San Diego Foundation – Connecting People Who Care to Causes That Matter
For 50 years, San Diegans have shown San Diego Foundation (SDF) that our home – our region – is a place of endless possibilities.
Thanks to partners across the county, SDF has granted $1.8 billion to nonprofits since its founding, helping to transform lives of those furthest from opportunity.
This includes Coastal Community Foundation partners. Based in Encinitas, Coastal joined forces with SDF one year ago to better support North County donors and nonprofits – now and for generations to come.
With Coastal, SDF supports community members’ intent to pool funds and “Live Here, Give Here”, building stronger communities in North County and beyond. A model for place-based philanthropy, SDF’s giving circles, supporting organizations and affiliates support nonprofits region-wide. Giving Circles and Regional Affiliates conducting annual grantmaking include: Hand to Hand, Safe and Stable Housing Fund, Solana Beach Fund, Carlsbad Charitable Foundation, Escondido Community Foundation, Oceanside Community Foundation, Ramona Community Foundation, and Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation.
Partnership
San Diego Foundation (SDF) is here to help expand your nonprofit’s reach, resources, and donor impact. As your partner in philanthropy, SDF offers tools to grow giving and build long-term sustainability. Check out: San Diego Foundation Nonprofit FAQs. And please ask us about opening a Nonprofit Fund to gain professional investment management and the ability to accept complex gifts like real estate, business interests, and stock.
We’re also here to help you work with your donors on legacy giving, offering expert guidance on planned gifts such as wills, retirement accounts, and trusts. Whether you’re growing an endowment or seeking major gifts, we’ll help align donor intent with tax-smart strategies that maximize impact.
Don’t forget to remind your donors that they can donate their Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to your nonprofit tax free! QCDs help clients offset RMD income taxes and increase charitable giving. Contact us at donorservices@sdfoundation.org to learn more about how we can partner.
Grant Funding
Throughout each year, SDF opens competitive grant cycles aligned with its strategic priorities and programs, helping nonprofits maximize their impact and transform lives. Some program grants are by invitation only due to specific criteria. Explore current funding opportunities: Apply for a Grant
Connecting with San Diego Foundation Donors
While SDF does not directly solicit donors, The Foundation works closely with donor-advised fund advisors who express interest in specific organizations or impact areas. Its team researches and prepares donor-requested reports using Candid and other resources, which is why SDF recommends that nonprofits create and update a Candid profile to stay visible to San Diego donors.
Stay Connected
Sign up for our Nonprofit e-Newsletter to stay updated on grant opportunities, philanthropy news, and updates from our SDF News blog. Follow us on Facebook.
Thank you for all you do to strengthen our community. As we celebrate 50 Years of Impact, let’s keep connecting people who care with causes that matter – to you, to our community, and to our future.