About United Way of San Diego County
United Way of San Diego County’s recent grantmaking centers on education and economic mobility, with a visible pattern of funding that reaches from early literacy into STEAM-to-careers, financial coaching, and basic-needs support. Two of its largest recent grants went to Dreams for Change: $181,137 in 2024 for EITC and $177,151 in 2023 for EITC, showing sustained support for free tax preparation and related benefits access. The foundation also backed the International Rescue Committee with $116,016 in 2023 and $81,510 in 2024 for Building Resilience, pointing to a role in emergency or stabilizing support alongside its longer-term education work.
Education remains a core thread across the portfolio. The YMCA of San Diego County received $73,829 in 2023 for Level Up San Diego and $44,959 in 2024 for STEAM-to-Careers, while Junior Achievement received $34,025 in 2024 for STEAM-to-Careers. That mix suggests a funder that supports both direct service and partner-delivered programming. Grants also reached organizations such as Creating Coding Careers, Traveling Stories, and Fleet Science Center, indicating interest in literacy, youth development, and hands-on learning opportunities for San Diego-area communities.
What United Way of San Diego County Funds
In tax assistance and benefits access, the foundation gave $181,137 in 2024 to Dreams for Change for EITC, and that same grantee received $177,151 in 2023 for the same purpose. That repeated support makes free tax preparation a clear part of the funding picture.
For resilience-building and emergency or basic-needs support, it funded the International Rescue Committee with $116,016 in 2023 and $81,510 in 2024 under Building Resilience. Dreams for Change also received $97,415 in 2023 and $68,343 in 2024 for Building Resilience.
The education portfolio includes STEAM and career readiness. YMCA of San Diego County received $44,959 in 2024 for STEAM-to-Careers, while Junior Achievement received $34,025 in 2024 for the same focus. Early learners and literacy also appear through grants such as $5,114 in 2024 to UCSD Create for Early Learners/LevelUp San Diego.
How United Way of San Diego County Gives
Typical awards sit in a middle range: p25 is $10,872, median is $24,948, and p75 is $73,829. The recent record shows both repeated support and multi-year relationships, with Dreams for Change, International Rescue Committee, 2-1-1 San Diego, YMCA of San Diego County, and Traveling Stories appearing across more than one year. United Way of San Diego County is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Several of its program and partnership pathways accept unsolicited requests, including Tocqueville Society, SparkPoint Financial Coaching, United Way Program Initiatives, Live United. Give United., Workplace Giving, and Community Partnerships.
