Sempra Foundation is a private, non-operating corporate foundation based in San Diego, California. Established in 2007 and granted tax-exempt status in 2008, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The foundation is affiliated with Sempra Energy and supports philanthropic initiatives across communities where the company operates.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.5M
-18.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
-51.9% YoY
Grant Count
1,501
-29.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1K
-31.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sempra Foundation reported a distributable amount of $748K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Sempra Foundation is committed to advancing social progress and building an equitable and vibrant future for all. The foundation maintains a long history of supporting disaster relief efforts, including response to wildfires, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
Primary funding areas include:
- Health and human services
- Education
- Arts and culture
- Civic and community initiatives
- Emergency and safety programs
- Environmental projects
- Local community support
The foundation has adopted three strategic priorities to advance social progress over time and supports innovative approaches in communities where employees live and work.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
Grant Range
$300
Average Grant
award: $2,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Sempra Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in California, Texas, and Louisiana, which account for 74% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 51 states. The foundation focuses on communities where Sempra Energy conducts business, including Texas, Washington D.C., Central and Southern California, and Mexico.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total assets: $14,132,710
- Total revenues: $745,120
- Total expenses: $5,417,134
- Total grants made: $2,602,247 (from sample of 791 grants)
As of December 2022:
- Total assets: $11,486,083
- Total giving: $1,820,957
Historical Trend: Total assets grew from $6.5 million in 2011 to $14.1 million in 2023. Annual giving decreased from $5 million in 2020 to $3.8 million in 2023.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,486,083 | $14,132,710 | $17,995,022 |
| Revenue | $747,486 | $745,120 | $10,199,595 |
| Expenses | $4,311,994 | $5,417,134 | $4,461,855 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,951,062 | $3,828,711 | $3,685,584 |
| Net Investment Income | $578,007 | $652,361 | $67,324 |
| Distributable Amount | $747,946 | $777,079 | $964,415 |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Alzheimers San Diego ($7,253), American Cancer Society Inc ($3,343), All Sparta Community Sports Association ($3,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1570 FC RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA | LEISURE | $1,500 |
| 3 CORD RANCH ROGUE RIVER, OR | YOUTH | $510 |
| 350 ORG BOSTON, MA | ENVIRONMENTAL | $148 |
| 49ER RUGBY FOUNDATION LONG BEACH, CA | LEISURE | $30 |
| A CURE IN SIGHT RALEIGH, NC | HEALTH | $240 |
| A PLACE CALLED HOME LOS ANGELES, CA | YOUTH | $360 |
| A WAY HOME FOR DOGS INC BONITA, CA | ANIMALS | $180 |
| ABDUL SATTAR EDHI INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION INC CORONA, NY | INTERNATIONAL | $250 |
| ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF PEACE SAN DIEGO, CA | EDUCATION | $100 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN CALIF LOS ANGELES, CA | CIVIL RIGHTS | $1,454 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Diana Day serves as the principal officer of the foundation. The foundation is governed by 10 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTY IHRIG | PRESIDENT/BOARD DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KIRSTIE RAAGAS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PATRICK BILLINGS | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| LISA ABBOT | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| JIM BAKER | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| EUGENE MITCHELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDY CARRASCO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RANDALL L CLARK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SCOTT CRIDER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATT HENRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EMILY C SHULTS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Sempra Foundation has been active in climate action and community support initiatives. The foundation has awarded grants through the SoCal Climate Champions Grant program, supporting innovators working on climate solutions. The foundation has also committed to supporting California nonprofits impacted by major crises, demonstrating its commitment to disaster relief and emergency response.
Sempra Energy Foundation To Donate Up To $1 Million To California NonprofitsThe foundation has received recognition for its corporate citizenship work, including an honor from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Sempra Foundation Wins U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sempra Foundation fund?
The Sempra Foundation is committed to advancing social progress and building an equitable and vibrant future for all. The foundation maintains a long history of supporting disaster relief efforts, including response to wildfires, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Primary funding areas include: • Health and human services • Education • Arts and culture • Civic and community initiatives • Emergency and safety programs • Environmental projects • Local community support The foundation has adopted three …
How do I apply for a grant from Sempra Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 2,382 grants in 2023 • Total of 6,295 grants made historically, totaling $12.4 million • Median grant size: $300 • Average grant award: $2,000 • Individual grants have ranged from $300 to $609,254 **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • The Sonoran Institute: $200,000 (Environmental) • Solar Electric Light Fund: $160,000 (Environmental) • Relief International: $60,000 (International) **Application Process:** The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitabl…
Where does Sempra Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in California, Texas, and Louisiana, which account for 74% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 51 states. The foundation focuses on communities where Sempra Energy conducts business, including Texas, Washington D.C., Central and Southern California, and Mexico.
What size grants does Sempra Foundation award?
In 2024, Sempra Foundation awarded 1,501 grants totaling $1.8M — an average of about $1K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sempra Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sempra Foundation reported a distributable amount of $748K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Sempra Foundation's EIN?
Sempra Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1325469. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sempra Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Sempra Foundation 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
Go from researching Sempra Foundation to a real strategy.