What is your Mission?

Leichtag Foundation honors the legacy of Lee and Toni Leichtag through igniting and inspiring vibrant Jewish life, advancing self-sufficiency and stimulating social entrepreneurship in coastal North San Diego County and Jerusalem.

Since its inception in 1991, the Leichtag Foundation has granted over $145 million to 496 different organizations. Of this amount, over $130 million has been granted since becoming independent in late 2007. About 21% have stayed in Encinitas.

What do you offer to the community?

Leichtag Foundation makes a positive impact in both North San Diego County and Jerusalem by advocating for systemic change, convening partners, strengthening grantee capacity, developing talent, leveraging resources, and forging connections between strategic areas.

The center of the Foundation’s physical operations is Leichtag Commons, a 67.5-acre agricultural property in Encinitas that is also home to The Hive, a nonprofit co-working and professional development hub, with currently over 30 Jewish, environmental, agricultural, and social justice nonprofits and social enterprises working together under one roof. Leichtag Commons is also home to Coastal Roots Farm (CRF), a nonprofit Jewish community farm and education center that provides organic produce for vulnerable communities in addition to hosting camps, educational programs, and events that celebrate farming, Jewish holidays, social justice, and Jewish wisdom. Last year, CRF grew nearly 80,000 pounds of organic food for more than 45,000 people using regenerative agriculture that reverses the impacts of climate change.

In 2018, Leichtag Foundation launched Jerusalem Philanthropic Initiatives (JPI), whose mission is to advance civil society and philanthropy in Jerusalem. Through efforts such as the Jerusalem Model, JPI works with civil society organizations, partner funders and other stakeholders to magnify impact in the realms of social cohesion, diversity and inclusion and transformational change.

What is currently your biggest focus?

In October, Leichtag Foundation’s partner Impact Cubed launched the Israel Emergency Grassroots Response Initiative. Through networks and trust built with leaders on the ground, Impact Cubed has special expertise in making change happen and getting services to those who need it most in trusted, effective, culturally competent ways. On October 7th, grassroots changemakers of all sectors in Israel became first responders in the face of catastrophe and devastation. Because of our 10+ years of experience working in the field of bottom-up change, Leichtag Foundation and Impact Cubed can quickly leverage resources for trusted, on-the-ground first responders where it is needed the most. Leichtag Foundation has supported the Initiative and our longstanding grassroots partners since October 7. Impact Cubed has provided regular updates on the shifting priority needs of leaders on the ground so that community members can stay informed and pivot their support through the Initiative accordingly.

What are your upcoming programs?

The Hive hosts monthly professional development workshops online and in-person. The Hive’s Fundraising Fridays offers an informal, virtual (and very popular!) hour for local colleagues in philanthropy to share advice on fundraising matters in partnership with NCPC and AFP San Diego. Find all upcoming events here.

What do you benefit most from being a member of NCPC?

Each of us at Leichtag Foundation appreciates the capacity building opportunities for our region’s social impact professionals and organizations that lead to a stronger field. We are also grateful for the collaborations and partnerships that enhance the work we do and the outcomes we achieve.

Learn more at https://leichtag.org

The Catalent San Diego’s Mission and Vision:

At Catalent San Diego, we are dedicated to two things:

Catalent San Diego’s mission is to develop, manufacture, and supply products that help people live better healthier lives. We work closely with innovative biotech (worldwide) that have life-changing small molecules or peptides. In the San Diego facility, we help biotech turn these molecules into capsules, tablets or injectables to be used in ‘first in human’ clinical trials.

What do you offer to the community?

We have a long tradition at Catalent San Diego of volunteerism with our employees through our ‘Catalent Cares’ program to the donation of grants for non-profits that have heavy, positive impacts in our community. We willingly give our time and treasure to ensure that our community knows that we could not be here without them. We not only help construct lifesaving treatments (with our partner biotech) for those in need, but we also give back in a more immediate and direct way.

Have you made a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within your organization/company, and if so, how are you demonstrating it?

At Catalent, we foster an environment where individuals are welcomed, appreciated, heard, and respected, where differences and similarities are valued. We aim to create a collaborative and engaging workplace that drives innovation and excellence. From our experience, employees with different backgrounds and experiences working together can yield better decisions, driving innovation and excellence in everything we do. Our diversity and inclusion (D&I) council break down silos where people feel they can share their ideas freely and take considered risks, often leading to higher contributions. We frequently have in-depth discussions about the direction of the D&I strategy, priority areas, and the groundwork that needs to be done across the organization. Our D&I program creates a working environment that provides more innovation, better access to talent, and additional opportunities for continued career advancement. Collaboration through trust, respect, and empathy are key elements for success. The uniqueness of every employee makes Catalent an inclusive place where we not only realize our dreams, but also the dreams of our customers and the patients we serve.

Learn more at https://www.catalent.com/our-locations/north-america/san-diego-usa/

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD, Oceanside’s Mission and Vision:

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD, Oceanside provides confidential, high-quality therapy, and local referral support services to post-9/11 veterans, service members*National Guard and Reserves, and their family members, including spouse or partner, children, parents, siblings, caregivers, and others. Care is available regardless of discharge status, role while in uniform, or combat experience. Insurance or ability to pay will never be a barrier to care. *TRICARE referral needed for active duty.

Who We Serve

• Veterans: Veterans who have served in the United States Armed Services, including the National Guard and Reserves, with a focus on post-9/11 veterans. Care is available regardless of discharge status, role while in uniform, combat experience, ability to pay or insurance.
• Military Families: Family members of post-9/11 veterans and service members, including spouse or partner, children, parents, siblings, caregivers, and others.
• Service members: Service members of the United States Armed Services and National Guard and Reserves, regardless of activation status. Active duty service members require a TRICARE referral. Referral is required prior to being seen for individual therapy or medication management, but no referral is necessary for couples or family therapy. Service members can obtain this referral from their military treatment facility (primary care clinic or mental health clinic). Our clinicians will not communicate with commanders/supervisors.

Case Management

We also focus on meeting the needs of our clients to improve the quality of their life with brief case management and local resource connection, including information about VA benefits, as well as Transition Services, Caregiver Support, Childcare, Education, Employment, Legal Assistance, Personal Finances and more.

For more information, visit vvsd.net/cohenclinicoceanside.

The Grauer School’s Mission and Vision:

The Grauer School, a grade 7-12 independent, college preparatory school, celebrates 32 years in Encinitas. At The Grauer School, we prioritize our students’ curiosity, independence, and joy, and we value relationships above all else. Our teachers know their students. They make time to listen and to guide, face-to-face. As a result, Grauer students develop the courage and freedom to cultivate their curiosity, master academic requirements, and engage in their school community. In many ways, this is the root of our success. Our kids learn to think, to nurture their unique ideas, to find joy in the process of learning, and ultimately to create the world they want to live in. Imagine the possibilities.

The Grauer School is a proud member of NCPC and welcomes the community to join us for a Discover Grauer Day school-day tour, which is a great opportunity for families to visit our campus and classrooms while school is in session. Through small group tours, families can experience “a day in the life” of a Grauer student. We look forward to having the opportunity to showcase our joyful community, our wonderful teachers, and our culture of relationship-based learning to your family. Discover Grauer Days take place from 9:00am to 10:15am on January 11, January 22, January 30, and February 7. To learn more about The Grauer School and to RSVP, visit www.grauerschool.com or call 760-944-6777.