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
No grants recorded for .
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
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities