Hand to Hand is a group of women who grant funds to local non-profits which promote economic self-sufficiency and positive change in the lives of women and girls.

History:

In the spring of 2008, a group of women began to discuss ways that they could make a difference in the community for women and girls through their joint philanthropy.  In October 2008 Hand to Hand was established as a charitable fund at Coastal Community Foundation. Nineteen women joined as founders.

Mission:

Hand to Hand makes an impact in the lives of women and girls in San Diego County by directly resources to programs that empower change and self-sufficiency.  Hand to Hand fulfills its mission by funding education and job training for women, programs to help women re-enter the work force, mentoring programs for girls, and microloan programs through non-profit organizations.

Why You Should Join:

Grant funds are made possible through the membership donations. By investing $500, you become a voting member and you will be able to help select the grant recipients. OR you can participate as a “Friend” of Hand to Hand and your donation at any level provides additional funding for grants.

Additional information on becoming a member can be found in the Files section on the top right of this page – Hand to Hand Donation Form. Donations may be made online by clicking on the Donate button which will take you to a secure page.

Chair Persons:

Chair of Hand to Hand: KJ Koljonen

Grants Committee Chair: Carol Zeenkov

Grantee Relations Committee Chair: Mary Murphy

Finance Committee:  Trisha O’Neal

Membership Committee  Chair: Amy Larson

Hospitality Chair: Jody Sather

Grant History:

Over the past thirteen years, Hand to Hand has distributed grants totaling over $406,000 for programs and services for women and girls.

2021 grants:

  • Brother Benno Foundation – helping underserved women obtain the identification papers needed to access support services
  • Foundation for Women Warriors – providing transition and emergency services for female veterans in need
  • MANA de San Diego – supporting the economic mobility of Latinas through mentoring and leadership programs
  • Operation Hope North County – assisting women and children transition out of homelessness through Steps to Independence program

2020 grants:

  • Dreams for Change – housing assistance for young women as a result of COVID-19
  • Just in Time for Foster Youth – resilience checks for young women as a result of job loss and for emergency needs
  • Kitchens for Good – for case management for women in the job training program and hunger relief meals for the community

2019 grants:

  • Boys & Girls Club of Vista – SMART Girls
  • Girls Rising – summer programs
  • Operation Hope, Vista – year-round shelter program for women
  • Reading Legacies – reading program form mothers in jail to read to their children

2018 grants:

  • Barrio Logan College Institute – helping first generation students get on the path to college
  • Girls Rising – mentor program for girls
  • National Veteran Transition Services – Operation Empower for women transitioning out of the military
  • New Entra Casa for the residential treatment program for women upon release from jail
  • Reading Legacies for the Family Correction Program which encourages literacy for women in correctional facilities

2017 grants:

  • Dreams for Change for Eat Better Today, a job readiness program
  • Generate Hope for housing and recovery program for sex trafficking victims
  • New Entra Casa for the residential treatment program for women upon release from jail
  • Reading Legacies for the Family Correction Program which encourages literacy for women in correctional facilities
  • TLC Assistance Dogs Inc for support of their program at the County Girls Rehabilitation facility training service dogs

2009-2016 grants:

  • Angel Faces for a retreat to help girls with severe facial disfigurements build a positive self-image (2009/2012)
  • Boys & Girls Club of Vista (2015) SMART (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training) program for girls
  • Casa Cornelia Law Center for the domestic violence program (2012 / 2013 / 2015)
  • Community Resource Center for Life Skills training for domestic abuse survivors (2009)
  • Foundation for Women a micro-credit loan program to help women in poverty start a business (2010)
  • From the Inside Out for the Girls Only mentoring program (2009 / 2011)
  • Generate Hope ($10,000) residential treatment program for victims of sex trafficking (2016)
  • Girls on the Run for development and support of a North County program (2009 / 2011 / 2015)
  • Girls Rising for girls’ mentor program (2013 / 2014 / 2015)
  • Just in Time for Foster Youth for Career Horizons program for girls (2012 / 2014 /2015)
  • Karen Organization of San Diego ($5,700) women’s mentoring circles for Burmese refugees in San Diego (2016)
  • Kitchens for Good ($10,000) culinary job training and life skills program for women in need (2016)
  • Leap to Success for the women’s leadership program (2011)
  • MANA de North County San Diego for the Hermanitas® mentorship program (2010)
  • MANA de San Diego for the Hermanitas® mentorship program (2015)
  • New Entra Casa for residential treatment program for women being released from prison (2014 / 2016)
  • San Diego Hope House to develop a “cottage industry” for women who have been victims of human trafficking (2011)
  • Shakti Rising for the Transformational Recovery Program for women (2009 / 2010)
  • Welcome Home Ministries for Fair Dorm project and peer re-entry program (2013/ 2014)