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As Director of Education Initiatives, Michelle collaborates with community partners to ensure every San Diego student can achieve their aspiration of a post-secondary education. She also formerly served in the capacities of, Community Impact Director and Community Scholars Initiative Manager at San Diego Foundation. In her time as an independent consultant Michelle worked with leading local and national nonprofit and foundation clients to design equity-centered program and grantmaking strategies. She previously served as Director of Communications for the San Diego Housing Federation where she led advocacy efforts around affordable housing and sustainable land-use policies. As Director of Programs for the U.S.-Mexico Philanthropy Partnership, she supported a binational network of 21 community foundations working to build philanthropy and community leadership in the borderlands. She serves on the National Board of Advisors for Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP), and Leadership Council Member of the Latina Giving Circle of San Diego.
Michelle is a 2016 Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities PLACES Fellow and a 2014 Hispanas Organized for Political Equality Leadership Institute graduate. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Latin American Studies from the University of Toronto and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.
On August 9, 2022, we awarded $838,704 in Opening the Outdoors grants to 24 nonprofit organizations that offer equitable access to outdoor spaces in San Diego County.
“San Diego Foundation is proud to once again support its partners committed to increasing community-driven efforts to enhance accessible outdoor space, encourage youth to learn more through hands-on education and create the next generation of environmental stewards in the San Diego region,” said Christiana DeBenedict, SDF Director of Environment Initiatives.
This year’s grantees will help address these inequities and enhance access to the outdoors throughout San Diego County.
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