Frequently Asked Questions

What is San Diego Foundation focusing on in this plan?

San Diego Foundation is focused on building just, equitable and resilient communities through four strategic priorities:

• Create Transformative Impact
• Motivate Community Action
• Inspire Informed Giving
• Deepen Organizational Excellence

Our work spans across four interconnected challenges facing our region: family well-being, education, environment and housing.

Why did SDF choose this direction?

This plan is an evolution of our previous five-year Strategic Plan. Led by our Board of Governors, San Diego Foundation engaged donors, nonprofits, and community and civic leaders across the region to help shape this plan. We asked what strengths we should build on, what our region’s most pressing challenges are and which communities need support most. This plan reflects what we heard.

What does this Strategic Plan mean for existing donors?

For more than 50 years, SDF has supported the charitable goals of local philanthropists and businesses and uplifted the work of San Diego’s nonprofit community. Our commitment to serving donors, estate planning attorneys, wealth advisors and other professional advisors is not changing. We will continue to help those who are charitably inclined accomplish their goals and grow their giving, for both lifetime and legacy giving. We will also provide education about community needs, connect donors to impactful nonprofits and explore opportunities to collaborate in addressing regional challenges.

How will this impact donor-advised funds (DAFs)?

Donors with DAFs at SDF can continue to recommend grants to qualified charitable organizations of their choosing. They’ll see continued improvements in service and new opportunities to engage in community solutions through grantmaking, reflected through our Inspire Informed Giving priority.

How will this Strategic Plan impact discretionary grantmaking?

Discretionary grantmaking (also known as broad-purpose or unrestricted giving) allows community experts on our staff and Board of Governors to direct funding to concerns of vital importance to our region.

As San Diego’s needs evolve, charitable giving must evolve with them. As San Diego’s regional community foundation, we are committed to addressing emerging challenges, both through our own discretionary grantmaking and through the support we provide to donors and partners. The vast majority of our discretionary grantmaking will directly align with the four strategic priorities and the areas of impact outlined in our new plan. Many existing SDF programs already contribute to these goals and may continue to align with future grantmaking.

Will grantmaking be different going forward?

Every investment SDF makes will be measured by its impact toward our vision of just, equitable and resilient communities. Grantmaking from discretionary funding SDF directs (as opposed to donor-advised funds) will align with the four strategic priorities and areas of impact in our new plan.

Does this mean that if organizations do not align with the Strategic Plan, they will no longer be eligible for a grant?

No. Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in or providing services to San Diego County remains eligible to apply for grant funding. Donors with donor-advised funds at SDF will continue to recommend grants to qualified charitable organizations of their choosing.

Through discretionary grantmaking, SDF will fund organizations doing work that advances our strategic priorities — this will include organizations SDF has funded before and some that haven’t been funded by us previously. We’re committed to making these changes thoughtfully and to communicating available grant opportunities clearly.

Will SDF consider responsive grants?

As San Diego’s regional community foundation, we remain committed to being responsive to unexpected community needs, crises and opportunities. Responsive grantmaking is the exception rather than the rule. However, we’ll continue to prioritize new ideas and innovation that align with our strategic priorities.

Will policy play a role in SDF’s work?

Grantmaking alone won’t help us achieve our vision for San Diego. Changes in policy are critical to building just, equitable and resilient communities, and our Motivate Community Action priority includes championing policy, research and advocacy on behalf of key impact issues.

We’ll support community partners and grant recipients working to effect policy change aligned with our priorities, and we may lead efforts ourselves when there’s clear alignment with our vision. This includes the possibility of leading voter education programs on key issues impacting our communities.

How will SDF know if what it is doing is working?

SDF will measure impact at the community and regional level. Each strategic priority is supported by annual operational plans with specific goals and metrics, reviewed regularly by our Board of Governors and leadership team, so we can track our progress toward the plan’s vision year over year.

How can I join SDF to realize just, equitable and resilient communities?

We invite philanthropists, businesses, professional advisors, nonprofit organizations and students to join us in realizing our strategic plan:

• Donors: Each year, we help thousands of San Diego individuals, families and businesses accomplish their charitable goals and maximize their impact in the region.
• Professional Advisors: We act as a charitable partner to estate planning attorneys, wealth advisors and other advisors, helping your clients realize their financial planning goals and maximize their tax deductions.
• Nonprofits: We help nonprofit programs and organizations better serve those in need and provide greater equity and opportunity for all San Diegans.

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