For Immediate Release
Latest grantmaking round made possible thanks to dozens of contributions, including an $8 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
December 17, 2020 – San Diego, CA – The San Diego Foundation today announced the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund has granted an additional $1.8 million to nonprofit organizations helping San Diegans in need.
The latest round of grantmaking is made possible thanks to dozens of individual and business contributions, including an $8 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, author and Giving Pledge participant.
The 34 nonprofit grant recipients are delivering much-needed food security, financial assistance, learning loss support and other basic needs to local communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic. In total, the fund has granted $54.7 million to over 200 nonprofit organizations working on the frontline of the COVID-19 health and economic crisis.
“The holiday season is about hope and generosity,” shared Mark Stuart, President & CEO of The San Diego Foundation. “The transformational gift from MacKenzie Scott and generosity from other charitable San Diegans provides a critical lifeline to nonprofit organizations helping San Diegans in need right now.”
MacKenzie Scott considered more than 6,400 nonprofits nationwide for funding. The 384 – or 6% — that received her support were selected through a rigorous, data-driven approach that valued strong leadership teams, results, and high potential for impact.
Since March 16, The San Diego Foundation has raised more than $64 million for the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund through 3,500 individuals, businesses, foundations, government funding and donor-advised funds.
The latest round of rapid response grants includes:
San Diego County Office of Education – $1,000,000
To provide thousands of students and their families internet connectivity and technology required for distance learning
Feeding San Diego – $50,000
To increase the number of San Diegans receiving food assistance during the pandemic
North County Lifeline – $50,000
To provide support and resources to children impacted by the health and economic crisis
San Diego LGBTQ Community Center – $50,000
To provide virtual crisis counseling, support and other essential services such as food, housing and healthcare to the LGBTQ community
University of San Diego Nonprofit Institute – $50,000
To evaluate the impact of local crisis philanthropy efforts to help inform future grantmaking efforts
Wakeland Housing & Development Corporation – $50,000
To provide children in need with one-on-one homework tutoring and support English-Language Learner parents
Urban Life Ministries, Inc. – $41,000
To deliver nutritious meals, enhance existing after-school college-prep program and provide academic tutoring to prevent learning loss
Just in Time for Foster Youth – $40,426
To assist transition-age foster youth with stable housing, education support, financial assistance and other critical services that will help them remain independent
California State University, San Marcos – $40,000
To support the Pathways to Academic Success & Opportunities initiative
Concerned Parents Alliance, Inc. – $35,000
To provide college-bound students with the resources and support they need to continue their academic journey
Community Through Hope – $32,000
To provide food security and other critical resources to seniors who have difficulty obtaining food and items from local pantries
Lincoln High School – $30,000
To further bridge the digital divide and provide high speed internet access for students at Lincoln High School
Paving Great Futures – $30,000
To provide food and basic resources to San Diegans in need, while also supporting other organizations with transportation of essential products
Alzheimer’s San Diego – $25,000
To provide dementia-specific services with experts, including education, support groups and virtual social activities
Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition – $25,000
To remove victims of human trafficking from dangerous environments and provide them with emergency housing, medical care, food, education and a pathway forward
Center for Community Solutions – $25,000
To provide shelter and other essential services to survivors of relationship and sexual violence
San Diego Canyonlands – $25,000
To provide City Heights and Southeast San Diego students with STEAM education lessons during the pandemic
Fallbrook Senior Citizens Service Club – $21,000
To provide meals for seniors living in poverty in the Fallbrook community
Elder Law & Advocacy – $20,000
To protect the health and well-being of long-term care residents with advocacy, public awareness and education
Girls Rising – $20,000
To provide young girls with mentorship and other support critical to their development
HealthRIGHT 360 – $20,000
To provide personal protective equipment and meal prep services, as well as telehealth support and COVID-19 testing at congregate living sites
La Colonia de Eden Gardens – $20,000
To develop a community of parents dedicated to their children’s education and confident in navigating the current landscape by offering culturally competent native language education and resources
No Silence No Violence – $20,000
To provide rent and financial assistance to women living in abusive situations who have lost a job due to COVID-19 and need a safe place to live
transcenDANCE – $20,000
To provide youth with artistic education, as well as social and emotional resilience support during the pandemic
Youth Will (via RISE Urban Leadership Institute of San Diego) – $20,000
To provide capacity building and technical assistance resources
Educational Enrichment Systems – $17,291
To support distance learning programs and provide learning supplies for students and teachers
Boys & Girls Club of Vista – $15,000
To expand access to academic support for students disproportionately impacted by the pandemic
Ramona Senior Center (via Pacific Educational Facilities) – $15,000
To provide homebound seniors with weekly nutritious meals, toiletries and visits
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum – $15,000
To provide virtual workshops, as well as art and STEM activity kits for children in preschool through grade three
San Diego Young Artists Music Academy – $15,000
To offer music-focused distance learning programs that help students struggling with depression and social isolation
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center – $11,000
To support Fleet Distance Learning Hubs and give youth more access to digital learning opportunities
Christie’s Place – $10,000
To provide telehealth services, food security and other critical resources to children and families living with HIV and AIDS
Timken Museum of Art – $7,000
To provide educational programming for marginalized teenagers who are incarcerated at the Kearny Mesa Juvenile Hall
Fulfilling Destiny – $5,000
To provide health supplies and critical support services to homeless and low-income women
Businesses, individuals and organizations can donate and find additional information about the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund at SDFoundation.org/COVID19.
The San Diego Foundation is part of a national movement of more than 600 community foundations that have mobilized more than $1 billion 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.
