San Diego Foundation believes that mental and behavioral health are critical to creating a just, equitable and resilient region.
That belief is evident in the $2.1 million in grants awarded to 34 local nonprofits that are working every day to ensure children, youth and families across our region have better access to vital mental health services.
This funding is part of SDF’s broader commitment to advancing health equity and improving outcomes for underserved communities. The grants address growing mental health challenges, particularly those exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, by supporting culturally responsive, trauma-informed care in both school and community settings.
Responding to an Urgent Need
Recent data show that mental health challenges among young people are on the rise.
“Mental health issues are the leading cause of youth hospitalization in California,” shares Mark Stuart, SDF President & CEO. “San Diego Foundation is awarding grants to local organizations working on the front lines of this crisis, because every young person deserves timely, equitable access to the mental health support they need to thrive.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three high school students reports persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and suicide is a leading cause of death for young people ages 10 – 14, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. These statistics point to an urgent need for greater access to quality mental health care, especially in communities where services have historically been limited.
SDF’s latest round of grants is designed to empower organizations that are already deeply embedded in these communities. By supporting trusted partners with strong cultural and linguistic ties, SDF is working to ensure that families across the region can access care that is both effective and accessible.
The grants ensure that local organizations have the resources they need to expand culturally responsive, trauma-informed care in schools, at home, and in neighborhoods where children and families live and thrive.
Supporting Local Changemakers
The 34 grantees include a range of organizations, from school-based programs to community clinics, each bringing unique expertise and trusted relationships with the populations they serve. Collectively, these organizations will offer a range of services — from one-on-one counseling and family support groups to preventative education and early intervention services.
In addition to increasing access to services for local children, youth and families, grants were also awarded to address the critical need for more mental and behavioral health workers in San Diego County. According to the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s San Diego Behavioral Health Workforce Report, the San Diego region will need an estimated 18,500 additional mental and behavioral health professionals by 2027.
More than $1.2 million was granted to provide direct services, with $925,000 awarded for local mental and behavioral health workforce development programs. This year’s grantees can be found online, along with a short description of their funded projects.
A History of Helping
Since 2017, SDF has granted $7.6 million through 128 grants to nonprofits providing mental and behavioral health support and services to local families through the Early Childhood Initiative and the Healthy Children & Families Initiative.
These initiatives are funded in part by the Guy Clum Early Childhood Fund and the Blasker-Rose-Miah Endowment Fund at San Diego Foundation. Partnership with Coastal Community Foundation has enabled additional aligned funding for this initiative.
This work benefitting children and families in San Diego County aligns with Fifty & Forward, a multi-year grantmaking and fundraising campaign that SDF originally launched in 2021 and publicly announced in 2024. The goal of the ambitious campaign is to partner with donors to grant $500 million to nonprofits supporting education, children and families, and the environment, while fundraising $1 billion to help shape San Diego’s future. To date, $335 million has been granted through the Fifty & Forward campaign.
