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FAQs

  1. What is the relationship between The Foundation and nonprofits?
  2. How do I get my organization in front of donors who give through The Foundation?
  3. Who can apply for a grant through The San Diego Foundation?
  4. What is BetterGiving? How do I get started?
  5. My organization’s mission and activities address more than one of The San Diego Foundation’s grant making areas. What should I do?
  6. I prefer paper application forms to those that are online. Can I submit a paper copy instead?

 

FAQS

1. What is the relationship between The Foundation and nonprofits?

The Foundation funds the work of nonprofits through gifts to causes and organizations important to donors and competitive grantmaking to fund strategic change and impact in San Diego County. Our purpose is to improve the quality of life across San Diego County. We could not improve San Diego without nonprofits, philanthropy, and all those seeking to better San Diego through the "San Diego Way."  The Foundation needs nonprofits to continue their good work to improve the quality of life in San Diego.
 
2. How do I get my organization in front of donors who give through The Foundation?
The Foundation receives requests for community expertise from current donors and those looking to give in San Diego. To ensure your organization is showcased, complete a BetterGiving portrait. BetterGiving allows us to share information about your organization with the community, Foundation donors, and those requesting information about nonprofits in the community. Learn more about BetterGiving, which is the most effective way for a nonprofit to educate the community, Foundation staff and donors on the work of your organization.
 
3. Who can apply for a grant through The San Diego Foundation?
Any 501 (c) (3) organization located in or providing services to San Diego County is eligible to apply for a grant through The San Diego Foundation. Organizations working with a fiscal sponsor, willing to administer the grant if awarded, that meets these criteria are also eligible. We do not accept unsolicited proposals. Please review the competitive grant opportunities available within our Grants & Scholarships section and in BetterGiving, a resource to enhance effective philanthropy locally. For general grant questions please contact Kerri Favela at Kerri@sdfoundation.org or (619) 235-2300.   We also provide scholarships to individuals. For information, please see Scholarships.
 
4. What is BetterGiving?  How do I get started?
BetterGiving is a powerful online resource to inform, empower and enrich charitable giving in our region--benefiting donors, nonprofits and the community at large.   A portrait allows you to tell your organization’s story and showcase your best practices. This resource serves as a common application for The San Diego Foundation, as well as other local funders. Our goal is to save you time and allow you to focus on serving the community.   BetterGiving is a free and accessible by the entire community. To get started or learn more, visit the BetterGiving and request a portrait for your organization.  If you have questions, please email bettergiving@sdfoundation.org.
 
5. My organization’s mission and activities address more than one of The San Diego Foundation’s grant making areas. What should I do?
Each organization may submit only one proposal per grant program area, but may submit to multiple programs at The Foundation if each proposal is for a different project. (The only exception is the Blasker-Rose-Miah Fund, which accepts multiple proposals.) If a project is undertaken as part of a partnership with other organizations, no more than one organization may submit a proposal for that project. If more than one proposal is submitted for the same project, all applications will become ineligible. Grantees who have previously received a grant award may apply again.  If you have program area or project specific questions, please contact the person listed in the grant guidelines. For general questions please contact Kerri Favela at Kerri@sdfoundation.org or (619) 235-2300.
 
6. I prefer paper application forms to those that are online. Can I submit a paper copy instead?
The San Diego Foundation has moved to an online application process to reduce processing time and assure that our records are up to date and accessible. We can serve you better with the online process and will continue to require an online application for competitive and initiative grant requests. Below are some hints intended to assist you with the online application process.
 
  1. Get started with the application early.  At the last minute, many people will be on the website.  By taking time early, you can be sure to complete the application while allowing time for any technical or computer issues. 
  2. A BetterGiving portrait is the required common application for most competitive grant processes.  This portrait allows you to enter select information into one place, and then use that information for multiple grant applications.  Please visit BetterGiving for more information.
  3. Carefully review all questions before filling out the online application form. We strongly suggest that you use your word processor to prepare the long-text responses (e.g. Organization Description, Request Narrative), and then copy and paste your responses into the appropriate text boxes. This will save you the task of re-typing answers if there is a problem with your internet browser, and it will ease the task of editing the size of your narrative responses, should that be necessary.