Grantmaking to Local Nonprofits for Year-End Impact

As we approach the end of the year, we know you’re not only thinking about tax deadlines. You’re thinking about impact, and about how you can help our community.

The past year has challenged us to come together like never before. Thanks to your generosity, The San Diego Foundation granted more than $77 million to nonprofits that strengthen our community – the most charitable year in our history.

To date, our COVID-19 Community Response Fund has contributed more than $52 million to nonprofits working on the frontline of the pandemic. Our longstanding programs continue to help young San Diegans and families most in need. And our Black Community Investment Fund just launched to strengthen racial equity in the region for current and future generations of Black San Diegans.

We’ve been inspired by stories of impact from our COVID-19 Community Response Fund grantees and programs, including Ocean Discovery Institute, Computers 2 Kids, High Roads Kitchens, YMCA of San Diego County and many more.

More than 3,300 individuals, families and businesses contributed to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, in addition to donor-advised funds that have provided millions more to meet the needs of the crisis in San Diego County.

During these unprecedented times, our donors have answered the call to lift up our most vulnerable communities amid the coronavirus crisis.

Year-End Grantmaking

Donors establish donor-advised funds at community foundations to utilize charitable giving expertise and community knowledge, and make meaningful grants to valuable nonprofit organizations.

As you consider how to respond to the continued uncertainty in our region during the remainder of 2020, we’re here to help you maximize both your charitable giving impact and yearly tax deductions.

The most critical date to remember is this: Grants guaranteed to be postmarked before December 31 must be received by Thursday, December 17 at 12:00pm.

To recommend a grant, login to your MyTSDF account. Click on “Recommend a Grant” and follow the instructions. Or, contact our Donor Services team at (619) 814-1332 or DonorServices@sdfoundation.org.

Grant Recommendation Process

Each community foundation has a grant recommendation process and guidelines to follow.

The following is our grantmaking recommendation process at The San Diego Foundation. Note that our Board of Governors typically approves all grant recommendations unless the purpose is not charitable and/or there is a real or perceived conflict of interest in making the grant.

• The required minimum for grant awards is $250.
• Final approval of the grant award resides with The Foundation’s Board of Governors.
  • The Executive Committee is solicited each Friday through an approval poll so that they may review all recommendations.
  • Grant recommendations must be submitted by Thursday at 12:00 p.m. (noon) for inclusion in the current week’s approval poll.
  • Recommendations received after this cutoff will be submitted on the following Friday’s poll.
• Grant award checks are mailed directly to recipient organizations. An award letter accompanies the check, which is mailed out within three working days of approval.
• Grant awards cannot provide a personal benefit to any donor, fund advisor, staff member or volunteer at The Foundation, and cannot represent the payment of a personal pledge or financial obligation.

Year-End Giving Guidelines

Refer to the critical dates below to ensure that contributions and grant recommendations are received and processed by December 31, the IRS deadline for yearly tax deduction eligibility.