The Donald C and Elizabeth M Dickinson Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1995 and based in San Diego, California. The foundation was created by Donald and Elizabeth Dickinson and is currently led by their son Martin Dickinson and family members, including executive director Kris Dickinson.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$37.2M
+1.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.7M
-31.9% YoY
Grant Count
18
-5.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$150K
-28.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Donald C and Elizabeth M reported a distributable amount of $2.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's philosophy centers on "impactful giving" — providing support that plants seeds for something bigger and more enduring. The foundation seeks to ensure that organizations it supports are personally invested in and accountable for outcomes, and that those outcomes create catalytic effects with far-reaching impact.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education — university-level and institutional projects, graduate fellowships, and scholarships
- Health — medical research and healthcare organizations
- Human Services
- Museums and Cultural Organizations
- Performing Arts
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Grants range from $7,500 to $500,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Southern California, with particular emphasis on San Diego and the surrounding region.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- EIN: 33-0653203
- Location: 7456 La Mantanza, San Diego, CA 92127-3636
- Tax-Exempt Status: Established October 1995
- Contact: 858-208-8868
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $37,184,723 | $36,678,048 | $38,710,368 |
| Revenue | $3,434,353 | $2,168,316 | $11,203,965 |
| Expenses | $2,923,991 | $4,129,732 | $1,455,352 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,701,000 | $3,959,016 | $1,229,517 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,381,384 | $2,154,385 | $1,574,532 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,563,887 | $2,356,290 | $2,277,244 |
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
78 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include San Diego Botanical Gardens ($570,000), National Cowboy Museum ($500,000), Cygnet Theater ($375,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A BRIDGE FOR KIDS SAN DIEGO, CA | SCHOLARSHIPS | $30,000 |
| BUILDING 178 PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO, CA | PERFORMING ARTS CENTER CONSTRUCTION | $250,000 |
| CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SAN DIEGO, CA | SCHOLARSHIPS | $50,000 |
| CUREBOUND SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| CYGNET THEATER SAN DIEGO, CA | EDUCATION | $375,000 |
| INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART ENCINITAS, CA | VALISE EDUCATION PROGRAM | $75,000 |
| KRAEMER ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION EL CAJON, CA | EDUCATION | $75,000 |
| NATIONAL COWBOY MUSEUM OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | EDUCATION | $500,000 |
| NATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN KALAHEO, HI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| SAN DIEGO BOTANICAL GARDENS ENCINITAS, CA | PAVILLION CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT | $570,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Martin Dickinson — Son of founders; vice chair of San Diego Botanic Garden; co-founder of Legacy Bank (later merged with Landmark National Bank)
- Kris Dickinson — Executive director
- Carol Dickinson — Martin's wife; board member of National Tropical Botanical Garden
The Dickinsons helped create the Dickinson Family Education Conservatory.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARTIN C DICKINSON | CEO | 2 | — |
| JOHN SEIBER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| REBECCA WELCH | DIRECTOR | 1 | $15,000 |
| KRISTOPHER DICKINSON | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $100,000 |
| CHRISTY WILSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | $15,000 |
| RICHARD HORNER | SECRETARY | 1 | $15,000 |
| REBECCA O'TOOLE | DIRECTOR | 1 | $15,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported the completion of the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center at Arts District Liberty Station in San Diego through its grant to Building 178 Performing Arts Center. The foundation continues to administer the Dickinson Foundation Cygnet Scholarship program for San Diego high school students interested in theater.
ANNUAL REPORT - ARCS San DiegoSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Donald C and Elizabeth M fund?
The foundation's philosophy centers on "impactful giving" — providing support that plants seeds for something bigger and more enduring. The foundation seeks to ensure that organizations it supports are personally invested in and accountable for outcomes, and that those outcomes create catalytic effects with far-reaching impact. Primary funding areas include: • **Education** — university-level and institutional projects, graduate fellowships, and scholarships • **Health** — medical research and …
How do I apply for a grant from Donald C and Elizabeth M?
**Grant Sizes:** Grants range from $7,500 to $500,000. **Annual Giving:** In a recent fiscal year, the foundation distributed approximately $1.9 million. **Recent Grants:** • $250,000 to Building 178 Performing Arts Center for performing arts center construction • $75,000 to Kraemer Endowment Foundation for education • $2,500 scholarships (four awards annually) through the Dickinson Foundation Cygnet Scholarship program for San Diego high school seniors pursuing theater training **Notable Grant…
Where does Donald C and Elizabeth M make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Southern California, with particular emphasis on San Diego and the surrounding region.
What size grants does Donald C and Elizabeth M award?
In 2024, Donald C and Elizabeth M awarded 18 grants totaling $2.7M — an average of about $150K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Donald C and Elizabeth M required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Donald C and Elizabeth M reported a distributable amount of $2.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Donald C and Elizabeth M's EIN?
Donald C and Elizabeth M's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0653203. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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