The San Diego Women’s Foundation Collaboration Committee (SDWF) has partnered with Rotary District 5340 and the Carroll C. Long Charitable Fund at The San Diego Foundation to support Afghan refugees in San Diego County through a collaborative funding cycle.   
 
What began as a collaborative funding partnership between SDWF and Rotary District 5340 soon expanded thanks to a significant contribution from the Carroll C. Long Charitable Fund.  Additional contributions poured in from SDWF members, Rotarians, and other community members inspired by an anonymous SDWF member’s pledge to match up to $10K in donations. 
 
To date, the collaboration partners have raised more than $82,000 to support organizations providing critical services to help newcomer Afghan refugees settle into life here in San Diego, and additional contributions are expected.
 
The following nonprofit organizations have been awarded grants in the first round of distributions: 
  • $20,000 to License to Freedom to support their business coach program which provides job training and support to help Afghan refugees start small businesses. 
  • $15,000 to Amna Sanctuary to support their efforts to distribute basic goods and provide laptops/assistance to help bridge the technological divide for Afghan refugees. 
  • $15,000 to Help El Cajon Refugees to support their efforts to provide food, furnishings, and other essential items to Afghan refugees. 
  • $15,000 to the San Diego Afghan Refugee Aid Group to support their efforts to provide immediate assistance and long-term support service, ensuring Afghan refugees can transition into a new life here in San Diego. 
As part of the benefit to the grantees, SDWF will be welcoming one representative from each organization to join as a full member of the Women’s Foundation for the duration of the grant term.  In addition, Rotary District 5340 will be spearheading efforts to set up volunteer events to provide additional hands-on support to the grantees.