East County Economic Development Council
EAST COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT is a public charity based in El Cajon, California. The East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC) says it works to promote economic development and investment and to foster cooperation among businesses and organizations in the region.
Key facts about East County Economic Development Council
- EIN
- 33-0047997
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Total assets
- $718,535
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$719K
+35.4% YoY
Revenue
$1.2M
-23.0% YoY
Expenses
$990K
-36.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Council’s stated mission is to promote economic development, stimulate investment in East County, and foster partnership and cooperation among businesses and organizations. Its 2024 filing says its programs aim to retain and enhance primary employment, promote business expansion and retention, stimulate regional investment, encourage dialogue among business, government, and education leaders, and foster regional cooperation and planning. The filing reports approximately 125 organizations directly benefited.
The Council’s project portfolio includes small-business assistance, workforce development, business attraction, and collaborations with cities and statewide partners. Its Small Business Development Center offers no-cost counseling and workshops. Its workforce initiatives include training and career-pathway programs.
Examples of 2023 grantees show support to organizations with varied missions. Escondido Senior Enterprises said it assists and benefits seniors in the Escondido area. Hope Through Housing Foundation described its mission as addressing generational poverty through policy advocacy and programs for residents and communities. Interfaith Community Services said it empowers people in need to stabilize and improve their lives, while A Step Beyond said it prepares underserved youth for college, career, and life through dance education, academic support, and family services.
Grantmaking
The 2023 filing reports $3,105,862 in grants across 269 grants. The filing reports no grants for 2024 or 2025. Examples of 2023 grants include $50,000 to Escondido Senior Enterprises, $20,000 and $15,000 to Interfaith Community Services, $20,000 to Hope Through Housing Foundation, and $15,000 to A Step Beyond and ECOLIFE Conservation.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from East County Economic Development Council
La Mesa Disaster Recovery Fund
East County Economic Development Council
Amount
$5,000 per business (Phase 1 and Phase 2)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
LEAP Program (La Mesa Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program)
East County Economic Development Council
Amount
$10,000 per business
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with East County Economic Development Council?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Council describes its work as serving East County and identifies the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Santee, as well as the unincorporated communities of Alpine, Lakeside, Rancho San Diego, and Spring Valley. The LEAP program is limited to eligible businesses within the incorporated City of La Mesa.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2023 it made 269 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
269 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 268 grants of 269 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for 2025.
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The IRS filing data reports the following:
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $718,535 | $1,184,609 | $990,090 | 0 |
| 2024 | $530,607 | $1,538,016 | $1,561,513 | 0 |
| 2023 | $599,984 | $8,422,937 | $8,355,504 | 269 grants; $3,105,862 total |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $718,535 | $530,607 | $599,984 |
| Revenue | $1,184,609 | $1,538,016 | $8,422,937 |
| Expenses | $990,090 | $1,561,513 | $8,355,504 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | $6 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists James Sly as President/CE; Barry Jantz as First Vice-C; John Olsen as Secretary; and Joe Britton, Denise Cuellar, George Gastil, Kathy Kassel, Laura Lothian, Patrick McGarry, Dr. Lynn Neault, and John Olsen as directors or officers.
The Council’s website identifies Matt Sanford as President and CEO and lists him among its team and board officers.
East County Economic Development Council is led by James Sly, President on every filing since 2021; 1 of 25 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James Sly
President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$137K (2021) → $152K (2025)
Bryan Shull
Chair
Treasurer → First Vice C, 2023
First Vice C → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Pommering
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dana Quittner
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deana R. Verbeke
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Kassel
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Urban
Director
Chair → Immediate Pa, 2021
Immediate Pa → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Wilson
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Ramos
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Neault
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allen Young
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christian Wallis
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dustin Trotter
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Gastil
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Britton
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Lothian
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phil Ortiz
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheri Painter
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise Cuellar
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick McGarry
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barry Jantz
First Vice C
Secretary → Second Vice, 2021
Second Vice → First Vice C, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Olsen
Secretary
Chair → Immediate Pa, 2023
Immediate Pa → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Olsen
Treasurer
Director → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Pennoyer
Past Chair
Chair → Immediate Pa, 2024
Immediate Pa → Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jo Ann Peterson
2nd Vice Cha
Treasurer → Second Vice, 2024
Second Vice → 2nd Vice Cha, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Alysson Snow (2024) — Director
- Former: Kristen Dare (2024) — Director
- Former: Ray Major (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Bryan Underwood (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Joe Mackey (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Bill Baber (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Carla Leal (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Jo Marie Diamond (2019–2020) — President
- Former: Laura Koval (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Odie Goward (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Joseph Britton (2020) — Director
- Former: Cindy Miles (2019) — Director
- Former: Dan McMillan (2019) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Reynolds (2019) — Director
- Former: Roger Roberts (2019) — Director
- Former: Steve Goble (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $152K, to James Sly (President/Ce).
Contact
Mailing address: 127 East Lexington Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 258-3670
Website: https://eastcountyedc.org
Frequently asked questions about East County Economic Development Council
How large is East County Economic Development Council?
East County Economic Development Council reported $719K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.2M.
What does East County Economic Development Council fund?
The Council’s stated mission is to promote economic development, stimulate investment in East County, and foster partnership and cooperation among businesses and organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from East County Economic Development Council?
East County Economic Development Council has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check eastcountyedc.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does East County Economic Development Council make grants?
The Council describes its work as serving East County and identifies the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Santee, as well as the unincorporated communities of Alpine, Lakeside, Rancho San Diego, and Spring Valley. The LEAP program is limited to eligible businesses within the incorporated City of La Mesa.
What is East County Economic Development Council's EIN?
East County Economic Development Council's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0047997. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching East County Economic Development Council by hand.
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East County Economic Development Council down — hundreds of funders to go?