Robert Blodgett
Panagraph, Inc.
(619) 733-3455
rblodgett@panagraph.com

San Diego, CA, November 16, 2005 – The San Diego Foundation, a nonprofit, community-based organization focused on improving the quality of life in San Diego through responsible and effective philanthropy, announced today that more than 172 nonprofits have signed up to be part of the Endow San Diego Nonprofit Partnership, with more than 120 people having been specially trained and equipped for endowment outreach. In addition, The Foundation announced that two new endowments have been established just one month after the launch of its Endow San Diego initiative. This is a multi-year initiative designed to inform and inspire San Diegans to understand and support endowments. Endow San Diego made its debut at The Foundation’s 30th anniversary event on October 15, 2005, at the Convention Center with over 1,400 community leaders in attendance.

“In just one month, this community has stepped up to show its incredible passion for making San Diego a better place to live for years to come,” said Bob Kelly, President and CEO of The San Diego Foundation. “The number of Endow San Diego Nonprofit Partners and the two new endowments just goes to show you what can be accomplished when we commit ourselves to service both today and well into the future,” added Kelly.

The two new endowments are the result of the generosity of Eugene W. Schmitt and Leslie J. Blain who both relocated to San Diego years ago from Illinois. The new endowments are the Eugene W. and Anne E. Schmitt Memorial Legacy Fund and the Leslie J. Blain Endowment Fund.

The Eugene W. Schmitt Memorial Legacy Fund:
Eugene W. Schmitt rose from humble beginnings, working to help his family keep their farm. In 1941, he came to San Diego. He quickly became a savvy investor, purchasing and managing many apartments in the area. Over time, he accumulated a healthy financial portfolio and shared his earnings with the community, giving many significant gifts to organizations such as the American Heart Association, the Leukemia Society and the Alzheimer’s Association. In 2001, Eugene decided to establish an endowment with The San Diego Foundation that would support charitable purposes. On April 2, 2005, Eugene W.

Schmitt passed away at the age of 89, but his legacy will live on through his endowment fund. Although Gene and Anne will never know the people they help or the difference they will make in this community, San Diegans will know Gene and Anne’s generosity in perpetuity.

About The Leslie J. Blain Endowment Fund:
Leslie J. Blain grew up in an Illinois family with ample resources. Yet Leslie was not destined to follow in the family’s footsteps, and she launch on her own, moving to Southern California. Leslie became an elementary school teacher and a single mother with a daughter and a son. Leslie suffered a huge loss when her son died at the age of 11. Despite the pain and loss in her life, Leslie focused on what she could do to help others. Her main interest was helping battered women and children. In 1998, Leslie established the Heavenly Glory Fund at The San Diego Foundation. This fund supports nonprofit organizations serving causes Leslie cared deeply about, including Case de Amparo, North Coast Service Center for the Homeless and the Women’s Resource Center for Battered Women. Leslie’s desire to ease the suffering of others led her to name The San Diego Foundation as a beneficiary in her estate plan, creating the Leslie J. Blain Endowment Fund. Leslie passed away in 2004, but she will always be remembered through her permanent legacy of care to provide for women and children in need.

Both of these endowments will serve the future needs of San Diegans for many years to come. Leslie J. Blain and Eugene W. Schmitt’s generosity and commitment inspires men and women of today’s San Diego to look beyond the present time – exactly what Endow San Diego is designed to do.

About Endow San Diego:
Endow San Diego is a regional, multi-year initiative designed to build permanent endowments for citizens and organizations committed to improving the quality of life in San Diego’s communities. This initiative unites organizations and individuals with the common goal to increase endowments in the San Diego region between now and the end of 2007. Endow San Diego – realizing the full potential of life in San Diego.

An endowment is a tool that builds long-term stability for organizations, reducing dependence on the success of annual fundraising to support programs and operations. An endowment fund preserves a charitable donation permanently. The money is invested, and the earnings provide continual support for a cause or organization. To learn more about endowments and the Endow San Diego initiative, visit www.endowsandiego.org

About the Endow San Diego Nonprofit Partnership Program:
Created by The San Diego Foundation, the Endow San Diego Nonprofit Partnership Program was developed as part of Endow San Diego. It is designed to empower nonprofit agencies, who are most often constrained by limited budgets, with educational materials to reach out to their respective communities and build awareness about endowments. This cohesive movement is designed to collectively reach all communities in San Diego, ensuring that nonprofits throughout the region receive the support and funds they need to sustain operation. Through the Endow San Diego Nonprofit Partnership Program, The Foundation and San Diego nonprofits will work to build a better, stronger San Diego.