SAN DIEGO – July 26, 2005 – In a move exemplifying The San Diego Foundation’s commitment to strengthening the local nonprofit sector, The Foundation has named Paul Thompson to lead its Organizational Success Program.

“The Foundation has been involved in building the capacity of nonprofit organizations through our Organizational Success Program for several years,” said Bob Kelly, President & CEO of The San Diego Foundation. “Now we have the opportunity to expand the scope and depth of these efforts to truly strengthen the nonprofit sector. We are fortunate to have such an experienced executive join our team to lead this effort.”

Thompson will work closely with nonprofit leaders in the San Diego region. “Charitable funds invested in strengthening an organization’s internal operations are often, dollar for dollar, the best money spent,” said Thompson.

The San Diego Foundation provides guidance in areas such as fundraising, information technology development, and nonprofit law and finance.

“Our goal is that local nonprofits will be able to serve more people more effectively -- with a greater impact on the families and neighborhoods in San Diego County,” Thompson continued.

Prior to joining The Foundation, Thompson was principal and senior partner at the social investment firm, Global Community Solutions, Inc., based in Carlsbad, CA. He was executive director of the Callaway Golf Company Foundation and Callaway Golf Company Office of Global Community Affairs; former president and CEO of Project Concern International; and has served on the boards of several national and international nonprofit organizations.

Actively involved in his local community, Thompson is chair-elect of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and was, until recently, a board member of San Diego Better Business Bureau and its subsidiary Foundation. He is in his fifth year as an adjunct faculty member at the UCSD Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, where he teaches nonprofit management and leadership.

Founded in 1975, The San Diego Foundation was created by and for the people of the San Diego region. Its purpose is to promote and increase charitable giving that is effective and responsible. The Foundation manages $466 million in assets, almost half of which reside in permanent endowment funds that extend the impact of today’s gifts to future generations—continuing to make San Diego a better place to live, work and play. Since its inception, The Foundation has granted over $387 million to nonprofits serving the community.