East County Economic Development
The East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC) is a business non-profit organization established in 1984, headquartered in El Cajon, California. The organization operates as a 501(c)(6) entity and serves as an alliance of key representatives from business, community, education, government, and industry. ECEDC promotes economic development and a healthy economic climate throughout San Diego's East County region.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$719K
+35.4% YoY
Revenue
$1.2M
-23.0% YoY
Net Investment Income
—
Expenses
$990K
-36.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement:
Since 1984, the East County Economic Development Council has been at the forefront of promoting economic development, spurring stimulation of investment in East County, and fostering partnership and cooperation among businesses and organizations throughout San Diego County.
The organization exists to support, help, and promote the business community of East San Diego County through programs and projects that:
- Retain and enhance primary employment in the East County
- Promote business expansion and retention
- Stimulate investment in the region
- Facilitate open dialogue among the area's business, government, and education leaders
- Foster greater regional cooperation and planning to benefit the entire East County
Primary Focus Areas:
- Economic development and business promotion
- Advanced manufacturing support
- Primary industry development
- Business-education-government collaboration
- Regional economic sustainability
The organization directly benefits approximately 125 organizations through its programs and initiatives.
Grantmaking
The East County Economic Development Council makes grants to support community and business-related organizations. Recent grants documented include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The East County Economic Development Council serves the following communities:
Cities:
- El Cajon
- La Mesa
- Lemon Grove
- Santee
Unincorporated Communities:
- Alpine
- Lakeside
- Rancho San Diego
- Spring Valley
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2023 Financial Summary (501(c)(6) Organization):
- Total Revenues: $8,422,937
- Total Expenses: $8,355,504
- Total Assets: $599,984
- Staff: 9 employees
Related Entity – East County Economic Development Council Foundation (501(c)(3)):
The East County Economic Development Council Foundation was formed in 1998 as a companion 501(c)(3) organization to address specific research, education, and economic development projects in conjunction with the ECEDC. The two organizations work together to cultivate a vibrant, sustainable economy.
Foundation 2023 Financials:
- Revenue: $22,500
- Expenses: $15,800
- Total Assets: $44,300
- Total Liabilities: $0
| 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 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | $6 |
| 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 0 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from East County Economic Development
La Mesa Disaster Recovery Fund
EAST COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Amount
$5,000 per business (Phase 1 and Phase 2)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
LEAP Program (La Mesa Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program)
EAST COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Amount
$10,000 per business
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Matt Sanford – President & CEO
- James Sly – Principal Officer
- Jo Marie Diamond – Strategic Advisor
- Meri Williams – East County SBDC Director
- Angela Nagel – Director of Communications & Community Engagement
- Sarah Gyselbrecht – Project Manager
- Alex Eberhardt – Economic Research & Development Manager
- Robyn Carlson – Administrative Assistant
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES SLY | PRESIDENT/CE | 40 | $151,923 |
| JOE BRITTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DENISE CUELLAR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GEORGE GASTIL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BARRY JANTZ | FIRST VICE-C | 1 | — |
| KATHY KASSEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAURA LOTHIAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PATRICK MCGARRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR LYNN NEAULT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN OLSEN | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| KATHY OLSEN | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| PHIL ORTIZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHERI PAINTER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT PENNOYER | PAST CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JO ANN PETERSON | 2ND VICE-CHA | 1 | — |
| BILL POMMERING | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DANA QUITTNER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SARA RAMOS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRYAN SHULL | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DUSTIN TROTTER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICK URBAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DEANA VERBEKE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTIAN WALLIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICK WILSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ALLEN YOUNG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 127 E Lexington Ave El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 258-3674 or (619) 258-3670
Website: eastcountyedc.org
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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