The Conrad Prebys Foundation
The Conrad Prebys Foundation is a private, independent grantmaking foundation based in San Diego, California. Established in 2007, the foundation was created to fulfill Conrad Prebys's vision of benefiting the people of San Diego County through strategic philanthropy. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and is classified as a private independent foundation.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.1B
-3.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$54.9M
+2.2% YoY
Grant Count
392
+17.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$140K
-13.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Conrad Prebys Foundation reported a distributable amount of $58.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is passionate about driving excellence and creating shared opportunities by investing in groundbreaking institutions, innovative ideas, and inspiring people. Its stated aim is to foster uplifting and connected communities where institutions and systems provide fair access to opportunities for all.
Primary funding areas include:
- Visual and performing arts
- Medical research
- Healthcare
- Youth success and workforce development
- Higher education
- Community development and civic initiatives
The foundation also considers the impact of its work on climate issues and recognizes its unique identity as a border region community.
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts grants through multiple mechanisms including open applications, targeted requests for proposals, and community-led initiatives.
Grant Range
$50,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in California, with the primary focus on San Diego County. According to available records, the foundation primarily supports organizations in California, Massachusetts, and Indiana, which account for 99% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 11 states.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $1.13 billion
- Total revenue: -$58.1 million
- Total expenses: $63.6 million
- Total liabilities: $107,000
- Investment income and dividends: $21,003,908
- Total grants and contributions: $37,269,183
Annual Income: $547.5 million (reported)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,092,632,689 | $1,125,949,431 | $1,254,163,145 |
| Revenue | $33,971,703 | $-58,066,159 | $33,852,859 |
| Expenses | $67,516,173 | $63,631,241 | $59,843,543 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $64,317,311 | $60,988,874 | $50,160,675 |
| Net Investment Income | $25,033,674 | $19,048,499 | $28,578,553 |
| Distributable Amount | $58,540,469 | $51,805,962 | $53,891,950 |
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Conrad Prebys Foundation
Arts Ecosystem: Venues & Spaces Grant
THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Prebys Sparx Challenge
THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Youth Workforce Initiative Program
THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Access Youth Academy ($250,000), California State San Marcos University Fo ($250,000), Burnham Center for Community Advancement ($225,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A REASON TO SURVIVE NATIONAL CITY, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $75,000 |
| A REASON TO SURVIVE NATIONAL CITY, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $75,000 |
| A STEP BEYOND ESCONDIDO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $75,000 |
| A STEP BEYOND ESCONDIDO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $200 |
| A STEP BEYOND ESCONDIDO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $100,000 |
| ACCESS YOUTH ACADEMY SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,000 |
| ACCESS YOUTH ACADEMY SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $250,000 |
| ACHIEVEMENT REWARDS FOR COLLEGE SCIENTISTS FOUNDATION INC SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $4,000 |
| ADAPT MOVEMENTINC CARLSBAD, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $100,000 |
| AFRICAN AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Grant Oliphant - Chief Executive Officer
- Alan Sorkin - Executive Vice Chairman
- Chris Sichel - Vice President of Programs
- Nikki Phair - Director of Operations
The foundation is governed by 10 officers and trustees and employs 17 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALAN SORKIN | SECRETARY | 2.4 | — |
| CONSTANCE CARROLL | DIRECTOR | 2.4 | $35,000 |
| DAN YATES | PRESIDENT | 2.4 | $45,000 |
| GIL ALVARADO | CFO | 40 | $416,459 |
| GRANT OLIPHANT | CEO | 40 | $904,460 |
| IRMA COTA | DIRECTOR | 2.4 | $35,000 |
| MARY WALSHOK | DIRECTOR | 2.4 | $35,000 |
| PAULA CORDEIRO | DIRECTOR | 2.4 | $35,000 |
| PETER ELLSWORTH | TREASURER | 2.4 | $35,000 |
| VICTORIA HAMILTON | DIRECTOR | 2.4 | $35,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been actively engaged in addressing San Diego's civic challenges. Recent initiatives include:
Purchasing a distressed downtown high-rise for redevelopment
Funding a blueprint for Civic Center redevelopment
Providing flood relief efforts
Launching the Prebys Research Heroes Program with $7 million in funding to improve medical research through diversity
Prebys Foundation Awards $5.2 Million to 50 San Diego Nonprofits ...Announcing $5.7 million in grants for local arts organizations in 2024
Prebys foundation announces $5.7 million in grants for local arts organizations\Awarding $5.2 million to 50 San Diego nonprofits advancing healing through arts and nature
Prebys Foundation Awards $5.2 Million to 50 San Diego Nonprofits ...Hosting the inaugural Waves Festival
The foundation concluded its foundational phase of its 2023-2024 strategic plan and launched a new strategic plan in 2023 focused on responsive, research-informed grantmaking. The foundation emphasizes a community-driven approach informed by feedback and collaboration with supporters.
Prebys Foundation Awards $5.2 Million to 50 San Diego Nonprofits ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Conrad Prebys Foundation fund?
The foundation is passionate about driving excellence and creating shared opportunities by investing in groundbreaking institutions, innovative ideas, and inspiring people. Its stated aim is to foster uplifting and connected communities where institutions and systems provide fair access to opportunities for all. Primary funding areas include: • Visual and performing arts • Medical research • Healthcare • Youth success and workforce development • Higher education • Community development and civi…
How do I apply for a grant from The Conrad Prebys Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • The foundation has made 883 grants totaling $145.2 million • Median grant size: $50,000 • Individual grants have ranged from $150 to $6.7 million • Average award: $164,000 • Annual giving has grown from $43.2 million in 2021 to $54.9 million in 2024 • The foundation has supported 467 unique organizations **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • San Diego Symphony Orchestra Association: $3,000,000 (The Shell Performance Center) • Sharp HealthCare Foundation: $1,000,000 (The Shar…
Where does The Conrad Prebys Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in California, with the primary focus on San Diego County. According to available records, the foundation primarily supports organizations in California, Massachusetts, and Indiana, which account for 99% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 11 states.
What size grants does The Conrad Prebys Foundation award?
In 2024, The Conrad Prebys Foundation awarded 392 grants totaling $54.9M — an average of about $140K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Conrad Prebys Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Conrad Prebys Foundation reported a distributable amount of $58.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Conrad Prebys Foundation's EIN?
The Conrad Prebys Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3216993. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Conrad Prebys 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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