County employees help nonprofits with grants

SAN DIEGO — Since 1956, the San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO) has funded numerous local nonprofit agencies with the mission of making San Diego County a better place for all.

The 2009 CECO grant application and instructions are now available online.

“CECO is pleased to be able to provide this grant opportunity to help support these important and needed community organizations, especially in these tough economic times,” said John Rasmussen, president of CECO.

CECO recognizes the efforts of local nonprofit groups that provide a myriad of services to assist the community throughout San Diego County through an annual awards breakfast in March.

In 2007, CECO distributed more than $280,000 to 89 charitable organizations, including the Burn Institute, Catholic Charities and the Monarch School Project.

CECO is funded by the generosity of the employees and retirees of the County of San Diego and Superior Court. Contributions are entirely voluntary and are in the form of automatic payroll deductions and one-time donations.

For questions pertaining to the grant application and/or allocation process, contact CECO Allocation Chair Eileen Espinoza at (619) 531-3374 or [email protected] or visit http://www.sdceco.org.