Civic and business leaders founded The San Diego Foundation in 1975 to improve the quality of life in the region through effective philanthropy. The Gildred Foundation pledged initial funding of $135,000, the Ed and Mary Fletcher Foundation and Willis and Jane Fletcher Foundation provided additional funding, and the United Way donated office space, furnishing, and equipment. A year later the City of San Diego made a $50,000 grant to support the new Foundation.

In the 1980s The Foundation saw strong increases in both its assets and grant distributions. Key contributions from the Rueben H. Fleet Foundation, Dr. Robert and Betty Upham, Florence Riford, Joe Hibben, and others enabled The Foundation to reach a higher level of success. By 1994 Foundation assets reached $113 million and grant distributions were nearly $5 million.

The achievements and growth of Yesterday enable The Foundation to improve the quality of life for thousands of people Today and Tomorrow.

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