City of Escondido Partners with Escondido Community Foundation to Grant $1.5M to Escondido-Serving Nonprofits

The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act

May 12, 2022 – Escondido, CA – The Escondido Community Foundation and The San Diego Foundation have partnered with the City of Escondido to grant $1.5 million to nonprofit organizations that serve the city.

“The Escondido Community Foundation is honored to work with the City of Escondido to help manage the grant funding process for the city’s American Rescue Plan funding for nonprofits,” said Ken Lounsbery, Escondido Community Foundation board chair. “It is our commitment to serve the needs of our community by encouraging and increasing effective and responsible philanthropy. Through the City of Escondido Nonprofit Relief Fund, we hope local nonprofits will be able to continue their services and grow their operations to serve our neighbors and friends in Escondido.”

The City of Escondido Nonprofit Relief Fund will begin accepting online applications on Thursday, May 12, at sdivsbdc.org/grant-for-escondido-nonprofits. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m., August 11. To apply, nonprofits must be located in or serve the city of Escondido. Priority consideration will be given to:

• Nonprofits serving or located in the city’s Opportunity Zone
• Nonprofits that focus on the performing arts, music and culture; early childhood education; senior services; and, organizations involved in health, nutrition and well-being will have first priority; however, all non-profits that suffered losses during the pandemic are strongly encouraged to apply
• Nonprofits that did not receive allocations through such programs as the Paycheck Protection Program, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, California Relief Grant and/or the City’s Small Business Relief Fund

“Nonprofits provide a vital role in supporting our community members, and in creating a vibrant environment for our residents and visitors,” said Paul McNamara, Mayor of Escondido. “Nonprofits also serve as economic drivers for our City and many are still recovering from the effects of COVID-19 closures. We hope that these funds can help the economic stability of nonprofits serving Escondido on their way to financial recovery.”

The Escondido Community Foundation will review applications after the submission period closes on August 11; grant recipients will be notified in late September. Technical assistance, including two recorded Q&A webinars and office hours, will be provided by the San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center. For application assistance and/or additional details about eligibility and required documents, visit sdivsbdc.org/grant-for-escondido-nonprofits.

About the City of Escondido

Incorporated in 1888, Escondido is a safe, clean and efficiently managed city of over 150,000 residents. Escondido is home to a growing number of businesses and a wide range of cultural, educational, healthcare, tourism and recreation amenities, making the City the ideal destination in which to live, work and play. Learn more at Escondido.org.