Our Purpose

We’re a proud affiliate of The San Diego Foundation committed to meeting emerging needs in Escondido by encouraging and increasing effective and responsible philanthropy to benefit all who live, work and play in this special community.

Our purpose is to build an Escondido community endowment; provide funding annually to Escondido nonprofit organizations and causes; and give Escondido community members a vehicle for legacy planning and gifts that will benefit Escondido, now and forever.

Our Accomplishments

• Raised more than $2 million in contributions for the benefit of Escondido charitable causes
• Created a long-term Community Endowment of more than $1.2 million
• Secured matching funds totaling $100,000 from the City of Escondido, the Escondido Rotary Foundation and County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price
• Recruited more than 216 members, including 100 Founders who committed a minimum of $1,000 per year, for five years
• Created the Escondido After-the-Fires Fund to serve as a catalyst and convener for after-the-fires recovery efforts following the Witch Creek Fire of 2007
• Instrumental in distributing more than $106,000 in After-the-Fires Grants

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Grants

2019 Grant Cycle: LOI Guidelines

Focus Area: Community Engagement

The ECF Letter of Intent (LOI) is the first step in a two-step application process, which will facilitate the allocation of funding for Escondido-centered projects. The funding range is $15,000 to $35,000. ECF will evaluate all LOI submissions and qualify those that meet the program and eligibility criteria.

The outcome ECF is seeking is a more vibrant, harmonious community built through strong programs, activities and/or events. These will support and nurture social cohesion, interconnectedness and vitality in groups and neighborhoods, and impart a strong sense of community in Escondido.

The goal of this grant includes building a sense of personal and interpersonal responsibility for our community and its members, through their increased participation and personal investment in community and developing knowledge of Escondido’s history, people, and/or organizations to create a harmonious community identity.

Organizations that are moved forward through the LOI process to the next step will be invited to submit a full application proposal by February 21, 2019. Those organizations invited to submit a full application will submit the completed application by March 25, 2019.

LOI Deadline: Monday, January 7, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.

LOI Guidelines

Grant Application

Grants Awarded

2018 – 2019

Escondido Charitable Foundation awarded $183,910 in funding at its 12th Annual Grants Celebration on September 27 to six nonprofit programs that will enhance Escondido through interactive, publicly-accessible arts and cultural experiences.

2017 – 2018

Escondido Charitable Foundation awarded $231,016 in funding to eight nonprofits at its 11th Anniversary Celebration. ECF awarded funding to nonprofits that will have a long-term impact on youth.

2016 – 2017

Escondido Charitable Foundation awarded $210,000 in funding to seven nonprofits at its 10th Anniversary Celebration. ECF focused on programs that prevent homelessness and promote housing stability in the Escondido community.

2015 – 2016

The Escondido Charitable Foundation granted $168,860 to eight nonprofit organizations that promote the rich natural resources and open spaces of Escondido.

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2014 – 2015

The Escondido Charitable Foundation celebrated its seventh year of grantmaking and awarded $187,175 to six community groups. For the 2014-2015 grant cycle, the Escondido Charitable Foundation+ chose to focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) projects.

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Contact Us

For more information or to join today, contact Trudy Armstrong, Escondido Charitable Foundation Director, at trudy@sdfoundation.org or 619-764-8602.

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