Funding Amount

Up to $31,000 total distributed

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Annual
Tracked since
April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • Nonprofit agencies serving older adults

Other requirements

  • Senior centers
  • Community organizations with senior programming

Overview

Overview:
Holiday-focused mini-grants designed to bring joy and connection to socially isolated seniors during the holiday season, funding special events and programming at senior centers and nonprofit agencies.

Program Details

  • Total pool: Over $31,000 awarded
  • Year launched: 2020 (holiday season)
  • Beneficiaries: Over 2,200 older people across San Diego County
  • Geographic scope: Countywide (North County, South County, East County, Central)

Purpose

To create holiday-themed events and programming that:
  • Uplift spirits of seniors who may be alone during holidays
  • Combat social isolation during pandemic
  • Support organizations serving older people
  • Bring joy through varied holiday activities

Types of Programs Funded

  • Drive-thru holiday parties with meals, gifts, and entertainment
  • Meal and gift deliveries to homebound seniors
  • Virtual holiday gatherings (Zoom programming)
  • Holiday decorations and plants (poinsettias, Christmas cacti)
  • Handwritten holiday cards and greeting packages
  • Gift cards and special treats
  • Cultural and holiday-themed entertainment
  • New Year's celebration packages
  • Festive meal service

Eligible Organizations

  • Senior centers
  • Nonprofit agencies serving older adults
  • Community organizations with senior programming

Award Amounts

  • Range: $1,000 to $3,000 per organization
  • 2020 holiday grants ranged from $1,000 to $3,000

Funded Organizations (2020 Example)

  • Del Mar Community Connections - $2,500
  • Escondido Senior Center - $3,000
  • Serving Seniors - $2,520
  • Sharp Senior Health Center - $2,225
  • Borrego Springs Senior Center - $3,000
  • Neighborhood House Senior Center - $2,840
  • Jewish Family Services - $2,500
  • La Jolla Community Center - $3,000
  • Fallbrook Senior Center - $3,000
  • Fourth District Senior Center - $3,000
  • Ramona Senior Center - $3,000
  • Norman Park Senior Center Chula Vista - $1,000

Contact Information

San Diego Seniors Community Foundation
  • Phone: (619) 684-9114
  • Email: info@sdscf.org
  • Mailing: P.O. Box 60515, San Diego, CA 92106
  • Website: sdscf.org

What San Diego Seniors Community Foundation actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025
10
Total given
$238K
Median grant
$16K
Range
$6,000–$57K
  • By dollars: California 100%. Top recipient cities: San Diego, CA; Fallbrook, CA; San Marcos, CA.
  • 30% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

  • Disabled Services Advisory Council · San Diego, CA

    $57K

  • Foundation for Senior Care · Fallbrook, CA

    $55K

  • Ed Brown Senior Center of Rancho Bernardo · San Diego, CA

    $37K

  • City of San Marcos · San Marcos, CA

    $17K

  • City of Chula Vista · Chula Vista, CA

    $16K

IRS Form 990, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Seniors
  • Nonprofits
  • Foundation

Categories

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