By MEL KATZ, San Diego Foundation Board of Governors
Every holiday season, San Diego families gather to celebrate traditions of gratitude and giving. For some, the choice of where to give is clear: long-term support for a cherished nonprofit, a school program or a faith community. But for many others, the desire to give is there, yet the question remains: Where will my gift do the most good?
That is where your community foundation can help.
For more than 50 years, San Diego Foundation (SDF) has helped individuals and families give with confidence and impact. Quite simply, we connect generosity with opportunity. Every day San Diegans partner with us to identify areas of greatest need and help ensure each gift creates measurable change in people’s lives. When families want to give but are not sure where to start, SDF can guide them to causes that reflect both their values and the region’s most pressing challenges.
Today, those challenges are clear. Cuts in federal funding have strained the safety net services for more than 400,000 San Diegans. The sad reality is one in eight San Diegans is facing economic hardship due to government cuts to public programs and services.
Where Your Gift Matters Most
One of the most effective ways to help this holiday season is by joining United for San Diego, an unprecedented partnership led by three of San Diego’s largest foundations – Prebys Foundations, Price Philanthropies and San Diego Foundation – and the Price family. These funders have increased their combined annual giving and are aligning giving strategies to help support basic needs and keep critical community resources afloat.
Donate through San Diego Unity Fund to join your neighbors in responding to San Diego’s urgent, emerging needs. Your gift keeps San Diegans housed, fed and healthy during these challenging times. And this year, there is even more reason to give. Thanks to a $25,000 matching challenge from California Bank & Trust, every dollar contributed to the San Diego Unity Fund is doubled.
Giving That Fits Your Family
SDF makes it easy for families to give in ways that fit any family’s financial situation and goals. In addition to traditional cash gifts, we can accept appreciated stock, mutual funds, real estate and other assets, offering both convenience and tax benefits. Many families create donor-advised funds (DAFs) to establish a lasting tradition of giving. A fund can be established in a child’s name, used to teach younger generations about philanthropy, or simply serve as a flexible, tax-advantaged way to support causes now or over time.
The Gift of Hope
Beyond the dollars, giving brings something deeper: hope. When a family helps another family find stability or care, it strengthens the bonds that make San Diego such a special place to live. Whether it is ensuring a young family can stay in their home, a child has a nutritious meal, or an older adult receives needed healthcare, your gift reminds someone that they belong and are not alone. This holiday season, if your family is looking for a meaningful way to give back, consider letting San Diego Foundation help you discover where your generosity can do the most good.
Together, we can make this season one of hope, compassion and lasting impact.
Learn more at www.SDFoundation.org.
