The deadline for submitting grant applications was February 19, 2008. Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2008 Community Impact Grant Cycle.

Grant Programs Soliciting Proposals:
> Arts & Culture	> Health & Human Services
> Civil Society	> Science & Technology Community
> Environment Community	> Science & Technology Blasker
> Environment Blasker	**FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS**

Welcome! We are very excited to announce our 2008 Grants Program. For those of you new to The San Diego Foundation, this program awards grants on a competitive basis across specific subject areas, each headed by Working Groups of committed volunteers.

"Understanding the San Diego Region" is the guiding principal for staff and Working Group volunteers in reviewing eligible proposals and making their recommendations for grantee partnerships. Since we work with limited resources, we must prioritize among competing needs. Thus, successful partnerships will be those that advance the grantmaking priorities of our Working Groups. We give preference to projects that have transformational goals with measurable, positive results in our communities.

We recognize that in order to advance long-term solutions, it is critical that we work with donors and nonprofit organizations to build and preserve enduring assets with permanent endowments. To that end, The San Diego Foundation will explore various strategies, products and services to build the financial capacity of our current and future partners. In your application, we encourage you to share with us your plans for growing and sustaining financial support to fulfill your mission in perpetuity.

Our grants programs cannot succeed without our volunteers, our donors, and you. We look forward to working with you to improve the quality of life for all our communities in the San Diego region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Grant Programs Soliciting Proposals:

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Arts & Culture

The Foundation and its Arts and Culture Working Group (ACWG) have established a broad and ambitious vision for San Diego’s arts and culture: To galvanize the San Diego community around enhanced arts and culture and to ensure that the San Diego region has all the resources to become a nationally-competitive arts and culture center.

THE INITIATIVE
With this mission and vision in mind, the Foundation announces the launch of Art Works for San Diego, a regional initiative developed to demonstrate the power of art and culture to bring communities together to address community needs. This initiative is grounded in research from the 2006 pARTicipate San Diego study that emphasized the valuable role arts and culture play in our lives. Over the next several years, Art Works for San Diego will enable the Foundation to realize the boldest vision for art-based community development in the region through increased public awareness and advocacy, grantmaking, donor engagement and cultivation, and leadership.

As a first step, the Foundation invites nonprofit organizations to develop a proposal for collaborative, arts and culture-based community initiative, that supports the singular Art Works for San Diego goal: to use arts and culture to bring people together to address a greater community need. Project ideas with substantial promise will be selected with the authors of those ideas invited to submit more in-depth proposals for possible funding.

LETTER OF INTENT SELECTION CRITERIA
Art Works for San Diego project ideas will be selected based on:

• Relevance of the project idea to the Art Works for San Diego goal
• Importance of the project idea to the community and the community’s need
• Potential of the project idea to achieve realistic and sustainable outcomes
• Capacity of the project idea to inspire philanthropy and increase cultural patronage
• Evidence of innovation and creativity
• Evidence of collaborative thinking that will attract partners who have the skills, resources and leadership to help move the project forward
• Ability of project idea to make a strong community impact

GRANTS PROGRAM
Art Works for San Diego is a multi-faceted and integrated approach that includes a grants program divided into phases. Phase I funding (July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009) will provide grantees with seed funding sufficient to develop the project idea. Awards in this phase will typically range from $15,000 to $25,000 depending upon the availability of funds, purpose and needs of the project. During Phase I and throughout the Initiative, the Foundation will position itself as an active partner, providing technical assistance, training opportunities and fund development assistance as the grantee projects progress.

At the end of Phase I and each subsequent Phase, high performing grantees may be invited to submit proposals to further refine and implement their project ideas. Grant awards in Phase II (July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010) and future phases may be greater, considering the needs and scope of the project and ability of the Foundation to raise additional funds. There are no guarantees that any finalist invited to submit proposals for Phase I or any other Phase will receive funding or be invited to reapply.

GRANT GUIDELINES & APPLICATION 2008 Community Impact Grant Guidelines - Arts & Culture The deadline for the Spring 2008 Community Impact Grants Program has passed. Frequently Asked Questions - REGARDING ARTS & CULTURE APPLICATION Frequently Asked Questions - REGARDING GRANT PROCESS IN GENERAL

For additional information, please contact Felicia Shaw, Director, Arts & Culture Analysis & Strategy, at: felicia@sdfoundation.org.

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Civil Society

The San Diego Foundation’s Civil Society Working Group was established with the mission to foster civic engagement to build leadership and support for community-driven problem-solving and innovations. The Working Group is poised to conclude a three year initiative that has focused on regional housing concerns with the following vision:

San Diego is a region in which residents care about one another and are actively involved in improving the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Such a community is characterized by its appreciation of diversity, openness to creative thinking and effective problem-solving.

A New Consensus for Housing Initiative
The San Diego region requires a shared commitment for informed, inclusive civic engagement for the purpose of planning for strong, satisfying communities. Toward this end, the Civil Society Working Group launched on “A New Consensus for Housing in San Diego County,” a three-year initiative to improve the capacities that residents and organizations require to engage around the region’s compelling housing needs, and to support strategies that foster successful communities with choices for all.

Project outcomes for the 2006 grants highlighted the critical need for effective outreach and collaboration across geographic, economic and cultural barriers.  Civil Society grants in 2007 focused on consensus building, inclusive communication structures, community reinvestment, and community-driven strategic planning.  To bring this initiative to a close, 2008 grant-making will prioritize demonstrable expertise and technologies that have potential to contribute to a unified vision and plan for future housing for the San Diego region within one year.

Expected Results of the Initiative
A unified vision and plan for future housing for the San Diego region by 2009 as measured by:

• Dissemination of new and existing research and information on housing options and attitudes to the public, organizations, the business community, government officials and the media.
• Strategic civic engagement that builds the capacity of residents to meet their own and mutual needs and results in replicable models for sustainable community development.
• Strategic community reinvestment that results in workforce housing and revitalized neighborhoods characterized by economic and social diversity.
• Convenings of residents, organizations and policy-makers that lead to consensus on a regional plan of action and implementation strategy.

GRANT GUIDELINES & APPLICATION 2008 Community Impact Grant Guidelines - Civil Society The deadline for submitting grant applications was February 19, 2008. Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2008 Community Impact Grant Cycle. Frequently Asked Questions

For additional information, please contact Cheryl Alethia Phelps, Director, Civil Society Analysis & Strategy, Community Partnerships, at cheryl@sdfoundation.org.

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Environment Community

The vision of The San Diego Foundation’s Environment Working Group is to ensure that all generations enjoy clean air, safe water, wildlife, natural and culturally-sensitive areas.

Within the next two years, the Environment Working Group will help strengthen the capacity and financial viability of environmental and environmental health & justice organizations to ensure the protection of the public trust—our air, land, water and other resources -- so people can live, work, play and learn in a clean and healthy environment.

To this end, the Working Group will accept proposals requesting up to $50,000 focusing on the two initiatives listed below.

In projects with timelines that exceed one year or involve significant collaboration between two or more groups, The Working Group will consider proposals of up to $75,000.

Land and Watershed Conservation Initiative
This initiative will advance the completion of a network of recreational parks and natural areas on rivers, canyons, lagoons and beaches to provide healthy lands, clean water and habitat for people and wildlife. The Foundation will support organizations whose programs contribute to one or more of the following:

Expected Results of the Initiative

• Increased ability of local nonprofit organizations to acquire and steward land, and form nonprofit collaboratives to influence public policy for land and water protection by 2009.
• An increase of $100 million in private and public funding secured for land acquisition and stewardship by 2009, with at least $30 million secured with support from our 2008 Community Grants.
• The protection of an additional 15,000 acres of critical habitats and culturally-sensitive lands by 2009, with at least 5,000 acres protected with support from our 2008 Community Grants.
• 5,000 new volunteers assisting conservation organizations through ongoing participation in restoration and conservation activities, community outreach and advocacy, and nonprofit membership and board leadership by 2009, with at least 1,500 long-term volunteers recruited with support from our 2008 Community Grants.

Preference will be given to proposals that focus on:

• Acquisitions in San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, Las Californias, San Diego River and San Dieguito Watersheds,
• Conservation of lands which mitigate negative effects of climate change and natural disasters in addition to preserving biodiversity, and/or
• Building ongoing capacity for science based monitoring and management to understand and mitigate climate change, fire/natural disasters, and adjacent development on preserved habitats.

Clean Environments, Healthy Communities Initiative
This initiative will support efforts to enhance human health and human environments, particularly among populations that bear a disproportionate share of pollution in our region, such as the residents of San Diego’s southern bay front communities, tribal communities and farm workers. The Foundation will support organizations whose programs contribute to one or more of the following:

Expected Results of the Initiative

• Increased ability of local nonprofits and tribal entities to reduce exposure to toxic pollutants and build healthier communities among San Diego’s southern bay front neighborhoods and tribal reservations.
• Collaboration among local nonprofits to more effectively advocate for public policy that ensures clean air, land and water for all our communities.
• An increase in appropriate monitoring systems to track the primary sources of pollution, and related detriments to the health and well being of San Diego’s southern bay front communities and tribal communities.
• 5,000 new volunteers assisting local nonprofits to attain a cleaner, healthier environment through community outreach/advocacy, environment-based education, nonprofit membership and board membership by 2009, with at least 1,800 new volunteers from support through our 2008 Community Grants.

Preference will be given to proposals that focus on:

• An increase in appropriate measures to abate pollutants and fire-related impacts determined to pose the greatest public health risks in San Diego’s southern bay front neighborhoods and tribal reservations.
• Initiatives which support the work of the Climate Environmental Justice Working Group in implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act as well as opportunities for tribal EPA’s /governments to engage in regional climate action planning.

GRANT GUIDELINES & APPLICATION 2008 Community Impact Grant Guidelines - Environment Community The deadline for submitting grant applications was February 19, 2008. Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2008 Community Impact Grant Cycle. Frequently Asked Questions

For additional information, please contact Emily Young, Ph.D., Vice President, Community Partnerships and Director, Environment Analysis & Strategy at eyoung@sdfoundation.org.

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Environment Blasker

The Blasker-Rose-Miah Fund was established at The San Diego Foundation “to nurture and develop unique and innovative discoveries and experiences which may be of benefit to all mankind, and to support and encourage individuals with high potential in the scientific, engineering, and medical fields to reach their full potential in their chosen areas of study, work, and analysis.” Emphasis is placed on supporting students and young scientists.

Blasker Grants are awarded in two areas: Environment and Science & Technology. Grants will support programs and projects that have the potential to improve the quality of life in the San Diego region and to support and encourage San Diegans to reach their full potential. Preference will be given to programs or projects that facilitate collaboration between university researchers and local nonprofits whose work helps to advance either of the above listed program areas.

Environment Blasker grant applicants are encouraged to apply for grants up to $75,000. Multi-year proposals may be considered, where proposed project timelines exceed one year.

To be eligible, proposed projects or programs should:

• Advance innovative and creative scientific projects or research.
• Foster the development of individuals with high potential in the scientific, medical, and engineering fields to reach their potential in their chosen areas of study, work, and analysis.
• Be conducted in and have practical application for the San Diego region.
• Focus on (1) the potential local impacts of global climate change (i.e., in areas such as extreme weather patterns, environmental health, biodiversity, fire ecology, our local water supply, and sea level rise), and (2) ways to reduce our local greenhouse gas emissions and minimize climate change impacts.

*Additional criteria are included in the grant guidelines.

GRANT GUIDELINES & APPLICATION 2008 Community Impact Grant Guidelines - Environment Blasker The deadline for submitting grant applications was February 19, 2008. Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2008 Community Impact Grant Cycle. Frequently Asked Questions

For additional information, please contact Emily Young, Ph.D., Vice President, Community Partnerships and Director, Environment Analysis & Strategy at eyoung@sdfoundation.org.

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Health & Human Services

The San Diego Foundation’s Health and Human Services Working Group was established with the vision to improve the health, well-being and self-sufficiency of individuals, families and communities in the San Diego region.

The Prevention of Family Homelessness Initiative
The Health & Human Services Working Group’s research, investigation and grant awards to date indicate that families who are vulnerable to episodic homelessness benefit from financial education that leads to budget management, traditional banking relationships , reduction of debt improved credit, and increased savings. This initiative will support financial education and asset building programs of community-based organizations that serve the residents of the San Diego region.

Expected Results of the Initiative
A county-wide program to prevent family homelessness by 2009 as measured by:

• Relevant financial education provided to 2,500 individuals and families by the 2008 tax season that leads to reduction in total debt, improved credit scores, and participation in the Earned Income Tax Credit Program.
• Verification through new or existing case management and tracking approaches.
• A 50 percent county-wide increase of participants in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program, with 85 percent opening and maintaining a savings account by 2009.
• Establishment of a strategic coalition of San Diego nonprofit organizations that are supported by regional banking institutions, city and county government, and private foundations to provide relevant financial education that will result in 1,500 participants having saved $2.5 million in assets by 2009.

The San Diego Foundation will support nonprofit organizations providing:

• Financial education programs for individuals applying to Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program.
• An individualized client management approach to assist individuals and families to save and grow financial assets.
• Leadership to develop new banking products and incentives for low-income families to build assets.
• An existing financial education program and working as a member of a coalition of nonprofit providers region wide.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $30,000; exemplary applications for larger amounts may be considered.

GRANT GUIDELINES & APPLICATION 2008 Community Impact Grant Guidelines - Health & Human Services The deadline for submitting grant applications was February 19, 2008. Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2008 Community Impact Grant Cycle. Frequently Asked Questions

For additional information, please contact Kerri Favela, Community Grants Coordinator, Community Partnerships at kerri@sdfoundation.org.

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Science & Technology Community

The San Diego Foundation’s Science & Technology Working Group was established with the vision for a continuous supply of highly trained mathematicians, scientists, engineers and technicians - as well as a scientifically, technically and numerically literate population - that will provide the workforce needed for the San Diego region to remain a national leader in science and technology .

The Middle School Math and Science Initiative
Every student -- regardless of their neighborhood, family income, or ethnic background – has attained knowledge and critical thinking skills grounded in learning science and mathematics, participates in science enrichment programs, receives high-level instruction from qualified teachers confident in their own scientific literacy, and graduates from high school having the capability to compete for educational and employment opportunities of their choosing

Expected Results of the Initiative
A county-wide leadership development program focused on middles school math and science teachers as measured by:

• Improved quality of teaching, retention rate of teachers, equity of teaching resources, and high quality professional development programs increasing teachers’ content knowledge and pedagogical skills.
• Systemic improved student learning, critical thinking skills and achievement in science and mathematics over many generations of students through leadership development of teachers as the unit of change and principals and schools as the unit of change.
• Improved call to action, community knowledge about best practices, decision-making, and coordination of K-12 education funders (regional and national)  influencing new programs enhancing quality of teaching through information sharing and optimized philanthropic support of schools, informal education and student learning.

The San Diego Foundation will support nonprofit organizations providing:

• Leadership development of talented teams of science and math teachers and principals.
• School administration outreach in support of leadership development.
• Capacity enhancement of community civic engagement including but limited to: decision-making, research, conveneings, donor engagement etc. in support of leadership development.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $30,000; exemplary applications for larger amounts may be considered.

GRANT GUIDELINES & APPLICATION 2008 Community Impact Grant Guidelines - Science & Technology Community The deadline for submitting grant applications was February 19, 2008. Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2008 Community Impact Grant Cycle. Frequently Asked Questions

For additional information, please contact Sedra Shapiro, Associate Vice President, Community Partnerships and Director, Science & Technology Analysis & Strategy at sedra@sdfoundation.org.

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Science & Technology Blasker

The Blasker-Rose-Miah Fund was established at The San Diego Foundation “to nurture and develop unique and innovative discoveries and experiences which may be of benefit to all mankind, and to support and encourage individuals with high potential in the scientific, engineering, and medical fields to reach their full potential in their chosen areas of study, work, and analysis.”

Blasker Grants are awarded in two areas: Environment and Science & Technology

Science and Technology Blasker grant applicants are encouraged to apply for grants up to $75,000. To be eligible, proposed projects or programs should:

• Advance innovative, unique and creative scientific projects or research.
• Foster the development of individuals with high potential in the scientific, medical, and engineering fields to reach their potential in their chosen areas of study, work and analysis. Emphasis is placed on projects that stimulate and encourage early-career scientists.
• Be conducted in and have practical application for the San Diego region.

*Additional criteria are included in the grant guidelines.

GRANT GUIDELINES & APPLICATION 2008 Community Impact Grant Guidelines - Science & Technology Blasker The deadline for submitting grant applications was February 19, 2008. Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2008 Community Impact Grant Cycle. Frequently Asked Questions

For additional information, please contact Sedra Shapiro, Associate Vice President, Community Partnerships and Director, Science & Technology Analysis & Strategy at sedra@sdfoundation.org.