San Diego Foundation Announces $2M Available for Expanded Learning Programs that Accelerate Elementary and Middle School Student Learning and Address COVID-Related Isolation and Trauma

November 22, 2022 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Foundation announced today that it has $2 million in multi-year grant funding available for community-based organizations to provide and advocate for expanded learning programming for elementary and middle school students in San Diego County.

“High-quality expanded learning programs such as after-school programs have strong connections to instruction and provide enriching opportunities for students furthest from opportunity,” said Michelle Jaramillo, Director of Educational Initiatives. “Post-COVID, summer learning programs are more critical than ever to help students accelerate learning, and address the isolation and trauma experienced during the height of the pandemic.”

New data reveals greater learning loss for students compared to pre-pandemic levels than originally estimated. Decreases were the greatest amongst students traditionally furthest from opportunity, widening already existing learning gaps between White students and students of color.

Students hit hardest by COVID-19 were already the student groups facing the greatest barriers and the worst outcomes. Presently, with currently available public funding, districts, schools and community-based partners face a unique opportunity to provide unique and impactful summer learning programming.

SDF is seeking proposals from community-based organizations delivering high-quality summer learning programs to San Diego County students over the course of summer 2023 and summer 2024, with a focus on North, East and South County 3rd through 8^th grade students who are furthest from opportunity, including those from low-income households, English learners and students with disabilities. SDF anticipates awarding 12 to 15 grants of approximately $100,000 to $175,000 for the two-year period.

This funding opportunity will also entertain proposals from organizations that may not be delivering direct summer learning or expanded learning programming, but organize around and advocate for these investments.

SDF will host a grantseekers forum and summer learning workshop from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, and office hours with SDF Education Initiatives team members on Friday, Dec. 2 and 9. The deadline to apply for a grant is Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. To apply or learn more about this grant opportunity, visit the SDF website.

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. The Education Initiative supports K-12 and higher education programs to extend opportunity to San Diego students as they prepare for success in life and work. For more than 47 years, SDF and its donors have granted more than $1.45 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