San Diego Foundation

What it reported doing in 2024

See schedule o.since 1975, san diego foundation has provided a permanent and growing source of funding to nonprofits serving the san diego region. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the foundation grants millions of dollars annually to nonprofit organizations addressing the challenges and needs in the san diego region by using the highest level of philanthropic and investment expertise to provide maximum impact.san diego foundation maximizes the impact of charitable giving to enact positive change in our region. We partner with donors, nonprofits and regional leaders to co-create solutions that respond to community needs and strengthen san diego.we manage charitable funds for hundreds of individuals, families and corporations. A gift to san diego foundation provides maximum tax deductions, outstanding investment management and low administrative costs. With more than 50 years serving the community and hundreds of active partnerships and collaborations with business, government and community leaders and organizations, we are able to assess changing regional needs and take action on san diego's most pressing challenges. We gather this information and create an ongoing understanding of our region's needs and pair it with our donors' passions, values and interest areas and connect them with nonprofit organizations that offer solutions.san diego foundation allows individuals and families to establish customized charitable funds without the burden of tax liabilities and administrative tasks associated with setting up a private foundation. Our board of governors, comprised of professional experts and community leaders, and our knowledgeable staff provide keen oversight and an unwavering commitment to honoring the wishes of each donor.san diego foundation's program areas are guided by our organizational values. We value all people, all partners, and our region. We act with integrity and respect for one another and the communities we serve, we engage diverse perspectives to foster collaboration and innovative solutions, and we strive for an inclusive community where everyone has equitable access to opportunity.we adhere to a deeply ethical approach to philanthropy, one that holds ourselves accountable to being a trustworthy partner and to approaching our work with humility and respect for the expertise of the communities we serve and of the government, nonprofit, business sectors and individuals with whom we collaborate. We will be open-minded, learn constantly, listen carefully to different experiences and different perspectives, build strong and diverse coalitions, support community engagement and engage in shared decision-making. Grant opportunities are offered by san diego foundation, san diego women's foundation, policy & innovation center and our seven regional affiliate foundations (4sranch-del sur, carlsbad, chula vista, escondido, oceanside, ramona, and rancho bernardo).

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 90%; rating input score 90
• Program expense ratio: 82.7%; rating input score 83
• Fundraising efficiency: $21.69 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 59; 59th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.8%; rating input score 94; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: 2 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 25
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Fail
  • Conducts field audits: Fail
  • May suspend future funding: Fail
  • Requires financial reports: Fail
  • Conducts site visits: Fail
  • Requires grant agreements: Pass
  • May require repayment: Fail
• Grant itemization coverage: 98.1%; rating input score 98; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 23.4%; rating input score 89; 89th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 10.96; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.1; rating input score 82; 82nd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 2.6%; rating input score 44; 44th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 10.7% per year; rating input score 100; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 9.1% per year; rating input score 100; 73rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 8.4% per year; rating input score 100; 61st percentile among comparable filings