News of Strengthening Philanthropy

One of SDNEDC’s key objectives is to bring North County closer together. The more we collaborate and cooperate, the more we accomplish—creating something greater than the sum of its parts.

With that goal in mind, SDNEDC and the Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos and Oceanside Chambers hosted a very successful study trip to Austin, TX from March 19-21. We focused on the economic and chamber activities in Round Rock, TX, one of America’s fastest-growing suburbs that shares many similarities with North County.

Led by Mayor Rebecca Jones and Councilmembers María Nuñez (San Marcos), Jeff Fox (Vista), and Kevin Shein (Carlsbad), the 20-person delegation took deep dives into topics like:

· How Round Rock organizes its economic development and workforce efforts to increase private and public sector partnerships to drive prosperity.

· How to leverage public sector investment in parks and active open spaces to enhance economic development, connectivity, and quality of life amenities.

· How the brewing industry in Texas is adapting to changing consumer preferences.

· How the success of South by Southwest can be traced to two key goals—meeting a real need to boost activity for local venues during a slow season and fostering creative conversations and connections.

· How Mobile Loaves and Fishes is innovating in providing services to the homeless.

As important as the panels and presentations were, the real impact came from the deepening connections among the trip delegates. Study trips provide a unique opportunity to get away from San Diego and spend quality time with other stewards of our region while honing our North County stories.

The 2025 North County Economic Study Tour delegation was led by elected officials Mayor Rebecca Jones (San Marcos) and Councilmembers María Nuñez (San Marcos), Jeff Fox (Vista), and Kevin Shein (Carlsbad). The 20-person delegation collaborated with Round Rock and Williamson County elected officials, pictured here.

We are already planning the next trip for 2026. If you have an idea for a suburban community that would be good for us to visit, please let us know.

Keep an eye out for announcements about the 2026 North County Economic Study tour – we expect to sell out quickly next year!

For more information, contact Erik Bruvold, CEO of San Diego North EDC, info@sdnedc.org

https://www.sdnedc.org

San Diego Foundation believes in just, equitable and resilient communities where every San Diegan can prosper, thrive and feel like they belong. We partner with donors, nonprofits and regional leaders to co-create solutions that respond to community needs and strengthen San Diego. Since our founding in 1975, our community foundation has granted $1.8 billion to nonprofits to improve quality of life in San Diego County and beyond.

This year, San Diego Foundation is celebrating its 50^th anniversary. Throughout 2025, we are sponsoring events throughout our region, from North County to the South Bay. You can see more information on our sponsored events at SDFoundation.org/events.

Last October, we announced the most ambitious grantmaking and fundraising undertaking in our history—the Fifty & Forward Campaign. With the help of donors and community partners, we will grant $500 million to realize our region’s greatest opportunities in three key areas: education, children and families and the environment—and raise $1 billion to help shape our community’s future.

In February 2025, we announced a major Fifty & Forward milestone—we have granted $335 million to local nonprofits and fundraised $880 million for the next 50 years. Learn more about Fifty & Forward at SDFoundation.org/50.

San Diego Foundation has opened registration for the San Diego Fundraising Conference presented by PNC Bank. The event will return to the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel on Sept. 18 – 19, 2025, and is now expanded to a two-day, in-person experience offering insights from fundraising experts, thought leaders and local colleagues.

With the theme “Breaking Barriers, Building Futures,” this year’s conference will focus on strengthening nonprofit capacity and building sustainable fundraising strategies. One of this year’s keynote speakers is Nathan Chappell, a thought leader, public speaker, author of “The Generosity Crisis,” AI inventor, and recognized globally as an expert on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and generosity.

Early bird local registration is $279 through May 31, and is available for nonprofit professionals that support San Diego County nonprofits.

We are excited to announce our new partnership with National University Fundraising Academy, bringing more dynamic topics to this year’s programming. As a 2025 conference sponsor, National University Fundraising Academy will help make this learning and networking opportunity accessible to more professionals in the nonprofit sector.

Nonprofit professionals are also invited to submit speaker proposals. The call for speakers is open through April 25, offering local leaders the chance to share case studies, tools, and lessons learned that can benefit peers across the region. Submit a speaker proposal today.

Previous conferences have brought together more than 800 nonprofit leaders from across the region. With this year’s expanded format and strong lineup of speakers and sessions, early registration is recommended.

Learn more and register today at SDFoundation.org/SDFC.

What do you appreciate about NCPC membership?

We believe close collaboration between nonprofits, philanthropists, businesses, the government, and local organizations – including strategy and resource sharing – is essential for meaningfully reducing homelessness.

What is your mission?

The Lucky Duck Foundation’s mission is to prevent and alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County. The Lucky Duck Foundation endeavors to apply sound business principles, strategic collaborations, and a bias for action to fund, activate and lead programs designed to prevent and alleviate homelessness throughout San Diego County. And our co-founders match all donations up to $1.5 million per year.

On March 7 of this year the Lucky Duck Foundation’s Food & Water initiative eclipsed the milestone of 2 million meals distributed to San Diego County’s unsheltered homeless population. Through the program, non-perishable meals and water are assembled by volunteers, such as our Lucky Ducklings youth volunteerism group, and LDF staff coordinate with local outreach organizations to distribute the packed meals throughout San Diego County.

Overall, the program delivers meals to as many as 500 unsheltered individuals daily. The meals serve multiple purposes: providing life-saving sustenance to unsheltered San Diegans, while also better equipping outreach workers to build trust and rapport to help them into supportive services. According to a survey of outreach workers, 93% believe the meals are life-saving and 100% believe the meals make them more effective outreach workers.

On March 31, the Lucky Duck Foundation announced an investment of $689,000 to extend and expand the “Pathways” program at the San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE).

Pathways supports individuals experiencing homelessness by providing 75+ certificate and job training programs, paid internships, job development services, case management, transportation, access to community college, and more, equipping participants to secure long-term, livable wage employment.

Pathways serves individuals in any state of homelessness and partners with any regional social service provider. It is expected more than 225 individuals will benefit from Pathways over the next two years.

What other valuable contributions do you offer to the community?

The Lucky Duck Foundation has funded more than 25 different employment and job training programs benefiting more than 1,800 people; purchased and installed industrial tent structures that shelter more than 450 individuals nightly; distributed more than 17,000 winter coats that transform into sleeping bags; removed more than 200 tons of trash through “Cash for Trash” program which pays homeless individuals $2 per bag of trash cleaned up; created “Shamrocks & Shipwrecks,” a public grading system to evaluate politician’s effectiveness in preventing and reducing homelessness; and much more.

https://www.luckyduckfoundation.org/

What do you benefit most from being an NCPC member?

MAAC values the opportunity to collaborate with fellow nonprofit organizations and access training that enhances our learning, growth, and impact in the community.

What is your mission?

Maximizing self-sufficiency with families and individuals through high-quality programs and advocacy in our communities.

What valuable contributions do you offer to the community?

MAAC is a leading provider of comprehensive social services in San Diego County, serving over 100,000 individuals every year in five key areas: Economic Development, Education, Health & Well-being, Housing, and Advocacy & Leadership Development.

Significant accomplishments and highlights–

This past year, MAAC has achieved significant milestones in various sectors, making impactful contributions to both the community and the environment.

• Through our Electric Vehicle Access Program, we helped secure $551,000 in incentives and rebates, making sustainable transportation more accessible and affordable for our community.
• We proudly celebrated the success of the first cohort of our Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program, a workforce development initiative designed to support individuals pursuing careers in child development. Of the 20 apprentices who completed the program, an impressive 90% secured job placements, marking a significant milestone in building a strong, skilled early childhood education workforce.
• MAAC invested $5M in 5,071 households through our Energy, Water Bill Assistance and Weatherization Programs, providing safe and energy efficient homes for our communities.
• MAAC currently has six affordable housing communities in the pipeline, creating a total of 894 new homes. Most recently, we celebrated the opening of Ventana al Sur, a new senior affordable housing community that provides safe, stable housing and vital resources for older adults. This development features 101 units, with 25 reserved for seniors experiencing homelessness, reinforcing our commitment to housing accessibility and community well-being.
• MAAC’s wellness programs provided DUI education to 1,118 individuals and supported 110 participants on their journey to sobriety through MAAC recovery homes, fostering healthier and more resilient communities.

Our dedication to serving the community has been recognized with several esteemed awards, including Organización Hermana del Año by MANA de North County San Diego, the Blue Shield Promise Leading the Way Award for Equitable Access to Care, and the Large Business/Non-Profit of the Year Award by Heroes of Vista. These honors reflect the impact of our work and our unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and families across the region.

Upcoming events–

To all guests, supporters, and friends of MAAC, we extend a warm invitation to our 60^th Anniversary Soirée! Join us on Thursday, October 23, 2025, for an unforgettable evening filled with cheer, entertainment, and the spirit of community. For more information on sponsorship opportunities and to purchase tickets, please visit MAACproject.org/soiree2025.

https://maacproject.org/

 

KOCT is a nationally award-winning Local Community Television Station and has remained one
of the last fulfillments of unbiased Public Broadcasting in the United States of America for over
40 years strong. We are the Voice of North County, with two designated networks on COX
COMMUNITY CHANNEL 18 for Arts, Culture and History and COX GOVERNMENT CHANNEL 19,
designated for Education, Local & Statewide Government News. You can also watch our 24/7
Live Stream and Video on Demand globally at KOCT.org.

We have proven throughout the test of time we are a driving force behind informing our
surrounding community and as a dedicated non-profit organization, our mission remains clear.
From Live Election Forums to City & Government updates, to highlighting diverse nonprofits &
businesses, hands on youth internship programs, civic engagement, government updates,
economic highlights & quality content, making an impact in our thriving daily lives is our
passion

Let your voice be heard and your mission be seen through the lens of our Award-Winning
Production Team. We invite you to join our Team of Creatives and get your company or
organizations message out. Check out the many affordable ways to get your message out!
PRODUCE A PSA, PODCAST/CAMCAST STUDIO, MAKE A MISSION STATEMENT, HIRE TEAM KOCT and let your voice be heard!

 

Founded in 1983, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP) was created to ensure that vulnerable and underserved San Diegans have access to free legal help. By connecting individuals in need with private attorneys and legal professionals who generously donate their time and expertise, SDVLP serves as a critical bridge to justice for those who cannot afford legal representation. Today, we are proud to be the largest provider of pro bono civil legal services in San Diego County.

Each year, SDVLP serves more than 6,000 clients – primarily women and children – facing serious legal challenges that threaten their safety, stability, and well-being. These include survivors of domestic violence seeking protection, tenants at risk of eviction, elderly individuals experiencing abuse, families navigating guardianship matters, and more. Our goal is to help clients achieve safety, security, and long-term stability through compassionate, trauma-informed legal advocacy.

We operate more than a dozen programs and clinics throughout the region, providing services both in person and remotely. SDVLP also maintains strong partnerships with Family Justice Centers in downtown San Diego and San Marcos, offering legal assistance on-site to survivors of domestic violence and other crimes.

Our client base is diverse and includes some of the most vulnerable members of our community, such as veterans, seniors, people living with HIV/AIDS, and children in foster care. We also assist small businesses and nonprofits serving disadvantaged communities through our Microbusiness and Nonprofit Support Program (MNSP).

MNSP provides pro bono legal assistance to small businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve historically marginalized communities. From entity formation and contracts to employment policies and intellectual property, MNSP helps local changemakers navigate complex legal issues so they can focus on what they do best: serving the community.

Each year, SDVLP leverages more than 16,000 hours of donated legal services from volunteer attorneys and legal professionals. Together, we are working to build a more just and equitable San Diego, where every individual and organization has the legal support they need not just to survive, but to thrive.

For more information, visit https://sdvlp.org/

MP Consulting services encompass strategic planning, retreat facilitation, comprehensive campaign consulting and strengthening Board engagement. At MP Consulting, our purpose is to be your trusted advisor and help build a strong nonprofit Board and staff to master the art of Philanthropy.

Our promise is to creatively inspire your Board to develop and implement strategies to increase resources and ensure your organization’s leadership and investors are working together.

MP Consulting will listen to what is important to you – assess and apply your strengths – recommend achievable approaches – and be with you through implementation.

As President of MP Consulting, Marianne Pekala, CFRE has more than 20 plus years as a development professional highly devoted to individual giving, consultant, educator, and implementor.

Marianne is a BoardSource Certified Board Trainer and a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE). Since 1999, she has proudly served on the Board of Directors of North County Philanthropy Council (NCPC) and is currently chairing its Strategic Planning Committee. Marianne has also served on the Boards of the Pat Tillman Foundation, HD South, and Gilbert Leadership.

MP Consulting has worked with local and national nonprofits with all size budgets to help them become stronger, resilient sustainable organizations. Marianne cares about your philanthropy and how it impacts your nonprofit. You can reach Marianne at https://www.mpekalaconsulting.com/.

 

MP Consulting services encompass strategic planning, retreat facilitation, comprehensive campaign consulting and strengthening Board engagement. At MP Consulting, our purpose is to be your trusted advisor and help build a strong nonprofit Board and staff to master the art of Philanthropy.

Our promise is to creatively inspire your Board to develop and implement strategies to increase resources and ensure your organization’s leadership and investors are working together.

MP Consulting will listen to what is important to you – assess and apply your strengths – recommend achievable approaches – and be with you through implementation.

As President of MP Consulting, Marianne Pekala, CFRE has more than 20 plus years as a development professional highly devoted to individual giving, consultant, educator, and implementor.

Marianne is a BoardSource Certified Board Trainer and a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE). Since 1999, she has proudly served on the Board of Directors of North County Philanthropy Council (NCPC) and is currently chairing its Strategic Planning Committee. Marianne has also served on the Boards of the Pat Tillman Foundation, HD South, and Gilbert Leadership.

MP Consulting has worked with local and national nonprofits with all size budgets to help them become stronger, resilient sustainable organizations. Marianne cares about your philanthropy and how it impacts your nonprofit. You can reach Marianne at https://www.mpekalaconsulting.com/.

 

Valuable Connected Care:

Meeting the health and wellness needs of the community

Vista Community Clinic (VCC) is committed to providing Valuable Connected Care, ensuring that individuals and families receive high-quality, compassionate healthcare. Serving North County San Diego, Riverside County, and Orange County, VCC offers a comprehensive range of services, including adult and family medicine, women’s health, pediatrics, dental care, behavioral health, cardiology, optometry, acupuncture, chiropractic care, senior care, and cancer screenings.

Beyond clinical care, VCC prioritizes community well-being through free health education programs open to all residents. The clinic also extends its reach with the VCC Mobile Medical Unit, bringing essential healthcare services directly to underserved populations. Furthering its commitment to wellness, VCC launched the Mobile Food Market, providing fresh, nutritious food to local families and reinforcing the vital connection between proper nutrition and overall health.

Continuing its mission to expand access to care, VCC recently opened VCC: Vista Village Pediatrics, a dedicated pediatric facility designed to meet the growing needs of young patients in North San Diego County. This expansion reflects VCC’s ongoing efforts to ensure families have access to high-quality, specialized care.

Over the past year, VCC’s dedication has been recognized with several prestigious awards. For the second consecutive year, the clinic earned the Gold Health Center Quality Leader badge from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), placing it among the top-performing health centers nationwide. Additionally, VCC received national recognition from the American Diabetes Association for its Diabetes Self-Management Education & Support (DSMES) Clinic, which empowers patients with essential tools to manage their health effectively.

Looking ahead, we are excited to host our Annual Gala on Saturday, October 4th, at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside. This fundraising event will help expand health and wellness services while supporting the Karen Black Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to aspiring healthcare professionals.

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or more information, please contact Betsy Heightman at betsy@vcc.org. Join us for an unforgettable night of philanthropy and celebration as we work together to build a healthier future for all.

www.vistacommunityclinic.org

What happens when a community comes together with compassion and purpose? Together, we nourish, empower and transform the lives of our neighbors in need. Community Resource Center (CRC) is a proud Premier Member of North County Philanthropy Council (NCPC). We’re excited to share how we’re creating lasting change across our community and how you can be part of the transformation.

OUR MISSION

For 45 years, CRC has been serving our North County neighbors—providing food, shelter, housing assistance, counseling and vital services to those at risk of homelessness, including survivors of domestic violence. Impacting more than 8,600 individuals last year, our mission is to help our neighbors create paths to healthy food, stable homes and safe relationships.

OUR IMPACT

 

View CRC’s Full Annual Impact Here

 

BUILDING A HEALING-CENTERED CAMPUS

CRC’s One Community • One Heart Capital Campaign will transform our campus and the lives of our neighbors in need for years to come. We’re grateful for our capital campaign donors who have invested in the transformation. Learn more about our vision and how to get involved: https://oneheart-crc.org/.

 

 

 

GET INVOLVED WITH CRC

We invite you to engage with us!

• CRC Tour: Join us for a tour of our Food & Nutrition Center. Register here for this free tour
• 30^th Annual CRC Tea:  Join us on Saturday, April 5 at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club (tickets available until March 19) or explore our online silent auction opening on April 1!

For more information about how you can get involved with Community Resource Center, please visit our website at www.crcncc.org. You can also follow us on social media at @SanDiegoCRC.

Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-877-633-1112