Grants
Escondido Community Foundation 2020/21 Grant Cycle: Environment
“Protecting Our Environment Through Education AND Action”
The 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 $10,000 to $30,000. The foundation will evaluate all LOI submittals and qualify those that meet the program and eligibility criteria.
The deadline for submitting the LOI is January 6, 2020 5:00 p.m.
Organizations that are moved forward through the LOI process will be invited to submit a full application by February 21, 2020. Those organizations invited to submit a full proposal will submit completed applications by March 23, 2020.
Mission & Purpose:
The mission and purpose of The Escondido Community Foundation (ECF), an affiliate of The San Diego Foundation (TSDF), is to improve the quality of life in Escondido by meeting emerging needs through:
- Encouraging and increasing responsible and effective philanthropy,
- Building a community endowment,
- Providing funds annually to organizations and causes, and
- Giving the community a vehicle for legacy planning and cash gifts that will benefit Escondido annually and in perpetuity.
The vision of ECF is to inspire a culture of giving that supports, strengthens and enriches the quality of life in the Escondido community now and for generations to come. From improving quality of life to rejuvenating the bonds of our communities, the contributions of ECF members stimulate a sense of common purpose by bringing people together to address essential and emerging needs.
Introduction
Each year the Escondido Community Foundation (ECF) selects a different focus area. For our 14th grant cycle, ECF invites nonprofits serving Escondido to submit applications and seeks to support organizations that will improve the quality of life in Escondido through environmental education AND action. People of all ages and abilities can play an important role as stewards of the environment.
Focus Area
Projects which meet the following criteria will be considered:
- Cultivate and train future generations of environmental leaders and stewards
- Engage the community in habitat conservation, restoration and ecology
- Develop food justice programs that build knowledge of nutritious, sustainable, culturally appropriate foods to ensure people have access to healthy food. Effect a positive impact on the environment by addressing and fixing the food system
- Create collaborative projects and/or activities in outdoor settings focusing on environmental science and stewardship (*see note)
- Promote activities that encourage water conservation and education such as xeriscape with native plants, drought awareness, school gardens, etc.
- Provide cleanup or improvement of local creeks or natural lands
- Encourage activities such as recycling, repurposing and reusing that reduce/eliminate the negative impact of trash
Letter of Intent Deadline: Monday, January 6, 2020 at 5:00 pm.
Grant Guidelines
Apply Online
Grants Awarded
2019-2020
Escondido Community Foundation awarded $202,500 in funding at its 13th Annual Grants Celebration on September 26 to seven nonprofit programs that will enhance Escondido through connections that bring people together and build a stronger community.
Middle & High School Leadership Initiative
A Step Beyond
$35,000 Grant
Northern Lights
California Center for the Arts, Escondido
$35,000 Grant
Two Field Renovations
Escondido American Little League
$35,000 Grant
Grand Avenue Music Festival
Escondido Downtown Business Association
$35,000 Grant
Dixon Lake Playground
Hidden Valley Kiwanis
$20,000 Grant
Explore and Restore Felicita County Park
Nature Collective (formerly known as San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy)
$27,500 Grant
One-on-One Intergenerational Literacy Tutoring Program
San Diego Oasis
$15,000 Grant
2018-2019
Escondido Community 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.
The Allegro Project
Civic Youth Orchestra
$50,000 Grant
Local Color Mural and Flag Project
Escondido Arts Partnership
$21,700 Grant
The Wall Speaks
Escondido Community Child Development Center
$30,000 Grant
Restoration of Historic Victorian
Escondido History Center
$16,778 Grant
Excavating Escondido II
La Jolla Playhouse
$50,000 Grant
Ticitozaa Folklorico Dance Festival
Tierra Caliente Academy of Arts
$15,432 Grant
2017 – 2018
Escondido Community 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.
Robots, Coding & Digital Interactivity: STEM in the Classroom
Conway Elementary School
$21,418 Grant
Young Emerging Latino Leaders Father/Son Project
Encuentros Leadership
$35,000 Grant
Youth Leaders for Change Academy
Escondido Education COMPACT
$31,574 Grant
Project Teatro Mision
Mission Middle School
$27,000 Grant
Escondido Community Wraparound
Fred Finch Youth Center
$35,000 Grant
Life Skills for Teens
Palomar Family Counseling Service
$17,024 Grant
Girls Who Code (Club Escondido)
San Diego Futures Foundation
$29,000 Grant
Transitional Age Youth Program
Voices for Children
$35,000 Grant
2016-2017
Escondido Community 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.
A Step Beyond
A Step Beyond
$20,000 Grant
Escondido Community Child Development Center
Mental Health Services Specialist for At-Risk Preschoolers and Families
$20,000 Grant
Financial Literacy in Escondido Communities
Community HousingWorks
$30,000 Grant
Next Step North Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Center for Community Solutions
$35,000 Grant
Family Housing and Social Services Program
Interfaith Community Services
$35,000 Grant
Mental Health Services for the Homeless
Neighborhood Healthcare
$35,000 Grant
A Permanent Solution to Family Homelessness in Escondido
Solutions for Change
$35,000 Grant
2015-2016
The Escondido Community Foundation granted $168,860 to eight nonprofit organizations that promote the rich natural resources and open spaces of Escondido.
Chaparral Passport and Naturalist Program
The California Chaparral Institute
$21,560 Grant
Children’s Natural Play Area
El Caballo Park Conservancy
$24,500 Grant
Clean Canyons for a Clean Coast
I Love a Clean San Diego County
$17,000 Grant
Daley Ranch 7th Grade Field Trip
The Friends of Daley Ranch
$25,000 Grant
Escondido Outdoors
Outdoor Outreach
$10,000 Grant
Exploring and Conserving the Escondido Creek Watershed
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy
$30,000 Grant
Girls on the Run Escondido
Girls on the Run San Diego
$10,800 Grant
Save Our Aquatic Resources Program
Zoological Society of San Diego
$30,000 Grant
Learn More About Grantees
2014 – 2015
The Escondido Community Foundation celebrated its seventh year of grantmaking and awarded $187,175 to six community groups. For the 2014-2015 grant cycle, the Escondido Community Foundation+ chose to focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) projects.
Implementing STEM Classroom Communities: Collaborative
Del Dios Middle School
$35,000 Grant
STEM Education & Career Exploration
Encuentros Leadership
$35,000 Grant
Igniting A Love of Science
North Broadway School
$35,000 Grant
Our Living Watershed
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy
$22,00 Grant
STEM Enrichment Program for underserved children
The Kid’s College
$30,715 Grant
Hands-on Experiences in Conservation Science for Escondido
Zoological Society of San Diego
$30,000 Grant
Learn More About Grantees
Spanning Grand Avenue along Center City Parkway, the Giving Arch will be an icon of Escondido for generations to come. By donating to the Escondido Community Foundation you will secure your place on the Giving Arch and help support future projects in Escondido. In addition, you will become a member of the Escondido Community Foundation and join your friends and neighbors in future giving.
