January 30, 2024 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Foundation (SDF) announced today that it has granted $120,000 to community-based nonprofits for local flood relief and raised more than $550,000 for the San Diego Flood Response Fund.
The response fund deploys flexible resources into the community and supports organizations responding to the unprecedented flooding that occurred on January 22 in San Diego County.
“With more than 500 donations already made from individuals, foundations and companies throughout our region, our community is giving generously through the San Diego Flood Response Fund to improve the lives of those impacted by the flood,” said Mark Stuart, President & CEO of San Diego Foundation. “One hundred percent of donations are directed to the greatest needs as identified by our nonprofit partners, who are on the ground daily and with whom we are working closely.”
The $120,000 in grants were awarded to:
- Jackie Robinson YMCA – $25,000 to provide access to showers, hot meals, counselors and other essential support to survivors of San Diego’s historic flood.
- San Diego County Black Chamber of Commerce – $25,000 to provide grants to small family-owned restaurants that have and will continue to provide hot meals to survivors of San Diego’s historic floods.
- Harvey Family Foundation – $25,000 to provide ongoing support to flood survivors, including debris and furniture removal, cleaning supplies for homeowners and volunteers, hot meals for homeowners and volunteers, trash removal and other support.
- YMCA of San Diego County – $25,000 to provide gift cards directly to families in need to assist with the purchase of essential items.
- Sharia’s Closet – $10,000 to provide clothing, shoes and other essentials to survivors of San Diego’s historic flood.
SDF has identified and convened an advisory council to recommend grants for local nonprofits. Members are comprised of nonprofit, corporate and community leaders, including:
- Armon Harvey, Executive Director, Harvey Family Foundation
- Kazeem Omidiji, Director, Community Relations, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
- Annie Rios, Esq., President & CEO, Uprise Theatre
- Jennette Lawrence Shay, Chief Operating Officer, Price Philanthropies
- Rudy Vargas, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Price Philanthropies
- Jason Shanley, President & CEO, Building Justice
- Pamela Gray Payton, VP, Chief Impact & Partnerships Officer, San Diego Foundation
- Katie Rast, Director, Community Impact, San Diego Foundation
Several San Diego-based foundations and businesses have made donations to the fund, including $100,000 from Price Philanthropies, $50,000 from The Conrad Prebys Foundation, $25,000 from the San Diego Padres Foundation and $25,000 from SDG&E.
“Price Philanthropies is grateful to the community and civic leaders who are leading San Diego’s response and recovery efforts,” said Jennette Lawrence Shay, COO of Price Philanthropies. “We know the flood devastated many families, and we are committed to working collaboratively with our region to help these vulnerable households recover.”
“Understanding the urgent needs of our community, we have made a contribution to the San Diego Foundation’s emergency fund,” said Grant Oliphant, CEO of The Conrad Prebys Foundation. “We are grateful for the San Diego Foundation’s leadership. We encourage those who can join in supporting our fellow San Diegans at this time.”
To donate to the San Diego Flood Response Fund, visit SDFoundation.org/floodresponse.
The San Diego Flood Response Fund receives donations and makes emergency grants to nonprofit service organizations engaged in disaster response and relief. One hundred percent of donations to the San Diego Flood Response Fund go towards nonprofits helping San Diegans impacted by the flood. The San Diego Flood Response Fund does not grant directly to individuals or families, but to the nonprofit organizations that serve individuals and families.
About San Diego Foundation
San Diego Foundation inspires enduring philanthropy and enables community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region. Our strategic priorities include advancing racial and social justice, fostering equity of opportunity, building resilient communities, and delivering world-class philanthropy to realize our vision of just, equitable and resilient communities. Crisis Philanthropy is dedicated to quickly mobilizing local leaders, donors and partners to provide critical services and assistance when San Diegans are in need. For more than 48 years, SDF and its donors have granted $1.7 billion to support nonprofit organizations strengthening our community. Learn more at SDFoundation.org.
Contact
Lorena Nava Ruggero, San Diego Foundation, lruggero@sdfoundation.org, 619-814-1365
