RAP Foundation

10/17/2026

Thank you to Sergio Garcia and Desert Sun for highlighting the NPO Desert Fast Pitch!

This program is so much more than a competition. It’s about building stronger nonprofit leaders, sharing powerful stories, creating lasting connections, and celebrating the incredible organizations making a difference in our community.

We couldn’t be more proud of this year’s contestants and everyone who helped make this experience so special!

Take a look!

Patrons were enthralled by the competition's six finalists as they delivered compelling stories about their nonprofits and competed for cash grants. See link below ⬇️

📸 Sergio Garcia/Special to The Desert Sun

10/13/2026

One of the best things about NPO Desert Fast Pitch is the incredible people we get to know along the way!

The competition may be over, but the relationships and friendships continue. We've loved hearing from and reconnecting with our contestants, and their thoughtfulness means so much to us! Thank you, Kara Jonassen Robinson of The Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City and Alex Aguilar of Iyengar Yoga Center Coachella Valley - IYCCV!

We miss seeing your faces every week, and we hope you know that you'll always be part of our RAP Foundation and NPO Centric family.

We are so proud of each and every one of you, and we can't wait to see all the amazing things you accomplish!

10/12/2026

Don't miss this upcoming FREE event! 📌

Raising the Future aims to bring youth, parents, families, and community organizations together for a day focused on empowering youth, strengthening families, and connecting our community to valuable resources and opportunities.

✨ Workshops and resources

✨ Opportunities to connect with community organizations

✨ Tools to help families navigate today's and future challenges

📅 October 17 | 10 AM–4 PM
📍 Riverside County Office of Education, Conference Center, Indio

It's FREE to attend. So, bring your family and friends to experience a day designed to inspire and empower.

🎟️ Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raising-the-future-tickets-1992705404507

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10/08/2026

What an inspiring morning! RAP Board members Maria Meyer, Board Chair Aurora Wilson, and Rosemary Ortega, along with NPO Centric Director, Taly Fantini, joined Eisenhower Health Foundation Senior Director, Monica Vazquez at the fourth annual Coachella Valley Trailblazers, presented by Eisenhower Health and California Bank & Trust.

We left energized by the stories and wisdom shared by three of the Valley’s most accomplished leaders:

🔹 Gabe Aguirre, Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley | 111 Wealth Management Group
🔹 Hilda Zamora, Esq., Founder, Zamora Law Boutique
🔹 John Page, General Manager, Acrisure Arena and the Coachella Valley Firebirds

Hearing how each of them has built something meaningful through vision, persistence, and a deep commitment to our community was a powerful reminder of what’s possible here. We’re bringing that inspiration back to our work and our mission.

Thank you to Eisenhower Health and California Bank & Trust for a morning of insight and meaningful connections as we celebrate the people shaping the future of our Valley. 🌵

10/08/2026

The RAP Foundation is proud to celebrate our Director, Taly Fantini, for being featured in the latest issue of Desert Charities News - Women in Philanthropy: Industry Leaders and Influencers in the Nonprofit Industry. ✨

Read here: https://fbs.advantageinc.com/desertcharitiesnews/oct-nov-dec2026/

At NPO Centric, Taly is passionate about strengthening our nonprofit community and creating the partnerships, resources, and opportunities that help organizations build capacity and increase their impact. We’re grateful to see her leadership and NPO Centric's work recognized alongside so many inspiring women who are making a difference across our community.

A heartfelt thank you to Steve Tolin, Editor-Publisher of Desert Charities News, for continuing to shine a light on the people and organizations working to make our community stronger. For years, Desert Charities News has supported the nonprofit sector, giving local organizations a platform to share their stories, celebrate their impact, and connect with the community.

We’re honored to be part of this year’s Women in Philanthropy feature and grateful to be among such an incredible group of women leaders.

Read the latest issue of Desert Charities News here: https://fbs.advantageinc.com/desertcharitiesnews/oct-nov-dec2026/

Preserving the Legacy of Giving in the Coachella Valley www.dcnnews.com October/November/December 2026 ALICIA GRANTHAM LINDI BIGGI DALANEY GREGORY WIP Page 7

10/06/2026

🎂Happy Birthday, Anitza! 🎂

Most people take their birthday off. Not Anitza! It was the week before NPO Desert Fast Pitch and there was no time to rest. We took a moment to celebrate Anitza. She blew out the candles, made a wish, and shared her chocolate cake with the rest of us! Thank you! Don’t worry, we’re going to take her out tomorrow for the REAL celebration.

We're happy to have you on the team, Anitza!

Here’s to you! Can’t wait to keep the celebration going tomorrow!

10/05/2026

What a wonderful surprise! 💙

Selena Rodriguez from Safe Family Justice Centers stopped by the RAP Foundation to say thank you to our team after an incredible NPO Desert Fast Pitch journey.

Selena won Best Portfolio and delivered an excellent pitch at the Grand Finale. We watched her grow so much in such a short time, and we couldn't be prouder of how hard she worked, how much she learned, and how beautifully she represented SAFE Family Justice Centers.

Selena brought a giant thank-you card for the RAP Foundation team and Board, and individual cards for Stephanie Minor, Greg Charleston, Taly Fantini, and RAP CEO Lety Delara. She also brought some Krispy Kreme donuts to share!

Such a thoughtful gesture from someone we were already so proud to celebrate.

Congratulations again, Selena! You worked hard, you showed up, and you absolutely earned your moment. We can’t wait to see what you do next. 💙

10/03/2026

🌟WHAT A NIGHT! NPO DESERT FAST PITCH 2026 WAS UNFORGETTABLE!🌟

Last night was pure magic—and it happened because of our wonderful community!!! Thank you for coming out to support nonprofits supporting the social infrastructure of our region!

To Our Board:
Your vision. Your leadership. Your commitment to nonprofit excellence. You made NPO Desert Fast Pitch possible and powerful. THANK YOU.

To Our Incredible Judges:
You deliberated thoughtfully. You recognized excellence. Thank you for investing your time and expertise!

To Our Fabulous Sponsors:
We could not have made this special evening possible without you! Thank you for your investment in nonprofit excellence and our community!

To Our Amazing Coaches:
You provided thoughtful, meaningful, and specific coaching to help our contestants develop and improve their pitches. THANK YOU.

To J.R. Martinez:
Your story moved us all. Your reminder that resilience, courage, and determination can overcome anything resonated with every nonprofit leader in that room. You inspired us. THANK YOU. 💙

To Patrick Evans:
You made last night's event fun and exciting! You bring an entire ballroom together with warmth, laughter, and a sense of belonging. THANK YOU!

To Our Amazing Team:
You showed up with heart, dedication, and excellence. Every detail mattered. You made this event exceptional. THANK YOU. 💙

An entire community came together last night to say: nonprofit leaders matter. Nonprofit excellence deserves investment.

Thank you to everyone who made NPO Desert Fast Pitch 2026 extraordinary.

10/03/2026

💙NPO DESERT FAST PITCH 2026: AN EVENING OF NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE💙

Last night, our community gathered to celebrate exceptional nonprofit organizations doing essential work across our region.

Hat's off to the eleven nonprofit leaders in this year's NPO Desert Fast Pitch program!

Alex Aguilar — Iyengar Yoga Center Coachella Valley ( IYCCV)
Ray Amador — Coachella Valley Youth Leadership
Jessica Bowser — Desi Strong Foundation
Tamara Canedo — Seiden-Juku
Yvonne Choyce — Consortium for Early Learning Services
Erin Hyland — Read With Me Volunteer Programs
Julie Makinen — Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation
J'ai Michel-Lundy (Sweet Baby J'ai) — Sunset Music and Education Foundation
Kara Robinson — Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City
Selena Rodriguez — Safe Family Justice Centers
Diane Schlesinger — How Great Are THY Works

Thank you for making this year's NPO Desert Fast Pitch campaign so exciting, meaningful and special for all of us! Your work matters. 💙

10/02/2026

💙 THEY DID IT! 💙

Last night was MAGIC! Our community showed up with passion, support, and investment.

Meet your NPO Desert Fast Pitch 2026 Grand Finale Winners:

🥇 GRAND CHAMPION ($20,000): Tamara Canedo, Seiden-Juku
🥈 SECOND PLACE ($15,000): Kara Robinson, Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City
🥉 THIRD PLACE ($10,000): Erin Hyland, Read With Me Volunteer Programs

These organizations are now resourced to expand their impact. To serve more children. To support more families. To strengthen our community.

But here's what truly won last night: Nonprofit Excellence. These finalists, their missions, their leadership—they showed our region what's possible when we invest in nonprofit leaders.

Thank you:
✨ To our incredible finalists for your courage
✨ To our community for showing up with support
✨ To our sponsors for believing in this mission
✨ To J.R. Martinez for inspiring us all

This is nonprofit power. This is community transformation. This is what we're building together.