San Diego Women’s Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The San Diego Women’s Foundation is a membership organization that selects a different grantmaking theme each year and votes to select grantees. Its grantmaking generally addresses community needs for the San Diego region.
IP TAKE: The San Diego Women’s Foundation aspires to be a “connected network of changemakers, committed to bold philanthropy that creates a more equitable San Diego region.” As a member-based organization, a committee conducts research to select a different grantmaking focus each year, although this focus area is generally one that responds to community needs. Letters of inquiry are accepted each fall, and the foundation invites full proposals from this pool of applicants. Grants tend to support organizations with strong reputations in the community, regardless of size. Keep up with this funder’s latest interests by signing up for its E-Newsletter.
PROFILE: The San Diego Women’s Foundation (SDWF) is based in San Diego, California, originating with a small group of volunteers who wanted to promote the participation of women in philanthropy. Its mission is to “connect, educate, and inspire women to come together in collective philanthropy.” The foundation was established in 2000 and now has more than 215 members. Individual members contribute either under $2,500 or $1,250 each year “based on their giving capacity.”
This innovative funder shifts the focus of its grantmaking annually, although the process is “responsive to community needs and always benefits undeserved communities in the San Diego region.” Grantmaking cycles begin in the fall, when the foundation’s Discovery, Inquiry and Guidelines (DIG) Committee meets to discuss and research “topics for the next grant cycle.” The foundation then accepts letters of inquiry, invites proposals, makes site visits and votes to select that year’s grantees.
Grants for Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture
In one recent year, SDWF’s grantmaking focused on “organizations working to address food insecurity,” with grants supporting organizations working in food distribution and sustainable agriculture. One grantee, Costal Roots Farm “cultivates healthy, connected communities by integrating sustainable agriculture, food justice, and ancient Jewish wisdom.” The foundation also provided funding to Urban Growth San Diego, which works to solve “urban hunger and environmental challenges through community hydroponics.” Additional grants went to the Bayside Community Center, City Heights CDC, ElderHelp of San Diego and Kitchens for Good.
Grants for Early Childhood Education
Another past grantmaking cycle focused on early childhood education. Grants appeared to focus on access and quality and prioritized underserved communities. Grantees included Guitars in the Classroom, the Healthy Early Years program at San Diego State University’s Center for Excellence in Early Development, the Monarch School Project and Episcopal Community Services.
Grants Housing and Homelessness and Community Development
In a past year, the foundation focused its grantmaking on housing and made grants that focused on “breaking down housing barriers.” Grants prioritized San Diego’s most vulnerable residents. This cohort of grantees included the Alpha Project for the Homeless, Just In Time Foster Youth, the Foundation for Women Warriors and Serving Seniors, which provides wraparound services to poor and homeless senior citizens of San Diego.
Grants for Immigrants and Refugees
Another selected focus area concerned the rights of “refugees, asylees and asylum seekers.” For this round of grantmaking, the foundation supported organizations involved in human services, legal support and advocacy programs. Grants went to organizations including the American Bar Association’s Immigration Justice Program, Survivors of Torture International, Social Advocates for Youth of San Diego and the Casa Cornelia Law Center, among others.
Important Grant Details
Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000.
This funder changes its grantmaking focus annually based on internal research on pressing community needs.
Recent areas of focus have included early childhood education, food insecurity, housing and refugees. For earlier areas of interest, see the foundation’s community partners page.
After deciding on a focus area each fall, SDWF accepts letters of inquiry with a deadline that falls in December of each year. Full proposals are accepted via invitation. After site visits and voting, grants are announced in June.
Information and guidelines on the current cycle is available at the foundation’s Current Grant Guidelines page.
Direct general questions to the foundation’s staff via SDWF’s contact page.
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