The San Diego Foundation
The San Diego Foundation is a community foundation based in an individual recipient, California, formed in 1975. It is classified as a public charity and supports nonprofit organizations through competitive and discretionary grants, donor-directed giving, and charitable funds. Its stated mission is to inspire enduring philanthropy and enable community solutions that improve quality of life in the region.
The San Diego Foundation at a glance
In short: The San Diego Foundation gave $94.3M across 1,158 grants in 2025 (avg $81K), mostly in California. 26% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $94,296,130
- -7.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1,158
- +11.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $81,430
- -17.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $1,651,991,058
- +6.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (299 of 1,135, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (87% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The San Diego Foundation
- Review Cycle
- Applications for the 2026–2027 Safe & Stable Housing Fund youth cycle are due at 5:00 p.m. on October 2, 2026.
- Deadline
- Applications for the 2026–2027 Safe & Stable Housing Fund youth cycle are due at 5:00 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2508 Historic Decatur Road 200, San Diego, CA 92106
Phone: (619) 235-2300
Website: https://sdfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The San Diego Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Community Foundation for Monterey County ($5.0M). Together the top 10 received $21.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 23 grants to individuals ($1,447,537), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
5,139 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3,316 grants of 5,139 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says that, unless otherwise specified, applicants must be located in an individual recipient County and primarily serve its residents. Its 2025 grants went to recipients in multiple states, with 87% of grant dollars going to California recipients, 2% each to Florida and New York, and 1% each to Idaho and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 1,158 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The San Diego Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 299 of 1,135 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $97K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $30K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $74.0M (2020) to $144.3M (2022). In 2025 it made 1,158 grants totaling $94.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation for Monterey County Monterey, CA | For the "Bob" Fund at CFMC. | $4,956,124 |
| Uc San Diego Foundation La Jolla, CA | For General Support | $3,739,925 |
| Policy & Innovation Center San Diego, CA | For support of the san diego regional policy and innovation center per agreement. $1,250,000 grant to be paid $250,000 per year for 5 years in fy22 - fy26 | $2,195,000 |
| Just Transition Alliance San Diego, CA | To support just transition alliances time as part of the tcc post award consultation (PAC) | $1,912,356 |
| WTA Foundation Inc St Petersburg, FL | For Global Women's Health Support | $1,500,000 |
| California Department of Fish & Wildlife San Diego, CA | To Complete Maintenance Dredging at Batiquitos Lagoon | $1,500,000 |
| Uc San Diego La Jolla, CA | 1059 - Frahiwot Legess - A18300514 | $1,492,102 |
| Campanile Foundation San Diego, CA | For General Support | $1,358,614 |
| San Diego Community College Auxiliary Organization San Diego, CA | For General Support | $1,205,000 |
| Zoological Society of San Diego San Diego, CA | For General Support | $1,197,224 |
Ready to take the next step with The San Diego Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Filing-year figures reported by the foundation:
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,651,991,058 | $196,946,092 | $150,764,759 | $94,296,130 | 1,158 | $83,246,134 |
| 2024 | $1,547,963,068 | $218,410,559 | $151,459,377 | $102,285,460 | 1,040 | $81,189,938 |
| 2023 | $1,449,190,327 | $268,696,192 | $159,687,256 | $117,674,040 | 1,105 | $36,868,015 |
| 2022 | $1,298,825,008 | $283,565,373 | $179,913,602 | $144,347,779 | 988 | $61,765,039 |
| 2021 | $1,302,414,916 | $197,035,758 | $124,312,177 | $95,869,765 | 848 | $58,438,474 |
| 2020 | $1,065,212,876 | $147,340,158 | $95,120,818 | $73,995,303 | 828 | $40,921,813 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to inspire enduring philanthropy and enable community solutions to improve the quality of life in its region. Its current strategic plan names four priorities: creating transformative impact, motivating community action, inspiring informed giving, and deepening organizational excellence. Its focus areas are family well-being, education, environment, and housing. The foundation also describes its discretionary and competitive grantmaking as aligned with advancing racial and social justice, fostering equity of opportunity, and building resilient communities.
The foundation considers applications from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose work aligns with its mission and priority impact areas; it does not award grants to individuals. Depending on the program, funding may support projects, capacity building, or core operations and general support. Examples of grantees’ work include the Community Foundation for Monterey County, whose mission is to inspire philanthropy and strengthen Monterey County communities; UC San Diego Foundation, which raises private support for the university’s research, teaching, and public service; and Just Transition Alliance, which seeks to help communities and workers transition from unsafe workplaces and environments to healthy, viable communities with a sustainable economy.
Grantmaking
The 2025 filing lists 1,158 grants totaling $94,296,130. Grant amounts ranged from $5,100 to $4,956,124, with a median of $25,000. Separately, the foundation’s fast facts report that it awarded $96.8 million to the nonprofit community in fiscal year 2025.
Among the largest grants listed for 2025 were $4,956,124 to Community Foundation for Monterey County, for its “Bob” Fund; $3,739,925 to UC San Diego Foundation for general support; $2,195,000 to Policy & Innovation Center for support of the an individual recipient Regional Policy and Innovation Center; and $1,912,356 to Just Transition Alliance for its time as part of the TCC Post Award Consultation. Other large grants included $1.5 million to WTA Foundation Inc. for global women’s health support and $1.5 million to California Department of Fish & Wildlife to complete maintenance dredging at Batiquitos Lagoon.
The foundation’s website lists a 2026–2027 Safe & Stable Housing Fund grant cycle for programs serving the well-being of youth living in North County San Diego. Requests may range from $10,000 to $40,000 for a 12-month grant cycle beginning with the award in December 2026. Applicants should review the opportunity’s guidelines and eligibility requirements before applying. The foundation posts opportunities in its online grant portal.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website identifies Mark Stuart as president and CEO. The 2025 filing lists Pam Luster as chair, Steven Klosterman as vice chair, Dr. Pradeep Gidwani as secretary, and Cindy J. Bertrand as treasurer. It also lists Alessandra Lezama, Allen Young, Amanda Montgomery, Amina Sheik Mohamad, Clifford Schireson, and Dr. Becky Petitt as governors; Lezama’s listing notes service through June 2025.
The San Diego Foundation is led by Mark A. Stuart Cfre, President & CEO on the 2025 filing; 8 of 29 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mark A. Stuart Cfre
President & CEO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$642K (2025)
Pam Luster
Chair
Board Member → Governor, 2023
Governor → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Zumbano
Vice President, Development & Stewards
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$236K (2020) → $372K (2025)
Clifford Schireson
Governor
Interim & CAO → Board Member, 2021
Board Member → Governor, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
$79K (2020) → $0 (2025)
James Howell
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$277K (2020) → $458K (2025)
Kelly Feuillet
Assistant Vice President of Finance & Controller
Director & Financial Report → Director & Financial Reporting, 2021
Director & Financial Reporting → Assistant Vice President of Finance & Controller, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$186K (2020) → $269K (2025)
Matt Fettig
Vice President & Chief Investment Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$269K (2020) → $408K (2025)
Theresa Nakata
Vice President & Chief Communications Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$207K (2020) → $287K (2025)
Susan L. Guinn
Chief Innovation Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$452K (2022) → $670K (2025)
Pamela G. Payton Vp Chief
Impact & Partnerships Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$237K (2023) → $293K (2025)
Becky Petitt
Governor
Board Member → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Governor, 2025
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cindy J. Bertrand
Treasurer
Treasurer → Governor, 2023
Governor → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gisele Bonitz
Governor
Board Member → Governor, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ken Derrett
Governor
Board Member → Governor, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Hamilton
Governor
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Governor, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mel Katz
Governor
Board Member → Governor, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
P. Kay Coleman
Governor
Immediate Past Chair → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Governor, 2024
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pradeep Gidwani MD MPH
Secretary
Board Member → Governor, 2023
Governor → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Klosterman
Vice Chair
Chair → Immediate Past Chair & Vice Chair, 2024
Immediate Past Chair & Vice Chair → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Montgomery
Governor
Board Member → Governor, 2023
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elvin Lai
Governor
Governor → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Governor, 2025
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rudy Johnson
Governor
Board Member → Governor, 2023
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alessandra Lezama
Governor
On filings since 2023
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gloria Corral
Governor
On filings since 2024
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leena Gupta
Governor
On filings since 2024
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allen Young
Governor
New on the 2025 filing
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amina Sheik Mohamad
Governor
New on the 2025 filing
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Liza Crisafi
Governor
New on the 2025 filing
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rafael Castellanos
Governor
New on the 2025 filing
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Mark Stuart (2020–2024) — President & CEO
- Former: Pedro Villegas (2021–2024) — Governor
- Former: Xiomara Arroyo (2023–2024) — Governor
- Former: Elisabeth Eisner Forbes (2020–2023) — Governor
- Former: Hal Dunning (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Cameron Mattson (2020–2022) — Director, Development & Stewardship
- Former: Colleen Dillaway (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jacob James (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Pamela G. Payton (2022) — Vice President, Chief Impact & Partnerships Officer
- Former: Benjamin Haddad (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Constance Carroll (2020–2021) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Donna Marie Robinson (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: James Fitzpatrick (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Katie Rast (2020–2021) — Director & Community Impact
- Former: Kevin Harris (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Leigh Kole Johnson (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Steven Sefton (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Cathy Baur (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Ginny Merrifield (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Kay Chandler (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Susan Bantz (2020) — Chief Operating Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $670K, to Susan L Guinn (Chief Innovation Officer). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The San Diego Foundation
How much does The San Diego Foundation give each year?
The San Diego Foundation gave $94.3M across 1,158 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $102.3M across 1,040 grants.
What is The San Diego Foundation's typical grant size?
The San Diego Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $81,430, across 1,158 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The San Diego Foundation that year got $45K on average.
Where does The San Diego Foundation give grants?
The San Diego Foundation gives mostly in California: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (415 grants), La Jolla, CA (35 grants), Washington, DC (30 grants) and New York, NY (27 grants).
Does The San Diego Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 46% of The San Diego Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (536 of 1,158) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "For Scholarships" (80 grants), "For Use as Needed" (5 grants) and "A 2024 Cox Charities Community Grant" (4 grants).
Who are The San Diego Foundation's largest grantees?
The San Diego Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Community Foundation for Monterey County ($4,956,124), Uc San Diego Foundation ($3,739,925) and Policy & Innovation Center ($2,195,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 23 grants to individuals ($1,447,537), which are not listed by name. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The San Diego Foundation?
The San Diego Foundation reported $1.7B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $196.9M.
What does The San Diego Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to inspire enduring philanthropy and enable community solutions to improve the quality of life in its region. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The San Diego Foundation?
The San Diego Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check sdfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The San Diego Foundation's EIN?
The San Diego Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-2942582. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–propublica_summary.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 7, 2021)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 6, 2022)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 30, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
Live grants for the work The San Diego Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The San Diego Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The San Diego Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-san-diego-foundation-morg_4a96023bf4cf4328b5df66a97f6f138d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_952942582_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The San Diego Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-san-diego-foundation-morg_4a96023bf4cf4328b5df66a97f6f138d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The San Diego 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 San Diego Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?