COVID-19 Community Response Fund Grants $9.9 Million to more than 90 Nonprofits in 8 Weeks

For Immediate Release

Round 9 of grantmaking totals $2.9 million to 30 nonprofit organizations

May 14, 2020 – San Diego, CA – The San Diego Foundation today announced the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund has granted $9.9 million to more than 90 organizations working on the frontline of the COVID-19 health and economic crisis.

The latest round of rapid response grants, totaling $2.9 million, will assist San Diegans impacted by the pandemic by increasing access to childcare, preventing homelessness for low-income families and supporting San Diegans impacted by domestic violence.

“We’ve seen a 155 percent increase in giving from donor-advised funds at The Foundation this year compared to the same period last year,” shared Mark Stuart, President & CEO of The San Diego Foundation. “As we work together to overcome one of the most significant challenges our region has ever faced, San Diegans are giving generously to help their neighbors, friends and co-workers.”

To date, the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund has raised $14.2 million in donations, including $1 million from Illumina Foundation and $250,000 from Greg Koch of Stone Brewing. Grantmaking is made possible thanks to more than 2,977 individuals, businesses, foundations and donor-advised funds.

The latest round of rapid response grants include:

YMCA of San Diego County – $1,000,000

To support summer camp programs and childcare services, as well as camp scholarships for low-income children and families.

San Diego Unified School District – $700,000

To provide internet connectivity for thousands of low-income students and their families.

La Maestra Family Clinic – $150,000

To provide coronavirus testing, case management and food security to vulnerable populations.

Episcopal Community Services – $135,000

To provide meals for students and families involved in Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

San Diego Workforce Partnership – $110,000

To support the High Road Kitchens initiative, which feeds thousands of residents and gives local restaurant workers economic stability.

City Heights Community Development Corporation – $100,000

To provide housing assistance to low-income workers and families in City Heights.

Community Resource Center – $100,000

To provide housing, social services and domestic violence support for individuals and families impacted by homelessness.

Jewish Family Service of San Diego – $100,000

To support basic needs and keep vulnerable San Diegans housed during the crisis.

San Diego Center for Children – $100,000

To provide telehealth services for youth, case management for families and medical support for frontline healthcare workers.

Mama’s Kitchen – $75,000

To provide food security and support for critically ill San Diegans and their children.

Casa de Amistad – $50,000

To provide technology, food security, financial assistance and medical supplies to low-income and vulnerable communities.

Hannah’s House – $50,000

To provide critical services and safety to children and survivors of domestic violence during COVID-19.

Interfaith Shelter Network of San Diego – $50,000

To meet basic needs, including food security and shelter, for low-income families.

International Rescue Committee – $50,000

To provide critical services and support for vulnerable residents, including refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants.

License to Freedom – $50,000

To prevent homelessness by providing critical financial assistance and support to survivors of domestic violence.

SAY San Diego – $50,000

To provide food security and housing support for low-income families already engaged with the organization and its partners.

Walden Family Services – $50,000

To provide essential services and emergency support to vulnerable children and families.

Women’s Resource Center – $50,000

To provide food, housing and financial assistance to low-income families and San Diegans impacted by domestic violence.

Pillars of the Community – $35,000

To provide individualized support and resources to formerly incarcerated San Diegans.

Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center/International Community Foundation – $30,000

To provide nutritious meals and support services to low-to-moderate income families and individuals in National City.

Logan Heights Community Development Corporation – $27,000

To support the Future Achievers preschool program and provide childcare for low-income families and first responders.

Access Youth Academy – $25,000

To provide food security and financial assistance to low-income students and their families.

Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce – $25,000

To provide financial assistance to minority-owned small businesses and their employees.

San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – $25,000

To provide financial assistance to minority-owned small businesses and their employees.

Alliance for African Assistance – $20,000

To provide individualized language consultation, education and advocacy for low-to-moderate income San Diegans.

Bonita Family Resource Center – $20,000

To provide enrollment assistance for San Diegans seeking CalFresh benefits.

Dreams for Change – $20,000

To provide food security, health supplies and case management to San Diegans impacted by homelessness.

San Diego Public Library Foundation – $20,000

To provide online programming, education and learning resources for children and teens impacted by COVID-19.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church – $25,000

To provide food security, rental assistance and additional resources to Sudanese and Congolese refugee communities in San Diego.

Urban Youth Collaborative – $10,000

To provide food security and support to vulnerable students and their families.

Businesses, individuals and organizations can donate and find additional information about the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund at SDFoundation.org/COVID19 where nonprofit organizations can also find information about how to request grant funding or more information about the interest-free loan program.

The San Diego Foundation is part of a national movement of more than 350 community foundations that have mobilized over $723 million to aid in the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis through response funds. Individual donations are bolstered by San Diego corporations and numerous donor-advised funds at The San Diego Foundation that have contributed to the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

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About the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund

The San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund at The San Diego Foundation was created in partnership with San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, San Diego Gas & Electric, United Way of San Diego County, San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, NEWS 8 and Alliance Healthcare Foundation to receive donations and make rolling rapid response grants to nonprofit organizations supporting impacted communities, particularly those that are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic and its economic consequences. Grants focus on food security; other essential living expenses; emergent needs such as closing the digital divide; and rent and utility payment support. Thousands of individuals, businesses and foundations have contributed to the Fund, and 100 percent of donations are provided to nonprofits. Learn more at SDFoundation.org/COVID19.

About The San Diego Foundation

The San Diego Foundation inspires enduring philanthropy and enables community solutions to improve quality of life in our region. For more than 45 years, The Foundation and our donors have granted more than $1.2 billion to support nonprofit organizations and strengthen our San Diego community. Learn more at SDFoundation.org and consider a donation to the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund, helping nonprofits and San Diegans affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Contact

Justin Nunez, The San Diego Foundation, 336-254-7056, justin@sdfoundation.org