Rancho Santa Fe Foundation
Rancho Santa Fe Foundation is a community foundation based in Encinitas, California, serving the greater San Diego region and beyond. Established in 1981 and tax-exempt since June 1982, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to connecting donors with regional and global philanthropic opportunities. The foundation manages more than 350 funds created by individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit agencies, and operates donor-advised funds through which donors can direct the distribution of charitable contributions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$188.7M
+17.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$14.3M
+30.2% YoY
Grant Count
253
-0.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$57K
+30.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to serve as a trusted leader in philanthropy, empowering the community and fundholders to achieve their charitable goals. The foundation connects donors with regional and global needs through visionary community leadership, personalized service, and effective grantmaking.
Primary funding areas include:
Advancing Education: Supporting nonprofits creating seamless pipelines of learning opportunities from early childhood education through K-12, post-secondary education, and workforce development. In 2023, the foundation awarded two-year grants of $50,000 per year to two organizations focused on reducing learning loss and improving academic success for 3rd-8th grade students in disproportionately impacted North County communities.
Supporting Our Heroes (formerly the Patriots Connection): A program raising awareness and providing funding for military needs through nonprofit service providers in San Diego County.
Community Leadership: Addressing pressing community needs through education, stakeholder convening, philanthropic advising, and grantmaking.
Rancho Santa Fe Community: Programs created by and for people who live and work in Rancho Santa Fe.
The foundation supports a wide variety of causes through grants made from donor-advised funds and unrestricted endowment funds. Grants from donor-advised funds are based on donor-advisor recommendations, while those from unrestricted endowment funds are determined by the organization's grants and projects committee.
Grantmaking
Review Cycle
**Fund Types Available**:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves the greater San Diego region, including North County communities. While historically place-based in Rancho Santa Fe, the foundation has evolved to serve regional and global needs. Grantmaking focuses primarily on California, Texas, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $160.8 million
- Total Revenue: $15 million
- Total Expenses: $12.9 million
- Total Liabilities: $46 million
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $188.7 million
- Total Giving: $14.3 million
Cumulative Impact:
- $170 million in grants distributed since 2000
- $200 million in assets under management
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $188,678,612 | $160,817,877 | $146,635,800 |
| Revenue | $33,756,679 | $15,000,167 | $17,178,237 |
| Expenses | $15,943,875 | $12,906,142 | $11,048,947 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,413,522 | $3,394,617 | $4,977,888 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Rancho Santa Fe Foundation
Community Impact Grants
RANCHO SANTA FE FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Rancho Santa Fe Women's Fund Grant
RANCHO SANTA FE FOUNDATION
Amount
US $25,000 - US $75,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
San Marcos COVID-19 Community Grants Program
RANCHO SANTA FE FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Burn Institute ($232,725), Bridge2rwanda ($200,000), Cristo Rey San Diego High School ($135,600).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A STEP BEYOND ESCONDIDO, CA | SOCIAL SERVICES | $33,368 |
| ACCESS YOUTH ACADEMY SAN DIEGO, CA | RECREATION/SPORTS/ACTIVITIES | $30,000 |
| ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD INC WAKEFIELD, MA | ADVOCACY | $25,000 |
| AERIAL RECOVERY NASHVILLE, TN | HUMANITARIAN-GLOBAL | $30,000 |
| AGUA HEDIONDA LAGOON FOUNDATION CARLSBAD, CA | ENVIRONMENTAL | $6,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION - LONG ISLAND MELVILLE, NY | HEALTH | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO, CA | HEALTH | $56,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF CHICKEN SHED INC NEW YORK, NY | ARTS & CULTURE | $78,300 |
| AMERICAN LEGION POST 416 FOUNDATION RANCHO SANTA FE, CA | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | $77,265 |
| AMERICAN RIVERS WASHINGTON DC, DC | ENVIRONMENTAL | $60,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President & CEO: Ben Moraga
The foundation employs 14 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOM BUCHHOLZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ELAINE DODGE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL DYER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL GREGOIRE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LINDA KITCHENS | BOARD CHAIR | 5 | — |
| KEN LITTLE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATT MILLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TRACY MITCHELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICHARD MONTANO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICK NORLING | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JANETTE PRITCHARD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DENISE STILLINGER | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| CARL WIESE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BEN MORAGA | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $246,782 |
| KAREN SPRIGLE | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 30 | $137,056 |
| AMY MYERS | DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY | 40 | $169,015 |
| NICOLE TUBBS | VP OF FINANCE | 40 | $138,449 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**January 2025**: Rancho Santa Fe Foundation awarded over $100,000 in grants to support military families, veterans, and service members through nonprofit service providers.
Rancho Santa Fe Foundation awards over $100000 in grants to ...**2024**: The foundation awarded $200,000 to empower San Diego nonprofit organizations working to address learning loss in North County communities.
RSF Foundation awards $200,000 to empower San Diego nonprofit organizations\**Ongoing**: The San Marcos COVID-19 Community Grants Program continues to award grants supporting San Marcos residents affected by COVID-19.
Rancho Santa Fe Foundation awards over $100000 in grants to ...**2023**: Two organizations each received two-year grants of $50,000 per year through the Advancing Education Grants program.
Rancho Santa Fe Foundation awards over $100000 in grants to ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rancho Santa Fe Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to serve as a trusted leader in philanthropy, empowering the community and fundholders to achieve their charitable goals. The foundation connects donors with regional and global needs through visionary community leadership, personalized service, and effective grantmaking. **Primary funding areas include:** • **Advancing Education**: Supporting nonprofits creating seamless pipelines of learning opportunities from early childhood education through K-12, post-secondary …
How do I apply for a grant from Rancho Santa Fe Foundation?
**Grant Amounts**: Typical awards range from $5,250 to $750,000. **Recent Grant Activity**: • In 2025, the foundation awarded $19.8 million in grants • In 2024, total giving was $14.3 million • In 2023, the foundation awarded $200,000 to empower San Diego nonprofit organizations working to address learning loss • In January 2025, the foundation awarded over $100,000 in grants to support military families, veterans, and service members • The foundation has awarded more than $350,000 in grants in…
Where does Rancho Santa Fe Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily serves the greater San Diego region, including North County communities. While historically place-based in Rancho Santa Fe, the foundation has evolved to serve regional and global needs. Grantmaking focuses primarily on California, Texas, and New York.
What size grants does Rancho Santa Fe Foundation award?
In 2024, Rancho Santa Fe Foundation awarded 253 grants totaling $14.3M — an average of about $57K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Rancho Santa Fe Foundation's EIN?
Rancho Santa Fe Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3709639. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Rancho Santa Fe Foundation'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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