to provide needed funding for San Diego County-based charities. Its mission is “Helping San Diegans since 1954: One Hand at a Time.” The organization raises funds primarily through the annual Art of Fashion luncheon, and proceeds from its Rancho Santa Fe consignment shop, which specializes in exquisite furniture, antiques, rugs, silver, china and objets d’art. Since its founding, The Country Friends has raised nearly $14 million to support human care agencies with special emphasis on services to women, children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. To learn more and to give to support the nonprofit’s 2020 chosen charities, click here: thecountryfriends.org/donate/

Serving Seniors is raising funds to help support the thousands of high-risk San Diego seniors who are isolated and homebound with limited access to food and medical services. With a goal of raising $24,000 in 24 hours, Serving Seniors’ #GivingTuesdayNow campaign aims to provide 6,000 additional meals to seniors throughout the county. Donations will also go toward ensuring seniors still have access to critical services such as housing assistance, health education, and check-in phone calls from team members to combat isolation. The Potiker Family Foundation is matching #GivingTuesdayNow donations dollar for dollar, up to $20,000. Full details about the campaign can be found here.

Local foster youth have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, they need to feel loved and supported. Promises2Kids is committed to helping foster youth get through this and come out stronger than before. #GivingTuesdayNow donations will create a brighter future for foster children. Brothers and sisters who have been separated in foster care will have opportunities to maintain their bonds by creating new memories at monthly events, and students will have the necessary skills, resources, and guidance to pursue their higher education. No amount is too small. Make a gift at Promises2Kids.org.

Shelter to Soldier continues to adopt dogs from local shelters and rescue organizations, and their team is still hard at work in training sessions with their service dog trainees. Every day, Shelter to Soldier answers the call for many veterans who have hit rock bottom. They are looking for a light amidst the darkness and have found hope in the nonprofit’s program. Shelter to Soldier’s psychiatric service dogs provide nonjudgmental support to post-9/11 combat veterans suffering from the perils of mental injury associated with traumatic service experiences. They gave everything to support us. It’s our turn to give back to them. Here are 11 ways you can make a difference for the lives saved by the Shelter to Soldier program: sheltertosoldier.org/11-ways-to-support-shelter-to-soldier-givingtuesdaynow/

MS doesn’t stop because of this crisis and neither will the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Please give today to help people with MS meet the extra challenges caused by COVID-19. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society believes that people affected by MS can live their best lives as we stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost, and end MS forever. Learn more and give by visiting tinyurl.com/y9v5zty3.

Become a Walden Warrior by supporting Walden Family Services — every dollar raised will be matched up to $50,000! Walden is a foster-to-adoption agency serving more than 1,500 foster children, youth, and families throughout Southern California. Since 1976, Walden has been a foster care pioneer, believing that children thrive in a happy, loving, and stable home, allowing them to realize their greatest potential toward becoming a self-sufficient and productive member of their community. To find out more about Walden and to make a donation, go to waldenfamily.org/giving-tuesday

The San Diego Museum of Art thanks everyone who serves and supports the San Diego community in this unprecedented time. The museum is committed to continuing its mission to inspire, educate, and cultivate curiosity through great works of art. Please click here to give: tinyurl.com/y7opzu5j.

As research dollars and hospital resources shift to respond to COVID-19, there is risk of funding for cancer research and time-sensitive clinical trials being delayed or pushed off.  So, while Padres Pedal the Cause continues to support the community in any way it can, the organization also remains focused on funding for cancer research. Please consider giving here: gopedal.org/givingtuesdaynow/

During these uncertain times, the Diabetes Research Connection (DRC) is finding ways to remain connected to those the organization serves by making personal phone calls, creating virtual gatherings, providing access to resources needed most, and funding research aimed to prevent, cure, and better care for those with type 1 diabetes. The importance of research has been highlighted during this pandemic and DRC’s early-career scientists need support to continue their groundbreaking, peer-reviewed research. It takes a community to connect for a cure! Learn more and give here: tinyurl.com/y7psax9h

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Center for Community Solutions (CCS) is on the front lines, continuing its essential work without interruption. Last year, CCS provided hope, healing, and prevention services to more than 17,000 individuals throughout San Diego County. Sadly, CCS knows that number will be greater this year due to sheltering in place. Despite challenges with social distancing, the nonprofit’s advocates are finding innovative solutions to ensure domestic violence and sexual assault survivors receive the vital services they need. All gifts made to CCS will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000! Your gift on #GivingTuesdayNow can help twice as many survivors receive hope and healing. Learn more and donate here: bit.ly/2y2Ypom

During this time of uncertainty, it is crucial that children in foster care have someone ensuring their needs are met and that the courts have someone they trust who can alert them if a child is in danger or has critical needs. Voices for Children’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program accomplishes those urgent needs for our community’s youth. During the pandemic, children have not been around some of the most common reporters of child abuse: teachers and daycare providers. Child welfare professionals anticipate a significant spike in reports of child abuse when schools are able to reopen, and Voices for Children is preparing to meet their needs. This #GivingTuesdayNow, show your support for local foster youth by helping to provide them with the unparalleled advocacy of a CASA volunteer through Voices for Children. You can help by making a secure, online donation at speakupnow.org/donate or creating a Facebook Fundraiser benefiting Voices for Children. For gifts to VFC greater than $500, Focusing Philanthropy is generously matching $2-to-$1.

Every cure has a starting point. The Salk Institute embodies Jonas Salk’s mission to dare to make dreams into reality. Its internationally renowned and award-winning scientists explore the very foundations of life, seeking new understandings in neuroscience, genetics, immunology, plant biology and more. The Institute is an independent nonprofit organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Be it cancer or Alzheimer’s, aging or diabetes, Salk is where cures begin. Click here to support Salk’s mission: salk.edu/the-power-of-science/

This #GivingTuesdayNow, FACE Foundation is showing gratitude to its supporters who believe in the organization’s mission of helping families and saving pets from the problem of “economic euthanasia.” Below is a special video thank you from John and his furry family member Rocky, who were both recently assisted through FACE’s life-saving programs. With the unemployment rate rising and families at risk, FACE Foundation needs the community’s support now more than ever. All gifts received will be matched by a generous FACE donor up to $5,000. You can help San Diego’s pets and families by donating to FACE today. Learn more and give by visiting: face4pets.org/givingtuesdaynow-may-5/

The coronavirus will not stop The Salvation Army Kroc Center’s commitment to “Do the Most Good.” Those who depend on the nonprofit cannot wait for “normalcy” to arrive. The Salvation Army will not rest while our community needs its emergency services. The organization has been providing more than 350 free meals a day to children, food boxes and hygiene kits to more than 500 families weekly, and childcare to essential workers who need it more now than ever. Please consider making a gift to the Kroc Center to help our community when they need it most. When the urgency has lifted, The Salvation Army Kroc Center is here to continue the good fight. To learn more and to give, please click here: tinyurl.com/y8tyeydu

United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County provides a broad spectrum of services to advance the independence, productivity, and full citizenship of San Diegans affected by cerebral palsy and other disabilities. The pandemic has caused an interruption in efforts to raise much-needed funds that are crucial to the agency’s functions. Fundraising events have been delayed or canceled already, and its three thrift stores are temporarily closed. Despite the current challenges, their goal is to move forward as soon as it’s safe to restore programs to the fullest levels possible. Please donate to ensure UCP San Diego can continue to serve these individuals and their families through vocational training, education, family support, employment, children’s programs, and much more. Click here to learn more and donate: tinyurl.com/y9s6qrxx

Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) is joining with other nonprofits to encourage generosity towards those most impacted by COVID-19. Whether it’s helping a neighbor, advocating for an issue, sharing a skill, or giving to causes, every act of generosity makes an impact. During this difficult time, RCHS continues to be the safety net for pet owners in need. RCHS joins this special day of giving by opening its Pet Food Bank on Tuesday, May 5, from 9-11am, to offer pet food and supplies to the local community. RCHS is committed to giving back to its friends and neighbors who are now facing hardship. Your donation will support RCHS’ Pet Food Bank and its Animal Safehouse Program, where the team is providing temporary pet boarding for owners hospitalized due to COVID-19. RCHS has been a part of this community for nearly 60 years, and they will continue to respond when pet owners need them most. To learn more and to give, please click here: rchumanesociety.networkforgood.com/projects/99474-giving-tuesday-now

Over the years since the 1986 inception of the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation, 250+ students from around the San Diego region have utilized more than $1 million in college scholarships to excel in diverse fields. Some, like 2019 recipient Charlize Rice, may be future healthcare heroes. Now a Genetic Engineering/Molecular Biology major at UC Santa Cruz, Rice interned as a Research Associate at the famed Salk Institute, where she engineered a toolkit to visualize undiscovered spinal neurons. Other recipients are pursuing careers in nursing, biomed research, and as first responders. Don Diego Scholars may one day solve critical medical issues impacting our community, our country and the world. Learn more and donate here: dondiegoscholarship.org/product/donate/

San Diego Botanic Garden is a 37-acre urban retreat nestled in the heart of Encinitas. Visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of city life amidst SDBG’s world-class plant collection that includes 5,000 plant species from all over the world. To make a donation to this unique Southern California treasure, please visit SDBGarden.org or click here: tinyurl.com/y9nptsyd

The New Children’s Museum believes in the power of “new” — being a new model for art and play, always offering something new to discover, and putting our hope in a new future by fostering skills to help children grow into resilient, compassionate adults. Today, in the midst of this challenging time, The New Children’s Museum is asking the community to join them in “reNEWing Hope” for the museum, its community, and beyond. As a nonprofit that relies on a steady stream of visitors, The New Children’s Museum is currently experiencing a financial hardship. To ensure that they are ready to reopen their doors and resume programming as soon as it is safe to do so, the museum has made challenging decisions to temporarily place many staff members on furlough, reduce pay for remaining staff, and make budget cuts wherever possible. For every gift donated to the museum on May 5, Professional Maintenance Systems will match dollar for dollar up to $10,000 to keep the museum and community healthy and hopeful. Learn more and give here: thinkplaycreate.org/join/renewing-hope-fund/

In San Diego County, the stark reality is that the number of people in need keeps growing every day. Before the COVID-19 crisis, one in eight people faced hunger.  With severe job losses, school closures, and economic uncertainty, food insecurity has increased by 50 percent. As the COVID-19 crisis continues, Feeding San Diego is working diligently to serve the community. Since March 14, Feeding San Diego has distributed more than 3.5 million meals to people in need. Together, we can help the organization continue to respond to the rapidly increasing need. Every dollar given will impact San Diegans who need it most. Feeding San Diego needs your support more than ever. Click here to learn more and to give: tinyurl.com/yddhryoy

Furloughed, unemployed, and underemployed breast cancer patients, who are also high-risk for COVID-19, urgently need money for food, basic necessities, rent, utilities, prescriptions, transportation to treatment, and more. San Diegans who just found a lump and are uninsured or under-insured urgently need money to pay for an ultrasound, biopsy, or MRI. You can be the bridge for these patients during this pandemic. Susan G. Komen San Diego is committed to helping breast cancer patients pay for these critical needs during COVID-19, but the need for the organization’s services is increasing every day. If you are able to support Komen San Diego’s COVID-19 efforts with a gift, please click here: tinyurl.com/ydfnq7cw

The members of Switchfoot and the organizers of the annual Switchfoot BRO-AM made the difficult but necessary decision not to host the in-person BRO-AM events this June. But the organization is committed to keeping the heart of BRO-AM beating by helping kids in immediate need. With schools and businesses shut down, a growing number of youth in the San Diego community are facing hunger. As such, Feeding San Diego is working diligently to meet the rapidly increasing need for food during the COVID-19 pandemic. The BRO-AM community has supported the organization for many years, and Feeding San Diego needs support now more than ever. To kick things off, the BRO-AM Foundation has donated $5,000. Every dollar contributed will be matched up to $1 million thanks to Gwendolyn M. Sontheim and the Aqualia International Foundation LTD. In addition, to help raise more funds and awareness, each member of Switchfoot has launched his own Home Food Challenge on Instagram. The challenge raises awareness of current food needs, shares a favorite home food item, and encourages giving. So far, notable musicians (Elise Trouw, Phil Wickam), athletes (Rob Machado, Taylor Knox, Quessenberry Brothers), Master Chef Claudia Sandoval, and even companies like BRO-AM’s longtime sponsor, SUJA Juice, have joined the challenge. To learn more and give, visit bit.ly/BROAMHomeFoodChallenge.

Since mid-March, when the pandemic first made headlines, Helen Woodward Animal Center kept its doors open to become a safe haven for more than 400 orphan dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens transferred to the center in great need. With the required “stay in place” orders, many smaller foster-based and rescue animal groups across the country have been forced to close their doors. In just the first quarter of the year, more orphan pets have arrived at the center via van transport, from places including Louisiana, Texas, and California, than would normally arrive throughout an entire year. Fortunately for these animals, families at home are seeking more joy and warmth in their days, and the arriving transports have been a true gift to the community.  In just the month of April, 340 pets found families of their own — an increase of over 140 pets from April 2019. The community’s support on #GivingTuesdayNow makes it possible for Helen Woodward Animal Center to continue to respond to the growing need. Gwendolyn M. Sontheim and the Aqualia International Foundation are matching donations on May 5 up to $50,000. Donations can be made at animalcenter.org/angel.

The YMCA of San Diego County has been serving the community for the past 138 years. Now more than ever, the Y is fully committed to ensuring a strong and vital future for its YMCAs and the communities it serves. Since voluntarily closing its facilities in March, the Y has been able to quickly ramp up critical support to the community, including: child care referrals and vouchers for essential workers and first responders, resources and strategies for caregivers facing extra stress and anxiety during the pandemic, free cleaning and sanitation kits for childcare providers who are caring for the children of essential workers, continued assistance to those most in need by providing housing and essential supplies to homeless youth and families, mental health counseling services using electronic tools to serve our foster youth and families in need, launching Virtual YMCA (where the entire community can find fitness classes and wellness activities for all ages), telephone check-ins with seniors, and opportunities for social connections and healthy activities to the community via free webinars, chats, and exercise classes. Consider making a gift to the Y at ymcasd.org/give.

Your support now means Community Resource Center will be here for our neighbors in the coming months. CRC works to end hunger, homelessness, and domestic violence in North County San Diego. As a provider of integrative services, CRC’s programs include a domestic violence emergency shelter, hotline and prevention/education outreach, a Therapeutic Children’s Center, professional counseling, legal advocacy, food and nutrition distribution center, homelessness prevention, and rental and housing assistance. All of CRC’s programs are designed to assist participants to successfully navigate their paths of safety, stability, and self-sufficiency. To learn more and give please click here: app.mobilecause.com/vf/WECARE2020

Thanks to generous support from the Koehler-Mahlstedt Family Foundation in memory of their dog Gretchen, all gifts to San Diego Humane Society received in response to this appeal will be matched up to $30,000! To make a donation for #GivingTuesdayNow, please visit sdhumane.org/givenow or text sdhumane to 50155 before midnight on May 5.

The Vision of Children Foundation hosted virtual tea party on May 4 to support its mission of curing hereditary childhood blindness and vision disorders. Guests were encouraged to brew their favorite cup of tea and log on to support the cause. The nonprofit is continuing to take donations in support of its mission through May 8. Please visit visionofchildren.org for more info.

This #GivingTuesdayNow, Las Patronas is raising funds to directly impact two of its major beneficiaries, Serving Seniors and the Salvation Army. The organization has committed to fund grants for food delivery vehicles for both organizations. Typically, the nonprofit would fund these in January 2021, but the group is doing all they can to try to raise those funds sooner, allowing Serving Seniors and the Salvation Army to serve meals to their clients who are in need today. Learn more and donate here: laspatronas.formstack.com/forms/donate_now

Laughing Pony Rescue needs the community’s support now more than ever. The good news is that dog and cat shelters are virtually empty due to the abundance of adoptions taking place during these unprecedented times. Sadly, the opposite is happening for most horse rescues. Many horse owners have had to surrender their pets due to recent hardships, resulting in most rescues being at or beyond capacity.  The challenges are further compounded by the fact that these rescues have had to cancel critical fundraising and volunteer events, making the day to day up-keep and financial responsibilities nearly impossible to manage. Laughing Pony Rescue had to cancel its premier fundraising event scheduled for this spring. The event was critically necessary to raise funds for operating expenses, animal care and feeding, and subsequent rescue efforts. However, despite this cancellation, the organization has continued to fulfill its mission to save and transform the lives of animals thanks to generous supporters.  During the month of March, it rescued six horses, and during April it saved four goats and nine horses, mules, and donkeys. Please consider donating to Laughing Pony Rescue so that the nonprofit may continue saving lives. Learn more and give here: laughingponyrescue.org/donate/

The San Diego Police Foundation is hoping to raise $5,000 on May 5 to support the brave men and women in blue who are sacrificing their own well-being to ensure San Diego’s health and safety. To meet the unprecedented challenge of the pandemic, police officers have been asked to work 12-hour shifts to provide ample coverage 24/7 during this global emergency. Our first responders, and in particular our peace officers, need our support more than ever. Not all heroes wear capes, some wear badges. Support San Diego’s heroes today by donating to the “10-4 COVID Response Campaign” here: tinyurl.com/yagz5p9d

San Diego Seniors Community Foundation is also participating in #GivingTuesdayNow. Older adults have been especially hard-hit by this crisis, which has disrupted nearly every aspect of their lives. Forced into isolation without access to their usual support systems, San Diego seniors need your help now more than ever. In the wake of the pandemic, senior centers — the community hubs where vulnerable seniors connect to services and resources — are hanging on by a thread. As revenue sources evaporate and municipal budgets are slashed, there is real risk that some local centers will not reopen. This would be a tragedy for an entire generation of elders. Together with its community partners, SDSCF has established the San Diego Seniors Coronavirus Recovery Fund to shore up senior centers and establish a robust support network that will be there for San Diego seniors during and after the pandemic. Please click here to give: tinyurl.com/yaoq2s42

Founded in 2014 by Libby and Tony Kranz in honor of their daughter, Jennifer, Unravel Pediatric Cancer is a nonprofit organization that’s working to help find a cure for pediatric cancer. In total, Unravel has given $6 million to research focused solely on childhood cancers. Now more than ever, they need your help to stay steady in their mission: to unravel pediatric cancer by funding innovative research. UPC has teamed up with Compass Outdoor Adventures for their “Mission 2 Unravel Pediatric Cancer” — a live, interactive, at-home scavenger hunt this Saturday, May 9. For 90 minutes of fun for the entire family, compete live against other families via your smartphone during this creative and exciting fundraising event. Register or donate to the mission here: e.givesmart.com/events/hcH

COVID-19 has put a lot of things out of commission — hunger is not one of them. Since 1986, Care House has been involved with like-minded agencies and individuals throughout San Diego to help aid the homeless and under-served youth and their families. They are committed to maintaining diverse and empowering programs as well as financial assistance opportunities, while keeping necessary hard-good donations accessible to those most in need. Currently, there are more than 197,000 children on the free lunch program in San Diego that need help in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. Visit carehousekids.org to help or click here to make a donation.