2024 Special Grants
Rest Haven is pleased to announce our 2024 Special Grants. We once again will provide one-time grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations working to improve the health of at-risk and underserved children residing in San Diego or Imperial Counties.
Our mission is to provide funds for health-related needs and services for children, ages 0 through 17, in San Diego and Imperial Counties when no other funds are available. The intent of the 2024 Special Grants program is to support 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with the expansion of an existing program, support a new program, or support the acquisition of equipment that will be used to enhance children's health needs. If your organization shares our mission and vision, we invite you to submit your application that identifies a community need, a plan to increase your capacity to meet that need, and your plans for the sustainability of the project once our grant funds are expended.
Priority consideration will be given to those requests that support the areas of Mental, Emotional or Behavioral Health or Food Insecurity, as well as those requests asking for funding for a matching grant. We anticipate distributing $235,000 during this grant cycle.
2024 Special Grants Timeline:
| 02/20/24 | Grants announced |
| 03/15/24 | Grant Applications open |
| 04/19/24 | Grant Applications close |
| 06/24/24 | Applicants notified of grants awarded |
| 07/01/24 | Checks disbursed |
| 07/01/24 | Grant period begins |
| 01/31/25 | Interim Grant Report due |
| 06/30/25 | Grant period ends |
| 08/31/25 | Final grant reports due |
- Key contacts for organization
- List of Board of Directors and key staff
- Multiple price quotes for single equipment or supplies over $1,000
- Invoices or statements for large equipment
- Total Project Budget
How to Submit Your Application
Rest Haven's Special Grants process is fully digital. All applications must be submitted through our online portal after you create your unique account by clicking here. Paper copies are no longer accepted.
Here are the steps you will take to submit your application:
1. Create your account using the link provided above.
2. As soon as you fully register, you can view our 2024 Special Grants Application.
3. Once the application opens on March 15, 2024, you can begin filling in your responses to the questions and prompts. All of your responses and uploaded documents will be saved, and you can access your application at any time and from any device as long as you have your login credentials. Rest Haven does not have access to your password. If you forget your password, you must change it by clicking "Forgot Your Password" and following the prompts.
4. The application will close on April 19, 2024, and you will no longer be able to make any changes after that date.
5. All Interim Reports and Final Reports will be made using the same portal.
6. For help please see the Applicant Tutorial.
7. Want to add a collaborator from your organization? Watch this Collaborator Tutorial.
Deadlines and Award Notifications
The application deadline is April 19, 2024. Your completed application, including all requested uploads, must be submitted via our online portal by this date. All grant requests will be reviewed through a committee process and approved by the Special Grants Committee at the end of June.
Applicants will be notified electronically by June 24, 2024, as to the status of their grant request. Those organizations awarded a grant must sign our Grant Agreement before funds are disbursed. Rest Haven reserves the right to reject any request submitted for any reason without indicating reasons for said rejection.
Limitations on Use of Grant Funds
All Special Grants awarded by Rest Haven are to be used for the specific project that was approved by our Board of Directors. Grantees must return any funds (1) not used for the purpose stated in the approved grant application, or (2) in a manner inconsistent with the grantee's approved budget.
Rest Haven recognizes that, on occasion, there may be a need to change or substitute items for various reasons. If a grantee believes this is required, the organization must complete the following before the funds in question are spent:
1. Submit a formal written request via email to Rest Haven explaining why the grant recipient is requesting the proposed changes in use of grant funds, and
2. Submit a revised budget reflecting the requested changes.
Once the written request and revised budget is received, the Executive Director, Board President and Special Grants Committee Chair will review the request. After a request for changes is reviewed and a decision is made, a written response will be provided. Contact our Executive Director at executive@resthavenchf.org for further details.
Reporting Requirements
All 2024 Special Grant grantees must submit an Interim Report by January 31, 2025, updating the Rest Haven Board of Directors on the progress of grant objectives and grant expenditures. Final Reports and Final Budget Expenditure Reports are due by August 31, 2025. These reports will detail the manner in which the grant monies have been used and document results and progress. All reports will be submitted electronically through our portal.
The Final Report will include a brief description of the project, a summary of how the funds were spent, whether the goals, objectives and timelines outlined in the original proposal were met, and whether there were any changes or challenges during the grant period. The Final Budget Project Expenditure Report should reflect all expenses for which Rest Haven grant funds were used and any applicable matching grant funds spent. Receipts must be submitted for any individual items purchased over $1,000.00. Rest Haven reserves the right to request additional receipts as deemed necessary.
Should a grantee not submit the required reports, submits incomplete reports, or is repeatedly delinquent in submitting reports, future applications for funding will not be considered.
2023 Special Grants Requirements and Reporting
Interim Reports for 2023 Grant Awardees are due by March 31, 2024. Final Grant Reports, along with a Final Budget Project Expenditure Report is due by November 4, 2024 (note: the date was extended due to Halloween). Final Grant Reports and Final Budget Expenditure Reports must be submitted through your online portal. Further details will be emailed directly to all 2023 Special Grant Awardees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rest Haven’s mission is to provide funds for health-related services for children in San Diego and Imperial counties when no other funds are available. To fulfill its mission, the Rest Haven Board of Directors makes grants available annually to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and specific projects serving San Diego and Imperial County children under the guidelines and restrictions set forth in above. The Board invites nonprofits working with underserved children to submit an application for our annual Special Grants process to request funding to support identified children's health needs in their communities.
As funding allows, these one-time grants are available on a competitive basis. In order to better align with summer programs and mid-year budgets, Rest Haven now awards grants commencing July 1. All funds must be expended by June 30 of the following year. Historically, Rest Haven has awarded $200,000 on average in gifts annually to multiple organizations. Grant awards can be for a period of up to one year. Funds cannot be used outside of the stated grant period.
Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that shares Rest Haven's mission and provides services to children who reside in San Diego or Imperial County ages 0-17 can submit a request on behalf of the organization.
Rest Haven will not fund salaries unless the sustainability of the program for which the salaries are being requested can be demonstrated beyond the one-year grant period. Rest Haven will not fund any fringe benefits.
Sustainability is the ability of a program to continue operating after the Rest Haven grant is exhausted. Rest Haven grants are for one year only. If you are applying for salary support or support for a new program, it is critical that the proposal include a demonstrated plan showing how the agency will sustain the program beyond the year for which the grant is awarded.
No, Rest Haven will not fund general program operating support. A Rest Haven grant is not meant to be used for general support when other funds supporting the program have been or will be eliminated. However, and as mentioned above, overhead in the form of salaries may be funded if sustainability is demonstrated.
No, Rest Haven will not fund brick and mortar or provide funds for a capital improvement campaign.
Yes. Organizations that received a Special Grant last year are permitted to submit an application for a new request this year for a different need or program. Organizations that did not receive a Special Grant last year can also submit an application for a grant this year. We advise against submitting an application for the same need or program that was denied in previous year(s).
Yes, two price quotes must be included for any one item or piece of equipment that costs more than $1,000.
Yes. When equipment is requested, goals and objectives still need to be identified in the proposal. For example, you could tell us how many children do you anticipate will use this equipment, what you hope will be its impact, and whether it be used at more than one site.
A project budget template is downloadable from our online application and must be included with your full application. The budget should include all items relevant to your project, including those items your are requesting Rest Haven to fund. Please also provide details on any anticipated matching grants, other funding you will receive, or any unfunded project costs. Do not include your general operating budget unless we specifically request to review it. A sample budget is available for you to download for guidance.
No. The amount should be based on the need, but take into consideration that Rest Haven will be awarding $235,000 total during this 2024 grant cycle. We historically award 18 to 22 grants in any given year.
Matching grants are funds you request from another donor source to partially support the same grant request being made to Rest Haven or partial funds already secured from another donor source for which a matching grant is being requested of Rest Haven. General fundraising to support other program needs is not considered a matching grant.
No, but Rest Haven will not release funds until we receive a written commitment of funding from the matching funds donor source. This written commitment for matching funds must be secured no later than September 30, 2024, or Rest Haven Special Grants funds will no longer be available.
January 31, 2025 - Interim Reports Due
August 31, 2025 - Final Reports Due
These reports will be made through our online portal. Reminders will be emailed to the individual who submitted the application.
Our Special Grants Committee reviews and approves all applications.
If approved, grant funds will be disbursed by July 1, and can be expended anytime during the grant period of July 1 - June 30.
If grant funds are being requested to support a project that extends over a period of more than one year, a multi-year grant may be requested.
