The foundation concentrates its giving in the San Diego area with sizable, targeted gifts to institutions that support higher education/student life and community behavioral health. Recent grants show a pattern of funding campus experience and research efforts at UC San Diego alongside support for affordable substance abuse treatment through The McAlister Institute. The foundation appears to prioritize local impact over many small national grants, focusing on a few substantive awards to established organizations.
A $140,000 grant to UC San Diego stands out as the foundation’s largest recent award, and it captures a broader pattern: Morgan Dene and Elizabeth Hamman Oliver Family Foundation Inc. consistently backs San Diego-area institutions that shape student experience, research, and community well-being. The foundation’s 2024 giving also includes $50,000 to The McAlister Institute for affordable substance abuse treatment and intervention services, showing that its support extends beyond higher education into behavioral health. In the same recent group of grants, it funded precision medicine through Soteria Precision Medicine Foundation Inc., mentorship for young men through Boys to Men Mentoring Network, and a range of community-serving organizations with smaller operating or program grants. The picture that emerges is of a local funder making selective, targeted awards rather than broad, high-volume philanthropy. Their grants regularly support established nonprofits and university-related efforts in La Jolla, San Diego, El Cajon, and nearby communities. Several awards are directed to organizations working with students, youth, people facing hunger, and communities seeking access to health, prevention, or cultural programs. Across the recent record, the foundation’s giving reflects close attention to institutions serving San Diego residents and campus communities.
Higher education is a central thread in the foundation’s recent support. UC San Diego received $140,000 in 2024 and $15,000 in 2023, both for student experience, research endeavors, or the campus community. That same student-centered theme appears in a $1,000 grant to Next Step a Map Program for increasing opportunities for student success through education. Youth development and prevention also show up clearly. The foundation gave $25,000 in 2024 and another $25,000 in 2023 to Boys to Men Mentoring Network to support mentorship for young men. It also supported Natural High with $10,000 in 2023 and $10,000 in 2024 for an evidence-based drug prevention program for youth. Health and basic needs are another part of the portfolio. The McAlister Institute received $50,000 for affordable substance abuse treatment and intervention services, while Feeding San Diego got $10,000 to connect people facing hunger with nutritious meals by maximizing food rescue.
$107K
$120
$106K
$110K
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Concentrated, relatively large grants to a small number of local institutions; few grants overall with emphasis on established nonprofits and higher-education entities rather than broad, distributed funding.
Notable grantees: UC San Diego, The McAlister Institute, Other San Diego–area higher education and behavioral health organizations (representative category)
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $25,000. The recent record shows repeated support for several recipients across more than one year, including UC San Diego, Boys to Men Mentoring Network, Natural High, and Dharma Bum Temple. That pattern suggests recurring relationships rather than one-off awards only. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The grant record also points to a mix of general support and tightly specified program funding.
The foundation’s giving is overwhelmingly California-focused, with 94% of grants going to recipients in its HQ state. Grants land most often in San Diego County and nearby communities, including La Jolla, San Diego, El Cajon, Spring Valley, and Del Mar. Outside California, the recent record includes one grant to The National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tennessee. The geographic pattern is local rather than national, with the strongest concentration in the San Diego area.
Recent grants show a strong emphasis on UC San Diego and other San Diego-area organizations serving students, youth, and community well-being. The portfolio includes higher education, substance use treatment, youth mentorship, food rescue, precision medicine, and faith-based or cultural organizations.
Yes. UC San Diego appears in both 2024 and 2023, Boys to Men Mentoring Network appears in both years as well, and Natural High and Dharma Bum Temple also each received support in 2023 and 2024. That indicates recurring relationships with several recipients.
Typical awards are in the mid-thousands to mid-tens of thousands: p25 is $5,000, median grant size is $10,000, and p75 is $25,000. The recent record also includes larger grants, including a $140,000 award and a $50,000 award.
Most grants go to California recipients, and 94% of grants were given to organizations in the HQ state. Recent recipient cities include La Jolla, San Diego, El Cajon, Spring Valley, Del Mar, and San Juan Capistrano.
The recent awards include student experience and campus research at UC San Diego, affordable substance abuse treatment at The McAlister Institute, evidence-based drug prevention for youth at Natural High, mentorship for young men at Boys to Men Mentoring Network, and food rescue through Feeding San Diego.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC SAN DIEGO | LA JOLLA, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | TO HELP STUDENT EXPERIENCE, RESEARCH ENDEAVORS, OR THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY |
| BOYS TO MEN MENTORING NETWORK | SPRING VALLEY, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT A COMMUNITY OF MENTORSHIP FOR YOUNG MEN |
| MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM | MYSTIC, CT | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HERRESHOFF MARINE MUSEUM | BRISTOL, RI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ISLAND CONSERVATION | SANTA CRUZ, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO RESTORE ISLANDS FOR NATURE AND PEOPLE WORLDWIDE |
| NATURAL HIGH | LA JOLLA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED DRUG PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR YOUTH |
| SAN DIEGO YACHT CLUB SAILING FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY | SACRAMENTO, CA | $2,425 | 2025 | TO PROTECT CALIFORNIA'S NATIVE PLANTS AND THEIR NATURAL HABITATS |
| RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FORGOTTEN CHILDRENS FUND | SEATTLE, WA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UC SAN DIEGO | LA JOLLA, CA | $140,000 | 2024 | TO HELP STUDENT EXPERIENCE, RESEARCH ENDEAVORS, OR THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY |
| THE MCALISTER INSTITUTE | EL CAJON, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT AND INTERVENTION SERVICES |
| SOTERIA PRECISION MEDICINE FOUNDATION INC | LA JOLLA, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE PRECISION MEDICINE FOR ALL |
| DHARMA BUM TEMPLE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO ADVOCATE FOR STUDY AND WORSHIP FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY |
| BOYS TO MEN MENTORING NETWORK | SPRING VALLEY, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT A COMMUNITY OF MENTORSHIP FOR YOUNG MEN |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF CALIFORNIA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATURAL HIGH | LA JOLLA, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED DRUG PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR YOUTH |
| FEEDING SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO CONNECT EVERY PERSON FACING HUNGER WITH NUTRITIOUS MEALS BY MAXIMIZING FOOD RESCUE |
| MEDICINE OF THE SOUL FOUNDATION | DEL MAR, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BARBERS FOR BAJA FOUNDATION | SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA | $1,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEXT STEP A MAP PROGRAM | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | TO ENSURE SUCCESS AMONG THE YOUTH BY INCREASING THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT'S SUCCESS THROUGH EDUCATION |
| BOYS TO MEN MENTORING NETWORK | SPRING VALLEY, CA | $25,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT A COMMUNITY OF MENTORSHIP FOR YOUNG MEN |
| UC SAN DIEGO | LA JOLLA, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | TO HELP STUDENT EXPERIENCE, RESEARCH ENDEAVORS, OR THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY |
| NATURAL HIGH | LA JOLLA, CA | $10,000 | 2023 | TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED DRUG PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR YOUTH |
| DHARMA BUM TEMPLE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $5,000 | 2023 | TO ADVOCATE FOR STUDY AND WORSHIP FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY |
| THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2023 | TO HELP EDUCATE THE WORLD, PRESERVE THE REGACY, AND CELEBRATE THE CENTRAL ROLE AFRICAN AMERICANS PLAY |
UC SAN DIEGO
$75,000TO HELP STUDENT EXPERIENCE, RESEARCH ENDEAVORS, OR THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY
TO SUPPORT A COMMUNITY OF MENTORSHIP FOR YOUNG MEN
HERRESHOFF MARINE MUSEUM
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATURAL HIGH
TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED DRUG PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR YOUTH
SAN DIEGO YACHT CLUB SAILING FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
TO PROTECT CALIFORNIA'S NATIVE PLANTS AND THEIR NATURAL HABITATS
RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
FORGOTTEN CHILDRENS FUND
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TO HELP STUDENT EXPERIENCE, RESEARCH ENDEAVORS, OR THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY
THE MCALISTER INSTITUTE
$50,000TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT AND INTERVENTION SERVICES
SOTERIA PRECISION MEDICINE FOUNDATION INC
$25,000TO PROVIDE PRECISION MEDICINE FOR ALL
DHARMA BUM TEMPLE
$25,000TO ADVOCATE FOR STUDY AND WORSHIP FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY
TO SUPPORT A COMMUNITY OF MENTORSHIP FOR YOUNG MEN
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF CALIFORNIA
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATURAL HIGH
$10,000TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED DRUG PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR YOUTH
TO CONNECT EVERY PERSON FACING HUNGER WITH NUTRITIOUS MEALS BY MAXIMIZING FOOD RESCUE
MEDICINE OF THE SOUL FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BARBERS FOR BAJA FOUNDATION
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
NEXT STEP A MAP PROGRAM
$1,000TO ENSURE SUCCESS AMONG THE YOUTH BY INCREASING THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT'S SUCCESS THROUGH EDUCATION
TO SUPPORT A COMMUNITY OF MENTORSHIP FOR YOUNG MEN
UC SAN DIEGO
$15,000TO HELP STUDENT EXPERIENCE, RESEARCH ENDEAVORS, OR THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY
NATURAL HIGH
$10,000TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED DRUG PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR YOUTH
DHARMA BUM TEMPLE
$5,000TO ADVOCATE FOR STUDY AND WORSHIP FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC
$5,000TO HELP EDUCATE THE WORLD, PRESERVE THE REGACY, AND CELEBRATE THE CENTRAL ROLE AFRICAN AMERICANS PLAY