San Diego (November 14, 2024) – The Escondido Community Foundation (ECF), a regional affiliate of San Diego Foundation (SDF), has launched its 2025 – 2026 annual grant cycle for local nonprofits proposing projects that will improve the social and economic well-being of seniors.
“Seniors are the fastest-growing segment of Escondido’s population, yet less than 3% of philanthropic dollars go to this group,” said Dara Czerwonka, ECF Grants Chair. “Many are now facing economic challenges, social isolation and vulnerability to financial fraud schemes that we hope to address through grants to nonprofits that serve our community.”
ECF is requesting Letters of Intent (LOI) for project proposals with an emphasis on the following areas: elder fraud, social isolation and access to basic needs. Eligible nonprofit organizations serving Escondido may submit proposals for grants ranging from $15,000 to $40,000.
ECF will host a Grant Seekers Forum at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, on Zoom. During the forum, SDF staff and ECF volunteers will be available to answer questions about the grant process. Those interested in attending the forum should RSVP to Eve Childs at echilds@sdfoundation.org by Nov. 19.
The LOI is the first step in a two-step process that will allocate funding for Escondido-centered projects. LOI submissions must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 3, 2025. LOI guidelines including directions on how to register and apply can be accessed at SDFoundation.org/apply.
Organizations that move forward through the LOI process to the next step will be invited to submit a full application proposal by late February, and a completed application by March 24, 2025.
To become an ECF member, visit the website or contact Trudy Armstrong at trudy@sdfoundation.org.
About the Escondido Community Foundation & the Regional Affiliate Program
The Regional Affiliate program, including the Escondido Community Foundation, was established by San Diego Foundation to create a regional network of affiliate foundations by leveraging local leadership, building endowments, increasing impactful philanthropy, and promoting civic engagement. Affiliates reside in Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Escondido, Oceanside, Ramona and Rancho Bernardo. The Regional Affiliate program has exceeded 1,000 members, established endowments of more than $5 million overall, and granted more than $9 million in total to nonprofit organizations throughout the region.
About San Diego Foundation
For nearly 50 years, San Diego Foundation has been inspiring enduring philanthropy and enabling community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region. Our strategic priorities include advancing racial and social justice, fostering equity of opportunity, building resilient communities, and delivering world-class philanthropy to realize our vision of just, equitable and resilient communities. Since our founding in 1975, SDF and our donors have granted $1.8 billion to support nonprofit organizations strengthening our community. Join us in commemorating 50 years of impact – and looking toward the next 50. Learn more at SDFoundation.org.
