About Rancho Santa Fe Foundation
To connect donors with regional and global needs through visionary community leadership, personalized service, and effective grantmaking.
Focus Areas
EducationMilitary & veterans supportHuman trafficking prevention and survivor servicesWorkforce development for transition-age youthSenior services / senior connectionsNonprofit capacity / endowmentsGlobal literacy and international programs
Who They Fund
community residents / general publicvulnerable populations served by social services (e.g., low-income families, individuals in crisis)artists and cultural organizationsanimals (pets, wildlife, rescue populations)
About Rancho Santa Fe Foundation
Rancho Santa Fe Foundation’s recent giving is defined by large education grants alongside major commitments to health, civic engagement, and community-serving organizations. In 2025, its largest grant in the recent list went to University of Virginia Law School Foundation for $750,000, and another sizable education grant went to University of Michigan for $500,000 in 2024. The foundation also backed San Diego-area institutions at a similar scale, including San Diego Humane Society at $710,000 in 2025 and Orange County Community Foundation at $400,251 the same year. That mix shows a donor-advised and community foundation platform used for both local and regional grantmaking. The recipient list also points to a broad portfolio that extends beyond education. Grants support animal welfare, social services, health, humanitarian work, arts and culture, and recreation or sports activities. Several recurring institutions appear across multiple years, including Uc San Diego Foundation, Scripps Health Foundation, Nativity Prep Academy, Rancho Santa Fe School District, Miraglo Foundation, and Wellbeing Foundation America Inc. The pattern is one of project-specific support for organizations serving students, patients, families, and community members, with a strong emphasis on Southern California while also funding select organizations elsewhere in the United States.
What Rancho Santa Fe Foundation Funds
Education is a core theme. Rancho Santa Fe Foundation gave $300,000 to Stem Nola for education in 2023, $298,510 to Uc San Diego Foundation for education in 2024, and $274,000 to Nativity Prep Academy for education in 2025. The same area also includes grants to University of San Diego and Rancho Santa Fe School District. Health and human services are another important thread. The foundation awarded $374,250 to Scripps Health Foundation in 2024 and $350,000 to Vista Community Clinic in 2024, then followed with $277,500 to Scripps Health Foundation and $232,725 to Burn Institute in 2025. Humanitarian and civic engagement grants also appear, including $291,667 to We Charity in 2023 and $629,104 to National Philanthropic Trust in 2025. It also funds animal welfare and recreation. Recent examples include $710,000 to San Diego Humane Society and $625,000 to Rock Ride on Center for Kids.
How Rancho Santa Fe Foundation Gives
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$16.1M
Total Assets
$205.9M
Total Revenue
$18M
Total Expenses
$18.2M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $42K, with a median of $24K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$24K
75th Percentile
$42K
Geographic Reach
Regional40 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
BEN MORAGA
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