September 25, 2026 – Escondido, CA – Escondido residents will have greater access to veterinary care, therapeutic animal programs and educational experiences thanks to $183,000 in grants from Escondido Community Foundation (ECF), an affiliate of San Diego Foundation (SDF).
The grants come as ECF celebrates 20 years of local philanthropy in Escondido. This year’s funding supports seven nonprofit organizations working to strengthen the connection between people and animals through veterinary care, pet adoption and support, therapeutic programs, spay and neuter services and wildlife education.
ECF recognized this year’s grantees during its 2026 Grants Celebration on Sept. 24 at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.
This year’s grants support:
- Frosted Faces Foundation, $35,000: For Senior Animal Programs to Support People & Pets, helping Escondido residents adopt and foster senior pets while providing ongoing veterinary care to help pets and their families stay together.
- Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE), $35,000: For Save-A-Life, providing financial assistance to Escondido families facing urgent, life-threatening veterinary emergencies so their pets can receive needed care.
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, $35,000: For Escondido Students at the Safari Park, providing free transportation, admission and educational programming for Escondido elementary school classrooms, with a focus on Title I schools serving under-resourced communities.
- Spay Neuter Action Project (SNAP), $33,000: For Low-Cost Spay/Neuter for Escondido Pets, providing affordable spay and neuter, vaccination and microchipping services to help local pet owners keep their animals healthy and safe.
- Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center, $25,000: For Improving Access to Escondido Residents, expanding access to therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities that support physical, emotional and mental well-being.
- Project Street Vet, $10,000: For Escondido Outreach, providing free veterinary care for pets belonging to people experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
- Helen Woodward Animal Center, $10,000: For Pet Encounter Therapy, bringing therapy animals to skilled nursing facilities, memory care communities, recovery centers and social service organizations to provide comfort, connection and engagement.
“Animals bring comfort, companionship and joy into our lives, and for many people, that bond can be incredibly meaningful,” said Rosemary Burson, Escondido Community Foundation board chair. “These grants will ensure more Escondido residents can care for the animals they love, experience the healing power of those connections and give young people opportunities to learn about and appreciate the wildlife around them. As we celebrate 20 years of giving in Escondido, we’re grateful to our members whose generosity continues to make this work possible.”
For two decades, ECF has brought people together through philanthropy to respond to emerging needs and benefit those who live, work and play in Escondido.
To become an ECF member, visit EscondidoCommunityFoundation.org.
About San Diego Foundation
San Diego Foundation believes in just, equitable and resilient communities where every San Diegan can prosper, thrive and feel like they belong. We partner with donors, nonprofits and regional leaders to advance solutions that respond to community needs and strengthen San Diego. Since 1975, SDF has granted more than $2 billion to nonprofits to improve quality of life in San Diego County and beyond. Learn more at SDFoundation.org.
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