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Forward, together.

San Diego Foundation 2026 Annual Report

“What gives us the greatest hope for San Diego’s future is already happening here, and focused, sustained philanthropy can help move it forward.”

Mark A. Stuart
President & CEO

Dear Friends,

This year marks the close of one remarkable chapter and the beginning of another.

As Fifty & Forward comes to a close, we celebrate the most ambitious campaign in San Diego Foundation’s history and the people like you who made it possible.

You opened doors for students, helped families build stronger futures and protected the parks, open spaces and natural resources that make San Diego home. These acts of generosity reflect your deep commitment to our region and to one another.

In this report, you’ll meet Michelle, a San Ysidro High School graduate pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor; Stanley, who became a first-time homeowner at 64; and young people discovering science and the outdoors through hands-on learning.

Their stories are different, but they remind us that the challenges and opportunities facing San Diegans don’t exist in isolation. Neither can the ways we address them.

Our new five-year strategic plan reflects that understanding, focusing our work on four areas that shape life across our region: family well-being, education, environment and housing. It also calls us to use our voice on the issues that matter to our community, help donors like you make informed decisions about their giving and strengthen our organization for the work ahead.

As our work becomes more focused and connected, our purpose remains the same: inspiring enduring philanthropy and enabling community solutions to improve quality of life in our region.

Over the past year, we’ve already begun putting that approach into practice. The San Diego Unity Fund is one example. When federal cuts and changes threatened access to essential services, your generosity helped support a coordinated response among donors, nonprofits, government and community partners to protect access to food, housing and healthcare.

Now, we look forward to what we can accomplish in this next chapter. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but we know the love you have shown for San Diego will continue to move this work forward.

Thank you for continuing to care for one another and for the place we call home.

With gratitude,

Portrait of Mel Katz Mel Katz signature

Mel Katz
Chair, SDF Campaign Council &
Chair, SDF Board of Governors

Portrait of Mark A. Stuart Mark A. Stuart signature

Mark A. Stuart, CFRE
President & CEO
San Diego Foundation

Fifty & Forward Campaign

We set out to do something bold: raise $1 billion and invest $500 million back into our community.

Thanks to donors like you and incredible community partners, we did it. Fifty & Forward closes as the most ambitious campaign in our history. We’re profoundly grateful.

Total Fundraising

$1.3B

Total Grantmaking

$500M

Donor

“When you see your friends and neighbors helping the community, it inspires people to do the same.”

Scott Peters
SDF Donor & U.S. Representative for California’s 50th Congressional District

Education

“The scholarship I am receiving is helping make my future possible. Thank you for letting me show not just who I am, but who I’m becoming.”

Sajanah King
Scholarship Recipient

Children & Families

“I want to show other foster youth that your past doesn’t define your future. You can create the life you want.”

Laura Hernandez
Mother, Student & Youth Mentor

Environment

“It’s been really fun to be here. I’m making great memories with my friends.”

Jonathan
Chula Vista Elementary Student

Campaign Council

We are deeply grateful to these local philanthropists and community leaders who served on our Fifty & Forward Campaign Council.

Throughout the campaign, they gave generously of their time, expertise and relationships, helping build support for our work across the region. Their leadership and commitment played an important role in reaching this historic milestone for San Diego Foundation.

  • Portrait of Mel Katz

    Mel Katz, Chair*
    Co-Founder & Executive Officer, Manpower Staffing Services of San Diego

  • Portrait of Elvin Lai

    Elvin Lai*
    President & CEO, Ocean Park Inn Hotel

  • Portrait of Phyllis Epstein

    Phyllis Epstein
    Community Volunteer & Philanthropist

  • Portrait of Connie Matsui

    Connie Matsui*
    Retired Biotechnology Executive, Community Volunteer, Philanthropist

  • Portrait of Darcy Bingham

    Darcy Bingham*
    Community Volunteer & Philanthropist

  • Portrait of Patty Brutten

    Patty Brutten
    Community Volunteer & Philanthropist

  • Portrait of Jay Hill

    Jay Hill
    Former Executive Director, Dr. Seuss Foundation

  • Portrait of Vicki and Moises Baron

    Vicki & Moises Baron
    Community Volunteers & Philanthropists

  • Portrait of Marilyn Creson Brown

    Marilyn Creson Brown
    Community Volunteer & Philanthropist

* Indicates current or former Board of Governors member

Strategic Plan

Together for a brighter future.

As we launch a new five-year strategic plan, one thing hasn’t changed: our vision, mission and values. They’re the heart of who we are. They ground our purpose and guide everything ahead.

Our Vision

Just, equitable and resilient communities.

Our Mission

We inspire enduring philanthropy and enable community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region.

Our Values

  • All People

    We act with integrity and respect for one another and the communities we serve.

  • All Partners

    We engage diverse perspectives to foster collaboration and innovative solutions.

  • Our Region

    Together, we strive for an inclusive community where everyone has equitable access to opportunity.

Learn More About Our Strategic Plan

Strategic Priorities

Four ways forward.

Recognizing that the challenges facing our communities don’t exist in isolation, we strengthen San Diego Foundation’s impact across the region with four interconnected priorities.

  1. 1.

    Create Transformative Impact

    Help families thrive, expand access to quality education and housing, and care for our environment.

  2. 2.

    Motivate Community Action

    Bring people together, speak up on issues that matter and respond quickly when our community needs help.

  3. 3.

    Inspire Informed Giving

    Help more people give and make informed choices about where their giving can make the greatest difference.

  4. 4.

    Deepen Organizational Excellence

    Strengthen our team and organization so we can stay focused and do our best work.

A young girl laughing with her family

$51M+

Granted to strengthen families, from supporting new parents and early learning to helping foster youth transition to independence.

Family Well-Being

Transforming lives, together.

When families thrive, San Diego thrives. From supporting new parents to expanding early learning and helping foster youth transition to independence, San Diego Foundation connects donors—including longtime partners David and Tina Thomas—with local organizations building strong foundations for families. Together, they help create stability and opportunity for families across our region.

“Early learning experiences shape how children see themselves and what they believe is possible.”

Allison Ohle
Executive Director
Diamond Educational Excellence Partnership (DEEP)
Learn More

Donor Spotlight

What showing up looks like.

Over 25 years with SDF, David and Tina Thomas have paired philanthropy with hands-on service to help young people transition from foster care, pursue their goals, build independence and thrive.

Learn More
Portrait of Tina Thomas

“Having an opportunity to donate, make a difference and see the results is very rewarding. It’s not a handout; it’s a continual assist that is impacting lives.”

Tina Thomas
SDF Donor
A graduate in cap and gown walking through a sunlit arcade

$35M+

Granted to expand educational opportunities for students, from early learning through college and career pathways.

Education

Creating opportunities, together.

Education shapes what’s possible. From expanded learning and college preparation to scholarships and career pathways, San Diego Foundation works with schools and community partners to help students learn, grow and pursue their goals. For students like Michelle, that support can turn college from a dream into a real opportunity.

“I’m bettering my education so that I can come back and help my community more.”

Michelle
Scholarship Recipient
SDF Community Scholars Initiative
Learn More

Donor Spotlight

Giving that lasts a lifetime.

Samuel and Kristine Ciccati have contributed more than $3 million to funds at SDF, creating perpetual scholarships and lasting support for education, arts and cultural institutions.

Learn More
Portrait of Samuel Ciccati

“I’ve been very fortunate to succeed financially and accumulate enough to help others. These scholarships assist students who will, in turn, go on to help others.”

Samuel Ciccati
SDF Donor
A student tending plants in a school garden

$9M+

Granted to protect natural spaces, improve environmental health and connect more San Diegans to the outdoors.

Environment

Caring for our region, together.

A place for people and nature to thrive. From tackling the Tijuana River sewage crisis to connecting young people with nature, San Diego Foundation works with partners on environmental challenges across our region. For educator Mike Strong, that means helping students take learning outdoors, where gardens, trails and even what’s under a rock can inspire curiosity.

“When students are given a chance to explore something and fill in spaces with honest questions and honest wonderings, some really powerful learning happens.”

Mike Strong
Blue Dot Education
Learn More

Donor Spotlight

Investing in the next generation.

Ann Hunter-Welborn and Hunter Industries are helping young people across San Diego and Baja California gain hands-on environmental experience, build connections across borders and become environmental leaders.

Learn More
Portrait of Ann Hunter-Welborn

“It was so inspiring to see those teenagers speaking English and Spanish together about their research. They saw themselves as one community working on shared environmental challenges.”

Ann Hunter-Welborn
SDF Donor
A father painting a wall with his young daughter on his shoulders

$2.9M

Granted to expand access to stable, affordable housing while building the foundation for a larger regional housing effort.

Housing

Increasing stability, together.

Where lasting benefits begin. Stable housing can shape nearly every part of life, from a child’s success in school to a family’s health and financial security. San Diego Foundation helps San Diegans stay housed, find affordable housing and pursue homeownership. For Stanley Greene, that meant becoming a first-time homeowner at 64.

“I look forward to when I come home and I put my key in the door. This is mine, and it feels so good.”

Stanley Greene
First-Time Homeowner
Learn More

Donor Spotlight

Thinking for the long term.

As an SDF donor and board member, Ana Gomez Chapman believes in meeting immediate community needs while investing in solutions that can strengthen San Diego for generations.

Learn More
Portrait of Ana Gomez Chapman

“It’s important to balance present needs with future goals, while keeping an eye on long-term sustainability.”

Ana Gomez Chapman
SDF Donor
Volunteers serving meals

$30M+

Granted and committed to help San Diegans stay housed, put food on the table and access critical healthcare.

Crisis Philanthropy

Responding in crisis, together.

Support for those in need when it matters most. When urgent needs arise, San Diego comes together. Thanks to the generosity of donors like you and support from community partners, more than $32 million was raised through the San Diego Unity Fund to respond to federal funding cuts. Together, that support reached 100+ nonprofits helping San Diegans access food, healthcare and stable housing across our region.

“Unless you’ve lived on the street without access to food, a hot shower, or clean clothes, you can’t fully understand how vital a program like this is.”

Alexis Leftridge
San Diego Resident
Learn More

Partner Spotlight

Keeping care within reach.

A $250,000 Unity Fund grant helped TrueCare sustain care for 70,000 patients, including outreach, transportation, enrollment assistance and services for patients without coverage.

Learn More
Portrait of Michelle D. Gonzalez

“This funding will allow TrueCare to sustain essential services that help patients get the care they need and stay on track.”

Michelle D. Gonzalez
President & CEO, TrueCare

2026 Annual Report

Together, we give where it matters most.

Giving by Priority

This year, San Diego Foundation made 8,167 grants totaling $137.4 million to 2,578 nonprofits working across our region and beyond. Together, that generosity is helping address some of our communities’ greatest challenges and creating more opportunities for people to thrive.

Family
Well-Being

$51,920,849
37.8% of all giving

Helping people and families thrive through healthcare, food security, youth development, employment, housing and essential human services.

Education

$35,830,441
26.1% of all giving

Opening doors to opportunity through K–12 schools, libraries, scholarships, colleges, science and more.

Total Granted

$137.4M

$7 of every $10
granted in FY2026 supported education, the environment, housing and family well-being.

Family
Well-Being

Helping people and families thrive through healthcare, food security, youth development, employment, housing and essential human services.

Education

Opening doors to opportunity through K–12 schools, libraries, scholarships, colleges, science and more.

Environment

Protecting the places we call home through conservation, clean water, climate resilience, community gardens and more.

Civic Vitality

Strengthening vibrant communities through arts and culture, faith communities, civic and human rights, animal welfare and more.

Environment

$9,081,322
6.6% of all giving

Protecting the places we call home through conservation, clean water, climate resilience, community gardens and more.

Civic Vitality

$40,651,387
29.6% of all giving

Strengthening vibrant communities through arts and culture, faith communities, civic and human rights, animal welfare and more.

Giving by priority, fiscal year 2026
PriorityAmount grantedShare of all giving
Family Well-Being$51,920,84937.8%
Civic Vitality$40,651,38729.6%
Education$35,830,44126.1%
Environment$9,081,3226.6%
Total granted$137.4 million100%

Unaudited as of June 30, 2026

Giving by Geography

80% of our grantmaking stayed right here in San Diego County, reflecting the deep commitment donors like you have to our region. Through donor-advised funds, donors also support nonprofits and causes they care about locally and beyond.

80%

San Diego County
$110 million

7%

California
$10 million

13%

U.S. & International
$17 million

Giving by geography, fiscal year 2026
RegionShare of grantmakingAmount
San Diego County80%$110 million
California7%$10 million
U.S. and International13%$17 million

Giving Breakdown

SDF complements that generosity with grantmaking informed by local knowledge and community relationships, helping connect resources to opportunities and needs across San Diego.

65%

Donor-Advised Giving

35%

SDF Discretionary Grantmaking

Giving breakdown, fiscal year 2026
Donor-advised giving65%
SDF discretionary grantmaking35%
Donor-advised payout rate23.8%

23.8% Donor-Advised Payout Rate*

* The payout rate is a calculation of grantmaking dollars from donor-advised funds (DAFs) to nonprofit organizations relative to the charitable non-endowed assets in DAFs. The national average for community foundations in FY2024 was 25.2%, according to the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative.

Assets Under Management

The resources entrusted to San Diego Foundation continue to grow, expanding what we can accomplish together.

With $1.8 billion in assets under management, San Diego Foundation has a strong financial foundation to support donors, invest for the long term and respond to the evolving needs of our region.

2026

$1,844,649,000

2025

$1,669,300,000

2024

$1,564,263,000

View Financial Statements View Contributions Meet the Board of Governors
Download the PDF (PDF, 1.9 MB)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is San Diego Foundation’s 2026 Annual Report?

San Diego Foundation’s 2026 Annual Report, “Forward, together.”, shares the results of fiscal year 2026, from July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026. It highlights grantmaking, stories from donors and community partners, the Fifty & Forward campaign, SDF’s new Strategic Plan and the foundation’s financial growth.

How much did San Diego Foundation grant in 2026?

In fiscal year 2026, San Diego Foundation made 8,167 grants totaling $137.4 million to 2,578 nonprofits working across San Diego and beyond.

What areas does San Diego Foundation focus on?

SDF’s new Strategic Plan focuses on four areas that shape life in the region: family well-being, education, environment and housing. In FY2026, SDF grants also supported civic vitality, including arts and culture, faith communities, civic and human rights, and animal welfare.

What is San Diego Foundation’s new Strategic Plan?

SDF’s new five-year Strategic Plan keeps our community foundation’s vision, mission and values and sets four priorities: Create Transformative Impact, Motivate Community Action, Inspire Informed Giving, and Deepen Organizational Excellence. It focuses SDF’s work on four interconnected challenges facing San Diego families: family well-being, education, environment and housing.

What is the Fifty & Forward campaign?

Fifty & Forward was San Diego Foundation’s 50th anniversary campaign. We set out to do something bold: raise $1 billion and invest $500 million back into our community. Thanks to donors like you and incredible community partners, we did it. Fifty & Forward closes as the most ambitious campaign in our history.

How much does San Diego Foundation manage in assets?

San Diego Foundation manages $1.8 billion in assets as of 2026 ($1,844,649,000), up from $1.67 billion in 2025. SDF manages 1,432 endowment funds of more than $1 billion. These resources let SDF support donors, invest for the long term and respond to the region’s changing needs.

Where do San Diego Foundation grants go?

About 80% of FY2026 grantmaking, roughly $110 million, stayed in San Diego County. Seven percent ($10 million) went to organizations elsewhere in California, and 13% ($17 million) went to U.S. and international causes.

How did San Diego Foundation respond to crises this year?

When federal cuts threatened access to essential services, SDF helped launch the San Diego Unity Fund with donors, nonprofits, government and community partners. More than $32 million was raised, and support reached 100+ nonprofits helping San Diegans access food, healthcare and stable housing.

How can I give to San Diego Foundation?

You can make a gift online, open a donor-advised fund for yourself, your family, or your corporation, or leave a legacy through a planned gift. Existing fundholders can log in to the MySDF Donor Portal to contribute to their fund or recommend grants to charities and causes. Visit the Ways to Give page to get started.

Where can I find past annual reports?

Past annual reports are available on SDF’s Past Annual Reports page. Financial statements are on the Financials page.

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