The San Diego Foundation and Private Family Foundations:
Partners in Philanthropy

How The San Diego Foundation Can Assist You
Private foundations, family Foundations and public foundations have the same goal - to improve the quality of life in the community. As a public charity, The San Diego Foundation (TSDF) can assist private and family foundations to better achieve their charitable goals and maximize their results.

Transferring a private foundation to TSDF makes your life much easier and allows you to focus on charitable giving while we take care of all of the back office administration.  See Frequently Asked Questions for a quick overview.

FAQs

Can I keep my own family foundation’s name?
Yes, family foundations may keep the same name (i.e., John and Jane Brown Family Foundation).

Can I keep my family members involved?
Yes, your board trustees may remain the same.

Is my foundation’s information confidential at The San Diego Foundation (TSDF)?
Yes.  While all private foundations’ tax returns are public information easily obtainable on websites, such as Guidestar, Tax Analyst and Foundation Source, a family foundation at TSDF in completely anonymous.  You decide which grants to the community are public and which ones remain anonymous. Unlike your current 990 forms, no one can get information concerning your foundation’s asset size, trustee names, etc.  TSDF files its 990 as a compilation of over 1,600 foundations under its umbrella.

Is there a tax benefit for transferring my family foundation to The San Diego Foundation (TSDF)?
Yes. New gifts to your foundation at TSDF will provide a much better tax deduction. Click here for more information.

Do I have to keep adhering to the private foundation 5% mandatory payouts?
No. US private family foundations are legally bound to distribute 5% of their total assets to charity annually, but having your foundation at TSDF waives such requirement.

Can I keep my broker and investment manager?
Foundations with assets of $1 million of more may keep their current investment manager.  Please call us to discuss the details.

What services do I get from The San Diego Foundation?
All funds and foundations at TSDF receive, without any extra charge, a variety of services. These include financial reporting, investment management, grantmaking, philanthropic planning, scholarship design, marketing and implementation, and overall administration of the foundation. Alternatively, your foundation may choose to negotiate services a la carte.

Can I give specific instructions for my family’s successor generations?
Yes. TSDF will document and honor your specific wishes for generations to come.

What if my family members live across the country and/or the world?
TSDF is very flexible. Advisors can access their foundation’s information online.  Grants may be recommended to any qualified charities across the United States.  We will even help you with international grants.  Should you be interested in exclusively international grantmaking, please connect with our sister foundation, International Community Foundation.

What are the minimums involved?
The minimum amount to start a foundation is $10,000.  The minimum grant is $250.

Can I talk to someone who has transferred the family foundation to TSDF?
Yes. We are happy to provide references.  Please call 619.235.2300 or email givingteam@sdfoundation.org

Who can I call to discuss further?
Our Charitable Giving Team will be happy to provide you with more information.  Please call 619.235.2300 or email givingteam@sdfoundation.org

The Wheatley Foundation Fund
The Wheatley Foundation Fund was created by merging the assets of the private Wheatley Foundation into an advised endowment fund at The San Diego Foundation. The founders of the fund, Dr. Charles and Judith Wheatley, intend to continue to meet the mission of the Wheatley Foundation by recommending grants that improve southern Californians' quality of life by supporting programs that educate and build confidence and self-esteem of children and victims of domestic violence, and supporting animal and environmental programs. Some of the organizations supported in the past include Spencer Valley School in Wynola for academic enrichment and for their production of Shakespeare's "As You Like It"; UC Davis Wildlife Health Center to assist in the development of a website to provide information about cougars to the public and Aquatic Adventures to purchase a color laser printer and five thumb drives for computer information sharing.

Holly and Todd Lyons Charitable Fund
Just as Holly and Todd Lyons were starting their careers in law and media, their lives were upended by cancer.  First Todd’s father and then Holly’s father were lost at a young age to the horrible disease. Less than a decade later when Todd retired from AOL, the Todd & Holly Lyons Family Foundation was established with cancer research and care as an initial focus.   As the couple later started a family, child health and welfare issues also became a priority.  The Foundation continues today as a Fund of the San Diego Foundation with the expanded goal of providing lasting benefits in areas that have impacted or influenced the Lyons family.

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