Past Events
Just, Equitable, and Resilient Communities: The New Strategic Plan
After 46 years of serving our community, The San Diego Foundation is transforming. No longer satisfied with our reputation as solely a community bank, The Foundation has redefined its future with a new Strategic Plan that clarifies what we stand for and on what issues and opportunities we will provide leadership. This revival includes creating a future in which all San Diegans have the opportunity to thrive, prosper and feel like they belong here.
What benefits do these momentous changes provide for Foundation donors? What are the opportunities to engage, learn more about and solve our region’s greatest challenges? How will we define our future success?
The San Diego Foundation Executive Team offers an exclusive first look at The Foundation’s new Strategic Plan, including our new mission, values, strategic priorities and initiatives and how they will help realize our new chosen future of just, equitable and resilient communities.
Enabling Community Solutions Webinar Series
The Enabling Community Solutions webinar series is an exclusive opportunity for donors at The San Diego Foundation to learn about challenges we face as a community and how local nonprofits and The Foundation are working to address them to improve the quality of life in our region.
Climate Change & Our Regional Commitment to a Sustainable Future
Wednesday, June 9
San Diego County is a special place of natural beauty. To preserve our environment, health and economy for current and future generations, we must continue to work collaboratively to implement long-term equitable solutions that build a resilient region and economy for all San Diegans. There is much that we can do to ensure our communities are safe, our diverse natural spaces are protected, and all can enjoy a vibrant quality of life.
We discuss how we safeguard our region’s future against the impacts of climate change. We will discuss how we can build climate resilient communities, reduce pollution through healthy habitats and oceans, and prepare our community for the impacts already set in motion such as increased wildfires, the rising sea-level, and other emergent needs from our changing climate.
Speakers
- Matt O’Malley, Executive Director and Managing Attorney, San Diego Coastkeeper
- Darbi Berry, Program Manager, San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative
- Kara Ballester, President, BQuest Foundation
- Christiana DeBenedict, Director, Environmental Initiatives, The San Diego Foundation
- Everett Au, Program Specialist, Environmental Initiatives, The San Diego Foundation
- Katie Sawyer (Moderator), Senior Director, Donor and Community Engagement, The San Diego Foundation
Building Community Resilience through Equitable Outdoor Access
Wednesday, May 19
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated systemic inequities and is impacting communities of concern at disproportionately high rates. We know people with less access to the outdoors have worse health outcomes than their peers. Creating safe, convenient access to the outdoors for all people is a step toward building better health and quality of life for all. Parks improve quality of life and physical health, and providevenues to bring people together across social, economic, and racial divides to build more resilient, socially connected communities.
Learn how The San Diego Foundation and nonprofit partners are focusing on community-driven efforts to connect, protect, and increase equitable access to nature across the County, especially for San Diegans in underserved and park-deficient communities.
Speakers
- Lesford Duncan, Senior Director of Programs, Outdoor Outreach
- Courtney Baltiyskyy, Director of Advocacy and Strategic Partnership, YMCA of San Diego County
- Maria Guadalupe Mendez Arroyo, Leadership Program Graduate, Outdoor Outreach
- Heather Rossetti, Manager, Thrive Outside, The San Diego Foundation
- Katie Sawyer (Moderator), Senior Director, Donor and Community Engagement, The San Diego Foundation
Early Childhood Education: Key to Student Success and Economic Recovery
Wednesday, April 21
The pandemic has impacted children, families, and the regional workforce, amplifying the challenges that kids and working parents face. A year ago, women outnumbered men in the U.S. workforce. Now, they account for 100 percent – 140,000 – of jobs lost in December 2020. Meanwhile, recent studies found that in the last year children age 3-5 have lost important learning and developmental opportunities affecting school readiness. In some cases, children and families need even more support to prevent or mitigate trauma.
A thriving region starts with strong, healthy families. Learn how we can work together to:
- Build resilient communities and provide critical support to families
- Strengthen the regional workforce through access to quality, affordable childcare
- Ensure young children have healthy developmental experiences required to thrive in school and beyond
Speakers
- Pradeep Gidwani, MD, MPH, Medical Director, American Academy of Pediatrics
- Alethea Arguilez, Executive Director, First 5 San Diego, San Diego County
- Katie Rast, Director, Community Impact, The San Diego Foundation
- Katie Sawyer (Moderator), Senior Director, Donor and Community Engagement, The San Diego Foundation
Examining College Attainment & COVID-19
Wednesday, March 17
COVID-19 has brought unprecedented disruption to our education system. Despite the resilience of our students and teachers, national fall college enrollment among the high school class of 2020 decreased 22 percent from the previous year, with even steeper drops among students of color and low-income students.
Learn about the impact of the pandemic on higher education and college attainment in San Diego, and the possible long-term consequences on our region’s workforce. Also learn more about the challenges that students and their families are facing in successfully transitioning from high school; unpack the recommendations of the CA Governor’s Council for Post-Secondary Education in “Recovery with Equity: A Roadmap for Higher Education after the Pandemic”; and explore how philanthropy can partner with educators and community-based organizations to guide our students back on a better track toward college attainment.
Speakers
- Tamara Craver, President and CEO Reality Changers
- Monica Lozano, President and CEO College Futures Foundation
- Dr. Paul Gothold, Superintendent, San Diego County Office of Education
- Michelle Jaramillo, Director, Education Initiatives, The San Diego Foundation
- Katie Sawyer (Moderator), Senior Director, Donor and Community Engagement, The San Diego Foundation
Building Generational Wealth for Black San Diegans
Wednesday, February 24
Explicit and structural, systemic racism targeting San Diego’s Black community has deeply impacted generational upward mobility. This racial inequity is magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although representing only 6.4 percent of our county population, African Americans are disproportionately represented in police arrests, racial profiling, gaps in student achievement, school disciplinary actions, homelessness, unemployment, and home ownership.
Learn how the Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce and The San Diego Foundation are working with community leaders and organizations through the Black Community Investment Fund to improve education, entrepreneurship, home ownership and employment to build generational wealth for Black San Diegans.
Speakers
- Donna DeBerry, President and CEO, Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce
- Rudolph Johnson, III, President and CEO, Neighborhood House Association
- Pamela Gray Payton, Vice President, Chief Impact and Partnerships Officer, The San Diego Foundation
- Katie Sawyer (Moderator), Senior Director, Donor and Community Engagement, The San Diego Foundation
Addressing the Rise of Hunger & Food Insecurity in San Diego
Thursday, January 28
As our region continues to navigate the health and economic crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, hunger and food insecurity have emerged as critically urgent needs in our community. The number of San Diegans experiencing food insecurity has nearly doubled, now affecting 1 in 4.
Learn how our San Diego region is meeting the need for food assistance for children and families, the role of schools, where we are falling short, and how a new direction in grantmaking can help fill the gap of missing meals.
Speakers
- Anahid Brakke, Executive Director, San Diego Hunger Coalition
- Catherine Slomka, MS, RD, Director of Nutrition Services, Oceanside Unified School District
- Pamela Gray Payton, Vice President, Chief Impact and Partnerships Officer, The San Diego Foundation
- Katie Sawyer (Moderator), Senior Director, Donor and Community Engagement, The San Diego Foundation
Black Community Investment Fund Press Conference
Thursday, September 24
A coalition of San Diego leaders announced the creation of the Black Community Investment Fund at The San Diego Foundation. The fund will prioritize and invest in community-led, innovative efforts that increase racial equity and generational wealth for Black San Diegans. Grantmaking will focus on four key pillars impacting economic prosperity among Black San Diegans – education, employment, housing and entrepreneurism.
Better Together Webinar: On The Frontlines – NPO Voices
Wednesday, July 1
San Diego nonprofit organizations are often described as the first responders of social need. And in the face of a region-wide pandemic, they are aiding our community like never before. To date, 135+ nonprofits have received more than $13.7 million in grants from the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund to help with food, financial assistance, childcare, the digital divide, medical support and other emergent needs. During this webinar, heroes on the frontlines shared what they are seeing in our neighborhoods and hearing from fellow San Diegans disproportionally impacted by the coronavirus.
Speakers
- Classroom of the Future Foundation – James Wright, CEO
- Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans – Ramla Sahid, Executive Director
- San Diego Hunger Coalition – Anahid Brakke, Executive Director
- San Ysidro Health – Ana Melgoza, Vice President, External Affairs
- YMCA of San Diego County – Kim McDougal, Executive Director
- Mark A. Stuart, President & CEO, The San Diego Foundation
- Moderator – Brian Zumbano, Chief Development & Stewardship Officer
Better Together Webinar: The Power of Collective Giving
Wednesday, June 17
More than 2,300 individuals, businesses and foundations have made a donation to the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund. Their collective giving has created the opportunity for a $10 million strategic community investment to help the San Diego region respond and recover. The speakers during this webinar shared how collective giving results in collective impact when we give together and work together, across organizations and sectors, to tackle complex health and economic challenges like the coronavirus pandemic.
Speakers
- Mark A. Stuart, President & CEO, The San Diego Foundation
- Sarah Lyman, Executive Director, Alliance Healthcare Foundation
- Jack Raymond, Founding Chair, Escondido Community Foundation
- Trudy Armstrong, Director of Regional Philanthropy, The San Diego Foundation
- Susan Howe, President, San Diego Women’s Foundation
- Katie Sawyer, Executive Director, San Diego Women’s Foundation
- Moderator – Brian Zumbano, Chief Development & Stewardship Officer
Better Together Webinar: Q1 2020 Investment Performance
Wednesday, June 3
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the capital markets. You may be concerned about how this risk relates to your charitable investment portfolio. Foundation investment leaders shared information about our long-term investment approach, investment strategies that are designed to protect capital during periods of market dislocation, and how value-based opportunities can present themselves in a crisis. They also reviewed first quarter returns and asset allocation for the Endowment, Long-Term, Medium-Term, Short-Term and Sustainable Portfolios.
Speakers
- Steve Klosterman, Chair, Investment Committee, Board of Governors
- Matt Fettig, Chief Investment Officer
- Moderator – Brian Zumbano, Chief Development & Stewardship Officer
Better Together Webinar: How Grants & Loans Are Made
Wednesday, May 20
Millions of dollars have been granted from the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund to local nonprofit organizations helping thousands of San Diegans affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This webinar addressed how nonprofits are selected for grant funding, as well as how new impact investing partnerships like the San Diego County COVID-19 Small Business & Nonprofit Loan Program are creating regional resilience in response to this public health and economic crisis.
Speakers
- Mark A. Stuart, President & CEO, The San Diego Foundation
- David Lynn, CEO, Mission Driven Finance
- Pedro Villegas, Director of Community Relations, San Diego Gas & Electric
- Jim Howell, Chief Financial Officer, The San Diego Foundation
- Connie Matsui, Interim Community Impact Leader, The San Diego Foundation
- Moderator – Brian Zumbano, Chief Development & Stewardship Officer, The San Diego Foundation
Better Together Webinar: Our Response to COVID-19
Wednesday, May 6
On March 16, The San Diego Foundation launched the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund, attracting more than $10 million to support nonprofits helping San Diegans affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Foundation Leadership Team discussed the fund’s purpose and impact, as well as existing community and nonprofit need to help inform your philanthropic efforts during this public health and economic crisis.
Speakers
- Mark A. Stuart, President & CEO
- Jim Howell, Chief Financial Officer
- Matt Fettig, Chief Investment Officer
- Connie Matsui, Interim Community Impact Leader
- Moderator – Brian Zumbano, Chief Development & Stewardship Officer
Conversation with Community Hero Buki Domingos on Human Trafficking
October 2, 2019 | KPBS Copley Telecommunications Center
Buki Domingos escaped from abuse and a human trafficking scheme, and now works tirelessly to end human trafficking throughout the region, and is also the board chair of Activist San Diego. She was honored as a Community Hero by KPBS and the National Conflict Resolution Center.
Community Heroes is sponsored by The San Diego Foundation.
Conversation with Community Hero Nico Marcolongo
March 25, 2019 | Challenged Athletes Foundation
Nico Marcolongo, who has helped strengthen the mental and physical well-being of more than 2,700 veterans by providing opportunities to use sports and fitness to re-integrate into our communities, has been selected as the KPBS and National Conflict Resolution Center Community Hero for his work with Operation Rebound at Challenged Athletes Foundation.
Community Heroes is sponsored by The San Diego Foundation.
Conversation with Community Hero Kim Sontag-Mulder
January 15, 2019 | KPBS Copley Telecommunications Center
Kim Sontag-Mulder, who is credited with resurrecting the San Diego chapter of NOW, the National Organization for Women, has been named the KPBS and National Conflict Resolution Center Community Hero for her work in gender equity.
Community Heroes is sponsored by The San Diego Foundation.
Conversation with Community Hero Bishop Cornelius Bowser
October 3, 2018 | KPBS Copley Telecommunications Center
Bishop Cornelius Bowser, whose personal journey includes a decade-long stretch as a gang member before becoming a church minister, has been selected as the KPBS and National Conflict Resolution Center Community Hero for his work on preventing gun violence.
Community Heroes is sponsored by The San Diego Foundation.
2018 Annual Meeting: Built on a Solid Foundation
September 26, 2018 | Building 177, Liberty Station
San Diego leaders and philanthropists came together to celebrate their collective generosity, which resulted in $67.4 million granted to nonprofits organizations strengthening communities in fiscal year 2018.
Speakers include:
- Senator Toni Atkins, President pro Tempore, California State Senate
- Dr. Constance Carroll, Chancellor, San Diego Community College District & Board Chair, The San Diego Foundation
- Jerry Sanders, President & CEO, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Jack Raymond, CEO, Raymond Companies & Founder, Escondido Charitable Foundation
- Dr. Karen Haynes, President, California State University, San Marcos
2018 Scholarships Celebration
June 30, 2018 | Tom Ham’s Lighthouse
The San Diego Foundation donors and scholarship recipients gathered at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse to celebrate more than $2.6 million in scholarships awarded to over 875 local students in 2018. Congratulations to all scholarships recipients and a big thank you to our generous donors who made these scholarships possible.
Clearing the Air: Addressing the Health Impacts of Air Quality in San Diego
June 22, 2018 | La Mesa Community Center
The Malin Burnham Center for Civic Engagement at The San Diego Foundation presented an engaging conversation about San Diego’s declining air quality with health and environment experts, to create understanding and promote dialogue about what more can be done for the 400,000 San Diegans who are at heightened risk from air pollution.
Conversation with Community Hero Imam Taha Hassane
June 18, 2018 | KPBS Copley Telecommunications Center
Social justice proponent Imam Taha Hassane, who has forged collaborative alliances with organizations and religious leaders to address challenging civic issues, is the KPBS and National Conflict Resolution Center’s Community Hero for civility in politics.
Community Heroes is sponsored by The San Diego Foundation.
2018 Donor & Legacy League Appreciation Luncheon
April 29, 2018 | Building 177, Liberty Station
At The San Diego Foundation 2018 Donor & Legacy League Appreciation Luncheon, three San Diego women changemakers took center stage to share their personal stories of generosity. Learn how San Diego Foundation donors Dede Alpert, Darcy Bingham and Alicia Gwynn have continued to improve the quality of life for San Diegans with a focus on San Diego youth.
Conversation with Community Hero Steve Binder
March 22, 2018 | KPBS Copley Telecommunications Center
Deputy Public Defender Steve Binder, who co-founded a game-changing court program that helps homeless individuals get back on their feet and leave the streets, has been named a Community Hero by KPBS and the National Conflict Resolution Center.
Community Heroes is sponsored by The San Diego Foundation.
Beyond the Wall San Diego Film Premiere
February 20, 2018 | Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA)
San Diegans joined The Malin Burhnam Center for Civic Engagement for the San Diego premiere of the documentary Beyond the Wall. Following the film screening, editor at The San Diego Union-Tribune Dana Littlefield moderated a panel discussion about reducing recividism with local experts, including Senior Policy Advisor for the Council of State Governments Justice Center and former San Diego County Chief of Probation Mack Jenkins, San Diego County Director for the Center for Employment Opportunities Robert Smith, and San Diego Workforce Partnership CEO Peter Callstrom.
Conversation with Community Hero Diane Takvorian
January 11, 2018 | KPBS Copley Telecommunications Center
Environmental justice champion Diane Takvorian, whose organization has helped empower low-income residents seeking a healthy and sustainable quality of life for their neighborhoods, is the KPBS and the National Conflict Resolution Center’s Community Hero for environmental sustainability.
Community Heroes is sponsored by The San Diego Foundation.
2017 Annual Meeting: Gathering Community for Opportunity
October 19, 2017 | Liberty Station
Local philanthropists and community leaders gathered together to learn about local efforts to improve our civility at The San Diego Foundation Annual Meeting, Gathering Community for Opportunity. The event brought guests together to celebrate a year of giving with friends, and engage with one another about the most pressing topics we face in San Diego, California, and nationally.
Conversation with Community Hero Elizabeth Lopez
September 28, 2017 | KPBS Copley Telecommunications Center
San Diego Attorney Elizabeth Lopez is the KPBS and National Conflict Resolution Center’s Community Hero, selected for her pro bono immigration work with individuals fleeing persecution in their home countries and seeking asylum in San Diego and Imperial counties.
Community Heroes is sponsored by The San Diego Foundation.
Conversation with Community Hero Anne Wilson
June 29, 2017 | Lafayette Hotel
Anne Wilson has been “making home happen” for lower incomes families and seniors for 30 years. As part of the KPBS and the National Conflict Resolution Center Community Heroes initiative, San Diegans gathered to honor Anne Wilson for her accomplishments in Affordable Housing. Wilson discussed the impact of Community HousingWorks and facilitated dialogue about affordable housing in San Diego.
Community Heroes is sponsored by The San Diego Foundation and Jewish Community Foundation.
Conversation with Community Hero Elizabeth Bustos
April 3, 2017 | Kitchens for Good at the Jacobs Center
To Elizabeth Bustos, the road to racial justice begins with the fundamental right of everyone to have access to quality healthcare. As part of the KPBS and the National Conflict Resolution Center Community Heroes initiative, San Diegans gathered to honor Bustos for her accomplishments in Racial Justice and Equality. Bustos discussed the impact of the San Diego Cardiac Disparities Project and facilitated dialogue about racial justice and equality in San Diego.
Community Heroes is sponsored by The San Diego Foundation and Jewish Community Foundation.
Dolores San Diego Premiere
March 23, 2017 | San Diego Latino Film Festival
Community leaders joined us at the exclusive San Diego premiere of Dolores at the San Diego Latino Film Festival. Following the screening, Dolores Huerta and her son Emilio Huerta sat down for an interview with The San Diego Foundation President Kathlyn Mead to discuss the importance of civic engagement in shaping history and social change. The Foundation sponsored the film screening.
