On Saturday, June 5, 1999, the San Diego Community lost one of its greatest friends, Rob Benzon. Rob Benzon drowned while swimming in the ocean in Acapulco. Losing 31-year-old Rob Benzon so suddenly devastated his friends and family. Rob Benzon was a lot of things to a lot of people, but what he loved to do most was make people laugh and smile and remind them that every day is a precious gift. Rob lived life to the fullest and his infectious laugh and reassuring presence is missed every day.
The community rallied around Rob and arranged a memorial/celebration that was fitting of a person who dedicated his life to making others smile. Never a wealthy person, Rob still gave generously with his money, his time, and his love. Rob’s friends created the Rob Benzon Memorial fund to keep Rob’s memory alive and to carry on Rob’s tradition of making people smile by helping in any way he can.
The guiding concept of the foundation is that individuals who are not normally philanthropic can donate small amounts of money which when aggregated can be used to make a difference and ordinary people can create miracles. We raise money by a combination of direct solicitation of Rob’s friends and those in the community who knew him or knew of him and by hosting fundraisers that are open to the community where small donations, generally $25, are solicited.
We accomplish this in two ways. First, when we learn of an individual who has suffered a calamity and is in need of emergency support. These situations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis as they arise and are generally considered for awards of between $500 and $1000. Eligible expenditures include emergency food and shelter, medicine, medical treatment, and similar necessary urgent care expenses.
Second, we provide financial support and/or services to 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organizations serving the community in San Diego, California, in amounts that are generally under $1,000 per charity per year with an emphasis on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender service organizations that directly serve individuals in the community.
Thus, the primary activity of the organization is granting funds to established charitable organizations and individuals with urgent needs in response to a catastrophic event. The organization conducts this activity by meeting as a board whenever a request is made or a needy recipient identified. The Board engages in a careful screening of the individual’s requests by (1) verifying the need, (2) determining that no other source exists to adequately assist the individual with his/her emergency needs, and (3) making sure the granting criteria.
For the grants to the established charities, we conduct the granting activity by a careful screening of the requesting organization’s mission, programs, and population served, (2) specifying how our particular grant will be used, (3) ensuring that the donation will result in the maximum impact for the most people, (4) that the ideals and mission of the Rob Benzon Ordinary Miracles Foundation will be shared with the community and organization through the grant, and (5) have an appreciable impact on the local community.
Our exempt purpose is directly by the fundraising and granting activities described above and was recognized by the IRS with the granting of 501(c)(3) status to the organization this year. These activities allow us to assist the poor, underprivileged, and/or individual victims of discrimination. We also advance education and lessen the burdens of government through direct assistance of the needy. Perhaps the best direct result of the organization’s activities is the teaching of the power of philanthropy in improving ones own community – one ordinary miracle at a time.
The activity of fundraising really started at the memorial for Rob Benzon, in June 1999. At his memorial, Rob’s friends and family had donated a total of $10,000 to be used to honor his memory by establishing a charitable foundation. From that period through 2002, we made small donations to groups including Bienestar, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Mama’s Kitchen. Then in 2002 we decided to build upon what we were doing to expand the scope of eligible grantees, the number of awards, and the overall amount available for granting. To achieve that goal, we organized new fundraisers and registered the non-profit organization with the state of California. We incorporated on March 23, 2003 and selected the Board of Directors of what is now known as “The Rob Benzon Memorial Foundation.”
The Board is comprised mostly of people who were with Rob on the day he died:
John Cashman
Dan Ferbal
Michael Groch
Steve Hawley
Mike Mance
Steve Miller
Richelle Pizl
Alan Zieg
Emeritus Board Members
Robert Gleason
Tony Machado
Big Mike Phillips
After we incorporated the organization, we had a fundraiser in December 2003 where the Board members donated over $1,000 to underwrite a fundraiser where 100 percent of the proceeds were dedicated to the organization. Over 150 people came together and we raised $2,400. We were also able to grant funds within our mission. Recipients that year included the Councilperson Toni Atkins Health Fund to assist a woman suffering from breast cancer and Bienestar.
All of our activities planned for this year continue to be fundraising and granting to groups and individuals within our criteria. The fundraising continues to be the work of a volunteer board and volunteers from the community. The goal is to continue to have no overhead expenses and 100% of the net proceeds going to support the organization.
We appreciate the generosity of individuals and organizations who continue to support the philanthropic work of the Rob Benzon Foundation with volunteerism, donations, and other acts of kindness.
