The San Diego Foundation will hold its 33rd annual meeting tonight on the U.S.S. Midway Museum. The Foundation will be announcing historic accomplishments over the past fiscal year to more than 500 donors, volunteers, nonprofit organizations and Foundation employees expected to attend.
The Foundation was able to grant out more than $62 million this past year – that’s more than a million dollars a week – with another $5 million already granted since July 1, 2008. Therefore, The Foundation has surpassed $600 million granted since inception. These grant funds provide much needed support to the nonprofit organizations throughout the San Diego region that carry out missions spanning the full spectrum of charitable causes.
Other record-breaking accomplishments include:
- The Foundation exceeded its goal of $50 million for contributions to new and existing funds for a record $61 million.
- The Endow San Diego program grew to $145 million in new endowments, three times the original goal set in 2005.
- A record 194 funds were established at The Foundation, bringing the number of active funds to 1,553, of which 74 are new endowment funds.
- An all-time high of 361 volunteers are serving on 31 committees, Working Groups and community affiliates within The Foundation.
“Leadership and legacy, the theme of this year’s annual meeting, is at the heart of The San Diego Foundation,” said Jack Raymond, chair of the Board of Governors for The San Diego Foundation. “Our mission is to convene and engage members of the community for the purpose of improving the quality of life for all San Diegans. Endow San Diego is a shining example of the strides that we have made not only toward meeting this goal, but exceeding it, all for the betterment of our community.”
Endow San Diego is a region-wide, multi-year movement launched by The San Diego Foundation in October 2005. Endow San Diego chair Bill Geppert, senior vice president and general manager, Cox Communications and member of The Foundation’s Board of Governors, told the audience, “In just three years, Endow San Diego has surpassed our expectations and is still going strong. To date, more than $145 million in new endowments are benefiting the San Diego region — three times our original goal.”
“The generosity and vision of our donors, community partners, as well as our corporate partners such as Qualcomm have contributed to an incredible year for The San Diego Foundation,” said Bob Kelly, president and CEO of The San Diego Foundation. “The individuals, organizations and families who have funds at The Foundation should all be proud that their combined efforts resulted in this record breaking year. I sincerely thank our donors, working groups, Board of Governors, volunteers and staff for achieving such remarkable results during a year in which we faced formidable obstacles.”
Setting another historic record demonstrating the immense generosity of San Diegans, the After-the-Fires Fund 2007 was established during last October’s wildfires to receive the numerous donations that came to The Foundation from across the country. Donations were used for making emergency grants to first responders and other nonprofit service organizations engaged in disaster response, recovery and rebuilding. More than $10 million in donations were contributed, with $2 million granted for immediate response and recovery activities. The second stage is providing grants to help rebuild the lives of fire victims, as well as restore the communities affected by the fires. To date, the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund Board has granted $7 million, and works in close partnership with other local and regional funding organizations to support the rebuilding effort.
“The San Diego Regional Disaster Fund Board and community recovery teams were able to act quickly to ensure funds were appropriated effectively and to craft a timely 2007 Community Needs Assessment Report to lead our long-term recovery efforts,” said Ted Chan, M.D., chair of the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund Board of Directors. “These funds are at work today assisting with recovery and rebuilding projects across the county.”
The Foundation also welcomed to its Board of Governors community leaders Dr. Sandra Daley, Doug Hegebarth, Craig Irving, Hollyce Phillips and Dr. Barbara Sawrey.
“I salute The San Diego Foundation for bringing together diverse members of our community in the spirit of enriching and improving the region,” said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. “In 33 years, this Foundation has raised our awareness of the importance of civic engagement by supporting local nonprofit, arts, education, neighborhood and environmental initiatives. All residents of the greater San Diego region congratulate you and thank you.”
About The San Diego Foundation
Founded in 1975, The San Diego Foundation is a broad-purpose community foundation helping individuals, families and organizations carry out their charitable plans, with the common goals of improving the quality of life in the greater San Diego region, now and for generations to come.
Note to Editors: | ||
When: | Tuesday, July 22, 2008. Registration, 4:30 p.m.; Program, 5:30 p.m.; Reception, 6:30 p.m. | |
Where: | U.S.S. Midway Museum, 910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA | |
Who: | Bob Kelly, President and CEO, The San Diego Foundation | |
| Jack Raymond, Board Chair, The San Diego Foundation Board of Governors | ||
| Bill Geppert, Chair, Endow San Diego; General Manager, Cox Communications | ||
| Ted Chan, M.D., Chair, San Diego Regional Disaster Fund Board of Directors | ||
Visuals: | 10-minute year in review video. After-the-Fires review video. Reception on the USS Midway flight deck. | |
Contacts:
Anna-Marie Rooney, 619-235-2300
or
MJE
Marketing
Nancy Mumford, 619-682-3841
