December 8, 2017 – San Diego, CA – The San Diego Foundation today activated the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund to collect and manage charitable funds for the response and recovery from wildfires currently impacting the San Diego region, including the Lilac Fire. Donations can be made online at SDFoundation.org/DisasterFund or by texting “SDRecover” to 50155 via mobile phone.

The fund will receive donations and make grants to nonprofit service organizations engaged in disaster recovery and rebuilding. Funds granted through the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund will be based on a community needs assessment that leverages third party data, research and analysis to determine where the greatest needs are within the region.

The following is a statement from Kathlyn Mead, President and CEO of The San Diego Foundation, about the recent disaster and the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund:

“The San Diego Foundation is collaborating with San Diego County officials and emergency response organizations working around the clock to ensure the safety of our residents. The Foundation has activated the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund to ensure our region is able to effectively respond, recover and rebuild from the Lilac Fire and other wildfires currently impacting the San Diego region.”

“As we experienced in 2003 and 2007, the damage caused by wildfires can devastate entire communities, and the recovery process takes years. We know that following the immediate response there will be significant short-term and long-term needs for our fellow community members to rebuild their lives. The San Diego Regional Disaster Fund is activated to serve as a resource for survivors, community members, nonprofit organizations, government entities and donors.”

As San Diego’s local community foundation, The San Diego Foundation takes a leadership role to maximize the impact of charitable giving during the aftermath of wildfires and other disasters. The San Diego Regional Disaster Fund at The San Diego Foundation was established to prepare for regional crises and make grants to nonprofit organizations that provide relief to the San Diego region during and after a disaster. The San Diego Regional Disaster Fund does not grant directly to individuals or families, but to the nonprofit organizations that serve individuals and families.

About The San Diego Regional Disaster Fund

The San Diego Regional Disaster Fund (SDRDF) was developed by The San Diego Foundation to recover and rebuild from, and prepare for, local disasters. SDRDF collects funds and efficiently and effectively grants them into the community. The focus is on recovery, rebuilding and long-term preparedness efforts, by supporting the nonprofit sector serving the needs of a disaster-stricken community. Activated following the devastating wildfires of 2003 and 2007, more than $13 million from thousands of generous individuals, families and businesses has been granted for disaster recovery, rebuilding and preparedness with oversight from a committee of dedicated community leaders and experts.

About The San Diego Foundation

The San Diego Foundation maximizes the impact of your charitable giving. We mobilize philanthropic resources to advance quality of life, increase social impact and champion civic engagement. For more than 40 years, The Foundation and our donors have granted more than $1 billion to grow a vibrant San Diego region. Learn more on our website, and consider a donation to the Fund for the Future Endowment which supports San Diego community needs now and forever.

Contacts

Vince Heald, Beck Ellman Heald, 858-453-9600, vheald@behmedia.com
Justin Nunez, The San Diego Foundation, 336-254-7056, justin@sdfoundation.org