October 19, 2017 – San Diego, CA – The San Diego Foundation today announced it granted $50.9 million to the nonprofit community in Fiscal Year 2017. The milestone was celebrated on October 19 by more than 250 philanthropists and community leaders at The San Diego Foundation 2017 Annual Meeting: Gathering Community for Opportunity, and coincided with the launch of the 2017 Annual Report: Building Community for Opportunity.

“The global events of the past year have challenged us in ways that we may have once considered unimaginable,” noted Kathlyn Mead, President & CEO of The San Diego Foundation. “Through these challenges, hearts have been touched, and important conversations have begun. Yet, some might say that these events have tested our resolve as a community.”

“In 2017, The San Diego Foundation experienced a coming together of our community even stronger than before,” shared Board of Governors Chair Dr. Constance Carroll. “Many donors gave generously to those facing lack of opportunity, disaster, prejudice and violence. These contributions enabled The San Diego Foundation to provide support, necessary resources, a sense of optimism and a desire to work toward civility and peace locally, nationally and globally. This abundance of generosity is a constant reminder that we have the resolve to make a positive difference, and that in the face of adversity compassion prevails.”

Recently, donors of The San Diego Foundation have granted more than $700,000 to communities around the world that have been impacted by earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires.

In Fiscal Year 2017, hundreds of donors at The San Diego Foundation gave $50.93 million to accelerate change, disrupt the status quo, drive innovation and create opportunity. The Foundation promotes positive change through grantmaking, strategic partnerships and civic engagement that improves the lives of those in the San Diego region.

Today, in our connected world, philanthropy has the power to influence systemic change that can facilitate opportunity for diverse communities to live well and thrive.

During Fiscal Year 2017, The San Diego Foundation supported more than 1,714 nonprofit organizations with 5,686 individual grants. Grants were made to a variety of social impact areas, including: $12.3 million for Health & Human Services; $11.7 million for Education (including $4.2 million for scholarships and financial aid); $9.6 million for Arts and Culture; $7.2 million for Civil Society; $5.8 million for Environment; and $1.9 for Youth Development.

To build on the success of its Community Scholarship and Science & Technology Programs, The Foundation announced the launch of the Community Scholars Initiative, an innovative collaboration with Sweetwater Union High School District and Reality Changers to support low-income and first-generation students with college access, finances and graduation.

“Our community is allowing the potential of young people to go untapped, and that threatens our region’s economic vibrancy and promise of opportunity,” shared Mead. “Together, we can help low-income and first-generation students prepare for, pay for and persist through college. Their success is essential to our region’s future.”

The San Diego Foundation manages $744 million in total assets, including $474 million in endowment funds. Every dollar is invested under the expertise and leadership of The San Diego Foundation Investment Committee and investment managers.

“Fiscal Year 2017 yielded significant returns for our donors,” explained Matt Fettig, Chief Investment Officer at The San Diego Foundation. “Thanks in large part to the state of the market, a well-diversified portfolio and expertise of our Investment Committee and advisors, we reported strong performance across The Foundation’s endowment and non-endowment investment portfolios, which maximized the total amount and impact of giving in the region.”

Since 1975, The Foundation has stood as the San Diego region’s leading community foundation, enabling individuals, families, companies and agencies to give back to the community in meaningful and impactful ways. In its 42-year history, the organization has granted more than $1 billion to the nonprofit community.

To learn more about The Foundation’s recent impact in the region, visit SDFoundation.org/AnnualReport.

About The San Diego Foundation

The San Diego Foundation maximizes the impact of 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