Nonprofit Impact Stories
Nonprofit grantees transform lives across our region.
Crisis Philanthropy
Crisis Philanthropy
Workforce Development
Children & Families
What We Fund
This past year, we granted more than $150 million – the most charitable year in our organization’s history dating back to 1975.
While donor-directed grants from advised funds contribute to the Foundation’s overall grantmaking efforts, the vast majority of our discretionary and competitive grantmaking directly aligns to the priorities outlined in our Strategic Plan, including:
- Advancing racial and social justice
- Fostering equity of opportunity
- Building resilient communities
Apply for a Grant
From education and the environment to racial and social justice, workforce development, and more, we open competitive grant cycles aligned with our Strategic Plan priorities to help nonprofit organizations make a greater impact and transform the lives of San Diegans.
Build Enduring Assets
Hundreds of forward-thinking nonprofit leaders establish Nonprofit Funds at SDF to support long-term their organization’s sustainability and strengthen our region.
We handle fund administration and provide world-class investment management of your assets, so you can focus on what’s most important: your mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the relationship between the Foundation and nonprofits? How does my organization apply for funding? Who can apply for a grant? Get answers to these questions and more.
Resources
SDF Grant Portal
Open a Nonprofit Fund
Nonprofit Events & Opportunities
Additional Resources
- Amplified Impact Partners provides free, hands-on, customized consulting to nonprofits looking to strengthen its organization and grow its impact.
- The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) San Diego Chapter is a professional development group for fundraisers. It is a great organization to learn about capacity building, networking and education.
- Grants.gov is the gateway to the federal grants world. Learn more about the federal grants process and how to register to their system.
- CalNonprofits offers a wide array of resources for California-based nonprofits.
- The California Attorney General’s Guide for Charities provides information about best practices for nonprofits operating or fundraising in California.
- U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Applying for Section 501(c)(3) status. Read a PDF or view a video about how to file for nonprofit status.
- Mission Driven Finance provides services in nonprofit investment opportunities and financial services.
- The Nonprofit Board Exchange is a free service offered by Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego in collaboration with their community partners to expand the pool of nonprofit board members in San Diego by sharing training, resources and listings of open board positions.
- Nonprofit Hub produces free guides on several helpful topics for nonprofits.
- BoardSource provides resources and tools on a wide range of board leadership topics that help educate nonprofits and their boards, including downloadable resources, articles and publications.
- Learn how to claim and update your organization’s Candid profile. Nonprofit profiles serve as a fundraising tool in telling an organization’s story and are viewed by numerous funders and foundations.
- The Nonprofit Institute’s Digital Library houses public reports and evaluations, including our State of California and State of Nonprofits & Philanthropy Annual Reports.
- Wallace Foundation offers general nonprofit resources, including articles and studies by leading thinkers in nonprofit finances.
- The National Council on Nonprofits helps nonprofits achieve greater collective impact by identifying emerging trends, sharing proven practices, and promoting solutions that benefit charitable nonprofits and their communities.
- Volunteer Management Guide provides tools and best practices for effectively managing volunteers.
- Tech Soup offers free and discounted software and hardware for nonprofits.
- Impact Cubed’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Resource Library provides a growing list of DEI resources from community partners, including the Alliance for Regional Solutions, Fieldstone Leadership Network, and North County Philanthropy Council.
- The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University shares a monthly newsletter with resources to assist nonprofits in early education health, social services and service providers.
- The Nonprofit Resource Exchange San Diego is a free collaborative platform offered by Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego in collaboration with its community partners to offer a place where nonprofit organizations can share resources that help the sector lead teams, serve clients, reimagine operations and sustain its missions for the future.
- The Nonprofit Career Exchange is a job announcement bulletin offered by Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego (FLNSD) for nonprofit professionals searching for their next opportunity.