Escondido Community Foundation 2020 Virtual Grants Celebration
October 1
Escondido Community Foundation will award 2020-2021 nonprofit grantees serving the community and celebrate more than $300,000 in grants this year.
Exclusive to Escondido Community Foundation members
Community Conversation: Equitable Access to the Outdoors
Saturday, October 3, 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Politifest (via Zoom)
Join The San Diego Foundation and our Thrive Outside San Diego partners for a community conversation about equitable access to parks and safe outdoor spaces in the San Diego region at Voice of San Diego’s Politifest Virtual Summit.
Speakers will discuss findings from new research conducted by The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego and The San Diego Foundation’s Parks for Everyone 2020 report, including equity barriers and benefits of green space for children and families.
Launched in 2011, Politifest is an annual public affairs summit produced by Voice of San Diego that focuses on issues affecting San Diego communities. This year’s summit will take place September 29-October 3.
Speakers
Lesford Duncan, MPH, Senior Director of Programs, Outdoor Outreach
As Senior Director of Programs at Outdoor Outreach, Lesford Duncan provides leadership to the development, implementation and evaluation of Outdoor Outreach programs and initiatives with emphasis on measurable outcomes and impact. Prior to joining Outdoor Outreach, he worked in child welfare, cultural competency and behavioral health for the County of San Bernardino, California. There, he educated on the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), developed trauma-informed programs for building resilience in children and youth, and developed strategies for increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in County human services. He is also a Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity, ultramarathon runner, and avid hiker and outdoorsman.
Tessa Tinkler, Senior Research Associate, The Nonprofit Institute at USD
Tessa is a Senior Research Associate at Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research, University of San Diego, a center that provides research, evaluation and consulting services that help build the capacity of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. She has more than 15 years of experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation in K-12 schools and nonprofit organizations. Prior to coming to the University of San Diego, she worked for eight years as an evaluator and researcher at the City Heights Educational Collaborative, a university-school partnership designed to increase college and career readiness for low-income students in San Diego.
Santos Plaza, Field Instructor & Program Graduate, Outdoor Outreach
Santos is a Field Instructor at Outdoor Outreach, a nonprofit that connects youth to the transformative power of the outdoors. He works with other instructors helping youth challenge themselves through all of the programs and activities offered by Outdoor Outreach. Prior to joining Outdoor Outreach, Santos was a high school student working with volunteers across San Diego County. Santos served as the President of a student-run organization at The O’Farrell Charter Schools, where he was also employed as a student aid.
Heather Rossetti, Manager, Thrive Outside San Diego, The San Diego Foundation
Heather manages the Thrive Outside Community Initiative at The San Diego Foundation, which was launched in 2019 through the Outdoor Foundation and local partners to increase meaningful, repeat and reinforcing outdoor opportunities for youth and families in San Diego County. Prior to this role, Heather served as a Program Specialist at The Foundation, overseeing key objectives in the Community Impact department.
Past Events
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.
