San Diego, CA July 11, 2006 – It may not be Buffett-scale, but it says volumes about the generosity of San Diegans. Today The San Diego Foundation announced that its charitable assets had topped a half billion dollars. This figure, $505 million, represents contributions entrusted to The Foundation over three decades to support the broad range of charitable causes across the San Diego Region. Like Warren Buffet, these San Diegans tapped an institution with proven expertise in philanthropy to fulfill their charitable intent. During that 30 year period, The San Diego Foundation has granted out $477 million to the community.
Celebrating at its 31st Annual Meeting, The Foundation welcomed to its Board of Governors community leaders William “Bill” Geppert, Roger Cornell, M.D., and Dean Steven Smith.
Warren Buffett, whose recent alliance with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation made international headlines, accounts for his decision in this way, “What can be more logical, in whatever you want done, than finding some one better equipped than you are to do it?”
“For all of us who are not Buffetts, and yet want our gifts of any amount to be as effective as possible, The San Diego Foundation is here,” according to Bob Kelly, president and CEO of The San Diego Foundation. “Just as the Gates Foundation is helping Buffet put ‘money where it really matters,’ The San Diego Foundation can help San Diegans do the same for our own community.”
The San Diego Foundation’s $505 million resides in over 1200 funds established by individuals, families and organizations to fulfill the donors’ charitable purposes spanning the scope of philanthropic work in the San Diego Region. With the purpose of improving the quality of life in greater San Diego, The Foundation has granted out $47 million just this past year.
Entering his second year as chair of The Foundation’s Board of Governors, Bruce Blakely commented, “Local donors also have a smart alternative for philanthropy: utilizing The San Diego Foundation to fulfill their charitable intent.” “Whereas the Gates Foundation focuses on the world, The San Diego Foundation focuses on our region with knowledge that is specific and current on community needs and the nonprofit organizations that are effective in addressing them.”
New to the board is William “Bill” Geppert, Vice President and Region Manager for Cox Communications. He brings vision and charismatic leadership to his role as Chair of Endow San Diego and, now, to The Foundation’s board. With almost 30 years of experience in the communications industry, he has headed Cox Communications’ San Diego system since 1996. Geppert is past chairman of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and currently serves on its board. He also serves on the boards and is past chair of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the California Cable & Telecommunications Association.
The second board inductee is Roger Cornell, M.D. He is a Senior Consultant for the Department of Dermatology at Scripps Clinic. Dr. Cornell is a practicing dermatologist with a passion for arts and culture. A graduate of Stanford University Medical School, he served in the Air Force before completing residencies in internal medicine and dermatology at UCSD. He joined Scripps Clinic in 1973 and is a Clinical Professor at UCSD.
Finally, The Foundation welcomes Steven R. Smith, Dean and Professor of Law at California Western Law School. Guided by a deep belief in the importance of civic engagement, Dean Smith joined The Foundation’s Civil Society Working Group in 2001 and has served as chair since 2004. Smith was appointed Dean of California Western Law School in 1996, following eight years as Dean at Cleveland-Marshall Law School. He is former Deputy Director and remains active in the Association of American Law Schools and in the American Bar Association, as a member of the Council and current chair of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Smith received his BA from Buena Vista College, MA and JD (Order of the Coif) from University of Iowa.
“Warren Buffett has also been known to say, if you want someone to take over for you in a golf tournament, you’d tap Tiger Woods,” says Kelly. “For charitable giving, Buffett went to the Gates Foundation. For the same reason, San Diegans can come to The San Diego Foundation.”
About The San Diego Foundation
Founded in 1975, The San Diego Foundation is a broad-purpose community foundation helping individuals, families and organizations carry out their charitable plans, with the common goals of improving the quality of life in the greater San Diego region, now and for generations to come.
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