Our mission is to inspire enduring philanthropy and enable community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region.
The San Diego Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by a $13.4 million grant to UC San Diego Foundation for the Halicioglu Data Science Institute, a signal that the funder backs large-scale university and research investments alongside community relief and local infrastructure. Across its recent grants, the foundation supports education, children and families, environment, housing, workforce development, crisis philanthropy, affinity funds, and scholarships, with awards that range from operating support to capital and program funding. It also shows a clear pattern of multi-part partnerships with San Diego institutions and regional intermediaries. Several of the largest awards go to organizations in La Jolla and San Diego, including Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Sharp Healthcare Foundation, University of San Diego, and UC San Diego. The grant descriptions point to both place-based priorities and thematic interests: data science, artificial intelligence, healthcare, expanded learning, entrepreneurship, and native biodiversity. The foundation also uses community foundation and charitable fund partners, which suggests a mix of direct institutional support and donor-advised or affiliated fund activity within a regional grantmaking model.
Education equity appears through a $2.7 million grant to California Community Foundation for “Expanded Learning Advancing Educational Equity,” paired with similar grants to Inland Empire Community Foundation and Community Foundation Sonoma County for the same eight-county strategy. In youth development, the foundation gave $1.66 million to YMCA of San Diego County for YMCA Day Camp and $1.38 million for Kids to Camp. Workforce and entrepreneurship show up in a $1.68 million award to Local Initiatives Support Corporation for the Seed Entrepreneurship Program and technical assistance. In natural resources, the Zoological Society of San Diego received $1.30 million for SDZWA Native Biodiversity Corps, linking the environment portfolio to conservation and native biodiversity. Healthcare also appears in a $1.91 million grant to Scripps Health Foundation to support the build of six hospital rooms in Scripps Health La Jolla Tower 2.
Typical grant size is $10,500 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $77,935 at the 75th percentile, while the recent awards list includes several multimillion-dollar commitments. The pattern includes both one-time project grants and repeated support to the same institutions across years, such as UC San Diego Foundation, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Southwestern Community College District, and YMCA of San Diego County. The foundation is a mixed community foundation, and its recent awards include direct grants, general support, capital/infrastructure funding, and technical assistance. No application process is shown in the provided data.
$94.3M
$1.7B
$196.9M
$150.8M
Most grants fall between $11K and $78K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$11K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$78K
MARK A STUART
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Grantmaking is highly concentrated in California, which accounts for 74% of grants, and the top recipient city cluster is San Diego and La Jolla. Other California recipients include Chula Vista, Riverside, Los Angeles, Santa Rosa, Pasadena, Rancho Santa Fe, and Escondido. Outside California, recent grants also reached Orlando, Boston, New York, and Washington, DC. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the provided data.
The recent grants show support for education and expanded learning, children’s programs, environment and biodiversity, housing and workforce development, crisis philanthropy, and healthcare. Examples include an eight-county expanded-learning strategy, youth camp funding, native biodiversity work, entrepreneurship technical assistance, and hospital room construction.
The typical grant size is $10,500 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $77,935 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes a small number of very large awards in the multi-million-dollar range.
No. While many grants go to San Diego and La Jolla organizations, the recent list also includes recipients in Chula Vista, Riverside, Los Angeles, Santa Rosa, Pasadena, Rancho Santa Fe, Escondido, Orlando, Boston, New York, and Washington, DC. California receives most grants overall, at 74%.
Yes. Several organizations appear more than once in the recent grants list, including UC San Diego Foundation, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Southwestern Community College District, YMCA of San Diego County, and University of San Diego. That pattern points to repeated support rather than isolated one-off awards.
Yes, but the recent grants list is overwhelmingly California-centered. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, and the non-California awards in the recent list include organizations in Orlando, Boston, New York, and Washington, DC.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from San Diego Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations conducting environmental research relevant to San Diego region; check specific annual solicitation for eligibility details.
Deadline: Annual (check program page for current deadline)
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR MONTEREY COUNTY | MONTEREY, CA | $4,956,124 | 2026 | FOR THE "BOB" FUND AT CFMC. |
| UC SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION | LA JOLLA, CA | $3,739,925 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| POLICY & INNOVATION CENTER | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,195,000 | 2026 | FOR SUPPORT OF THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL POLICY AND INNOVATION CENTER PER AGREEMENT. $1,250,000 GRANT TO BE PAID $250,000 PER YEAR FOR 5 YEARS IN FY22 - FY26 |
| JUST TRANSITION ALLIANCE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,912,356 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT JUST TRANSITION ALLIANCES TIME AS PART OF THE TCC POST AWARD CONSULTATION (PAC) |
| CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,500,000 | 2026 | TO COMPLETE MAINTENANCE DREDGING AT BATIQUITOS LAGOON |
| WTA FOUNDATION INC | ST PETERSBURG, FL | $1,500,000 | 2026 | FOR GLOBAL WOMEN'S HEALTH SUPPORT |
| UC SAN DIEGO | LA JOLLA, CA | $1,492,102 | 2026 | 1059 - FRAHIWOT LEGESS - A18300514 |
| CAMPANILE FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,358,614 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE AUXILIARY ORGANIZATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,205,000 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,197,224 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,121,645 | 2026 | FOR SCHOLARSHIPS |
| LAZARIAN WORLD HOMES | EAGLE, ID | $974,388 | 2026 | TO BUILD ARRIAGA CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE |
| LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORPORATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $961,666 | 2026 | A SDG&E ECONOMIC PROSPERITY GRANT TO SUPPORT THE 2024 SEED ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE |
| FOREVER BALBOA PARK | SAN DIEGO, CA | $958,341 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE BOTANICAL BUILDING AND GARDENS PROJECT: PHASE 2 EXTERIOR GARDENS RESTORATION, ATTN: JACQUELINE HIGGINS & PHILLIP SAMMULI |
| SAN DIEGO HABITAT CONSERVANCY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $929,175 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DATA SCIENCE ALLIANCE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $900,000 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $890,450 | 2026 | FOR SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YMCA OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $841,810 | 2026 | FOR THE YMCA MISSION VALLEY SUMMERBRIDGE PROGRAM |
| FLEET SCIENCE CENTER | SAN DIEGO, CA | $742,183 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT, THIS GRANT IS FROM THE REUBEN H. FLEET FOUNDATION FUND AT THE DIRECTION OF SUSAN WELSCH |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $714,220 | 2026 | FOR IMMIGRANT SERVICES ($40,000) AND SAFE PARKING ($25,000) |
| MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK FOUNDATION INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $699,813 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $621,841 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SCRIPPS HEALTH FOUNDATION | LA JOLLA, CA | $579,311 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN DIEGO RIVER PARK FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $502,505 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SACRAMENTO REGION COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | SACRAMENTO, CA | $500,000 | 2026 | AT THE REQUEST OF U.S. BANK FOR THE LAUNCH AND SUPPORT OF A FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM FOR LOW-MODERATE INCOME SACRAMENTO RESIDENTS |
| INLAND EMPIRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | RIVERSIDE, CA | $500,000 | 2026 | AT THE REQUEST OF U.S. BANK FOR THE LAUNCH AND SUPPORT OF A FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM FOR LOW-MODERATE INCOME INLAND EMPIRE RESIDENTS |
| RICHMOND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | RICHMOND, CA | $500,000 | 2026 | AT THE REQUEST OF U.S. BANK FOR THE LAUNCH AND SUPPORT OF A FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM FOR LOW-MODERATE INCOME RICHMOND RESIDENTS |
| EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION | OMASHA, NE | $500,000 | 2026 | FOR MEDIA GROWTH SUPPORT |
| MONARCH SCHOOL PROJECT | SAN DIEGO, CA | $440,083 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM | SAN DIEGO, CA | $422,106 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HORIZON CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP | RANCHO SANTA FE, CA | $400,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST WITH THE NEW GRASS ATHLETIC FIELDS |
| MULTIDISCIPLINARY ASSOCIATION FOR PSYCHEDELIC STUDIES | SAN JOSE, CA | $385,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT PSYCHEDELIC PARENTHOOD COMMUNITY |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $382,750 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION | SACRAMENTO, CA | $374,853 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHICANO FEDERATION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $370,210 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | SAN DIEGO, CA | $353,701 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HAMMOND CLIMATE SOLUTIONS FOUNDATION | LA JOLLA, CA | $350,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE INSTALLATION OF AS MUCH SOLAR CAPACITY AS POSSIBLE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE |
| SBCS | CHULA VISTA, CA | $342,400 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE |
| ENDANGERED HABITATS CONSERVANCY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $335,575 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF STELZER MITIGATION SITE BY LAND OWNER/MANAGER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPROVED FINAL HMP/PAR FOR STELZER NORTH |
| ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION | NATIONAL CITY, CA | $332,072 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JUST IN TIME FOR FOSTER YOUTH | SAN DIEGO, CA | $331,528 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL HOPE BUILDERS | ARVADA, CO | $323,208 | 2026 | TO BUILD 6 CLASSROOM SCHOOL - LA JIGUA COPAN - HONDURAS |
| INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES | ESCONDIDO, CA | $318,165 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $314,512 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO | LA JOLLA, CA | $307,486 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE UCSD LABOR SUMMER PROGRAM, ATTN: SATOMI RASH-ZEIGLER |
| INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NATIONAL CITY, CA | $305,620 | 2026 | GRANT FOR THE LATINA GIVING CIRCLE TO SUPPORT FIRE RELIEF EFFORTS IN LA |
| OCEAN DISCOVERY INSTITUTE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $297,748 | 2026 | FOR OCEAN DISCOVERY INSTITUTE'S PARTICIPATION IN SDF'S SCHOLARSHIP DOCUMENTARY AND TO SUPPORT STIPEND TO SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT |
| THE ESCONDIDO CREEK CONSERVANCY | ESCONDIDO, CA | $291,231 | 2026 | A SEMI-ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION FROM TECC OPERATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND |
| KAREN ORGANIZATION OF SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $286,700 | 2026 | A MATCHING GRANT |
| SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $282,900 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
POLICY & INNOVATION CENTER
$2,195,000FOR SUPPORT OF THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL POLICY AND INNOVATION CENTER PER AGREEMENT. $1,250,000 GRANT TO BE PAID $250,000 PER YEAR FOR 5 YEARS IN FY22 - FY26
TO SUPPORT JUST TRANSITION ALLIANCES TIME AS PART OF THE TCC POST AWARD CONSULTATION (PAC)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE
$1,500,000TO COMPLETE MAINTENANCE DREDGING AT BATIQUITOS LAGOON
WTA FOUNDATION INC
$1,500,000FOR GLOBAL WOMEN'S HEALTH SUPPORT
UC SAN DIEGO
$1,492,1021059 - FRAHIWOT LEGESS - A18300514
LAZARIAN WORLD HOMES
$974,388TO BUILD ARRIAGA CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
A SDG&E ECONOMIC PROSPERITY GRANT TO SUPPORT THE 2024 SEED ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
TO SUPPORT THE BOTANICAL BUILDING AND GARDENS PROJECT: PHASE 2 EXTERIOR GARDENS RESTORATION, ATTN: JACQUELINE HIGGINS & PHILLIP SAMMULI
SAN DIEGO HABITAT CONSERVANCY
$929,175FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
DATA SCIENCE ALLIANCE
$900,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
$890,450FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT, THIS GRANT IS FROM THE REUBEN H. FLEET FOUNDATION FUND AT THE DIRECTION OF SUSAN WELSCH
FOR IMMIGRANT SERVICES ($40,000) AND SAFE PARKING ($25,000)
MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK FOUNDATION INC
$699,813FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
AT THE REQUEST OF U.S. BANK FOR THE LAUNCH AND SUPPORT OF A FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM FOR LOW-MODERATE INCOME SACRAMENTO RESIDENTS
AT THE REQUEST OF U.S. BANK FOR THE LAUNCH AND SUPPORT OF A FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM FOR LOW-MODERATE INCOME INLAND EMPIRE RESIDENTS
AT THE REQUEST OF U.S. BANK FOR THE LAUNCH AND SUPPORT OF A FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM FOR LOW-MODERATE INCOME RICHMOND RESIDENTS
SAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
$422,106FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
HORIZON CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
$400,000TO ASSIST WITH THE NEW GRASS ATHLETIC FIELDS
TO SUPPORT PSYCHEDELIC PARENTHOOD COMMUNITY
HAMMOND CLIMATE SOLUTIONS FOUNDATION
$350,000TO SUPPORT THE INSTALLATION OF AS MUCH SOLAR CAPACITY AS POSSIBLE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE
ENDANGERED HABITATS CONSERVANCY
$335,575TO SUPPORT MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF STELZER MITIGATION SITE BY LAND OWNER/MANAGER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPROVED FINAL HMP/PAR FOR STELZER NORTH
INTERNATIONAL HOPE BUILDERS
$323,208TO BUILD 6 CLASSROOM SCHOOL - LA JIGUA COPAN - HONDURAS
THE SALVATION ARMY
$314,512FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO
$307,486TO SUPPORT THE UCSD LABOR SUMMER PROGRAM, ATTN: SATOMI RASH-ZEIGLER
GRANT FOR THE LATINA GIVING CIRCLE TO SUPPORT FIRE RELIEF EFFORTS IN LA
FOR OCEAN DISCOVERY INSTITUTE'S PARTICIPATION IN SDF'S SCHOLARSHIP DOCUMENTARY AND TO SUPPORT STIPEND TO SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
THE ESCONDIDO CREEK CONSERVANCY
$291,231A SEMI-ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION FROM TECC OPERATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND
