The Protect Our Communities Foundation
Maximize clean, local, affordable and equitable energy solutions through education, community engagement and legal action.
The Protect Our Communities Foundation at a glance
In short: The Protect Our Communities Foundation gave $50K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $50K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $50,000
- +66.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $50,000
- +66.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $2,034,103
- -9.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Protect Our Communities Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was POWER SAN DIEGO Politica Campaign Treasury LLC ($50K).
Grant Size Distribution
2 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 2 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2018 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2018) to $50K (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $50K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| POWER SAN DIEGO Politica Campaign Treasury LLC San Diego, CA | support a public power ballot measure initiative | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Protect Our Communities Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,034,103 | $834,563 | $1,056,275 | $50,000 | 1 | $70,493 |
| 2023 | $2,255,971 | $877,047 | $757,131 | $30,000 | 1 | $98,154 |
| 2022 | $2,139,187 | $892,195 | $877,985 | — | — | $74,641 |
| 2021 | $2,121,587 | $661,458 | $912,312 | — | — | $138,631 |
| 2020 | $2,416,431 | $271,125 | $713,525 | — | — | $165,505 |
| 2018 | $3,206,983 | $2,152,177 | $557,385 | $5,000 | Total only | $148,194 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About The Protect Our Communities Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Protect Our Communities Foundation is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in San Diego, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2018 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $50K. Net investment income was $70K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Protect Our Communities Foundation is led by Malinda Dickenson, Legal & Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 6 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Malinda Dickenson
Legal & Executive Director
General Counsel → Legal & Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$135K (2020) → $214K (2024)
Lori Saldana
Director & President
Director & Treasurer → Director & President, 2022
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Powers
Director & Secretary
Director & Secretary → Director, Secretary & Consultant, 2021
Director, Secretary & Consultant → Director & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2018
4 hrs/week
$76K (2018) → $0 (2024)
Denis Trafecanty
Director
Director & President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2018
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane Jacobs
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Hughes
Director & Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Michael Pinto (2018–2023) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Tyson Siegele (2020–2022) — General Counsel
- Former: Loretta Lynch (2018–2021) — Director & Consultant
- Former: Meli Pinto (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sonja Robinson (2021) — General Counsel
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $214K, to Malinda Dickenson (Legal & Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Protect Our Communities Foundation
How much does The Protect Our Communities Foundation give each year?
The Protect Our Communities Foundation gave $50K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $30K across 1 grant.
How large is The Protect Our Communities Foundation?
The Protect Our Communities Foundation reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $835K.
What is The Protect Our Communities Foundation?
The Protect Our Communities Foundation is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in San Diego, CA. It holds $2.0M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does The Protect Our Communities Foundation operate?
The Protect Our Communities Foundation has awarded grants in California.
What is The Protect Our Communities Foundation's EIN?
The Protect Our Communities Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-4311106. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS January 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Protect Our Communities Foundation funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Protect Our Communities Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in California
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Conrad N Hilton Foundation
Westlake Village, CA
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation funds nonprofits working to improve lives and alleviate poverty, with initiatives including early childhood development, homelessness, refugees, safe water, and support for foster and opportunity youth. Its work is global, and its 2024 grants had a median award of $76,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through its Good Neighbor Program for eligible local nonprofits and Title 1 schools.
Assets
$7.4B
Grants
1,339
Total Given
$287.7M
The California Endowment
Los Angeles, CA
The California Endowment funds nonprofit, government, and eligible faith-based organizations working to advance health and racial equity, strengthen community power, and improve health systems and communities, primarily in California. Its 2024 median grant was $100,000, and funding is by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,125
Total Given
$215.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Protect Our Communities Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Protect Our Communities Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?