Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties
Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties is a nonprofit network and grantmaking organization based in San Diego, California. Founded in 1999, it operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity that connects and activates funders—including foundations, giving circles, individual funders, and impact investors—to learn, lead, and invest in the San Diego and Imperial Counties region. The organization serves as a connective hub for social change across California's Southern Border Region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.9M
-4.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
-78.7% YoY
Grant Count
38
-29.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
-69.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Catalyst's vision is an equitable, collaborative, and impactful social change ecosystem that improves the lives of all residents in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
The organization's primary focus areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Nonprofit Management and Technical Assistance
- Poverty Alleviation
Grantmaking
Catalyst makes grants through various mechanisms:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Catalyst funds primarily in San Diego and Imperial Counties, California, with particular attention to California's Southern Border Region.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024 (most recent filing):
- Total Assets: $7,880,784
- Total Revenue: $3,142,093
- Total Expenses: $3,973,215
- Total Liabilities: $2,440,000
- Total Giving: $1,173,316
Organization Size: 15 employees (as of 2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,880,784 | $8,246,419 | $6,599,880 |
| Revenue | $3,142,093 | $10,051,312 | $2,781,597 |
| Expenses | $3,973,215 | $9,928,116 | $3,175,067 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $121,956 | $149,341 | $27,195 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
198 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest ($190,000), Refugee Assistance Center ($190,000), ElderHelp of San Diego ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Collective Freedom Oceanside, CA | Nancy Jamison Fund for Social Justice 2024 Awardee | $50,000 |
| Community Action Services & AdvocacyCASA La Mesa, CA | Support the East County Homeless Task Force | $12,800 |
| Council of Equity Advocacy SD Sacramento, CA | Community response to January 2024 storm/floods | $10,000 |
| Destination Home SV San Jose, CA | Sponsorship of Lived Experience Leadership Conference 2024 | $5,000 |
| Detour San Diego, CA | Unrestricted grant | $10,000 |
| ElderHelp of San Diego San Diego, CA | Unrestricted grant | $100,000 |
| EMRG Collaborative LLC San Diego, CA | Community response to January 2024 storm/floods | $10,000 |
| Future Construction Leaders (National Assn of Women in Construction) San Diego, CA | Unrestricted grant | $10,000 |
| Giving Hands El Cajon, CA | Community response to January 2024 storm/floods | $10,000 |
| Global Policy Leadership Academy San Diego, CA | To support advocacy of homelessness crisis | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Megan Thomas | President CEO | 40 | $176,821 |
| Kimberly Phillips Boehm | Chair | 4 | — |
| Shaina Gross | Secretary | 2 | — |
| Jeffrey Kim | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Roque Barros | Director | 1 | — |
| Neville Billimoria | Director | 1 | — |
| Matt D'Arrigo | Director | 1 | — |
| Julia Dorfman | Director | 1 | — |
| Ray Ellis | Director | 1 | — |
| Sarah Lyman | Director | 1 | — |
| Eric Morrison Smith | Director | 1 | — |
| Diana Ross | Director | 1 | — |
| Mark Tran | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Black Business Relief Fund:** Catalyst facilitated the Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce Black Business Relief Fund, which granted funds to 199 local Black-owned businesses in its first round of grantmaking.
Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce Black Business Relief Fund Grants**County Equity Impact Grant Program:** Catalyst's County Equity Impact Grant Program strengthened nonprofits and earned a statewide award.
Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce Black Business Relief Fund Grants**Philanthropy California Climate & Disaster Resilience:** Philanthropy California, with which Catalyst is affiliated, was awarded a $2M grant to expand nonprofit access to public funds for climate and disaster resilience.
County Equity Impact Grant Program Strengthens Nonprofits, Earns Statewide**Stop the Hate Program:** Catalyst has been involved in California's Stop the Hate Program, centering community-driven solutions.
Taking on Hate: Centering Community-Driven Solutions in California\u2019\**Nancy Jamison Fund for Social Justice:** Catalyst manages or supports this fund focused on social justice.
The Nancy Jamison Fund for Social JusticeSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties fund?
Catalyst's vision is an equitable, collaborative, and impactful social change ecosystem that improves the lives of all residents in San Diego and Imperial Counties. The organization's primary focus areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Nonprofit Management and Technical Assistance • Poverty Alleviation
How do I apply for a grant from Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties?
Catalyst makes grants through various mechanisms: **Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $325,276. **Total Giving:** $1,173,316 in grants made (based on most recent IRS Form 990 filing for 2024). **Grantmaking Models:** The organization facilitates grantmaking through: • Collaborative grantmaking funds • Mission-aligned fiscal sponsorship support • Pooled funds **Recent Initiatives:** • **Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative (NSI) San Diego:** Launched in 2026, this pooled fund f…
Where does Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties make grants?
Catalyst funds primarily in San Diego and Imperial Counties, California, with particular attention to California's Southern Border Region.
What size grants does Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties award?
In 2024, Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties awarded 38 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties's EIN?
Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0868261. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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