Best San Diego Grants for Nonprofits in California

With a mission to enhance community life, San Diego County provides San Diego, California nonprofits with funding for cultural activities, tourism, and economic development. Eligible organizations include museums, visitor bureaus, and economic councils. Nonprofits focused on boosting tourism or job creation in the region may benefit from this opportunity.

McMillen Family Foundation provides San Diego, California nonprofits with funding to support treatment, prevention, education, and recovery services for individuals affected by alcohol and drug dependency. Eligible organizations must have a primary mission focused on substance use disorders and serve San Diego County. Grants may support program activities, staff development, equipment, or facility improvements.

Pincus Family Foundation

PFF is driven by the values that our founders David and Gerry Pincus lived by: “to get involved, not just think about your own life, you are supposed to do things for other people.” Today, the second and third generation of Pincus Family members have added their ethos, while keeping the founders’ legacy alive.

Pincus Family Foundation Grant

Mission Alignment: We support our non-profit partners to develop and enhance programs that improve the lives of children, their families, and their communities.

PFF Funds Projects, Programs, & General Operating Support in Four Priority Areas

Creative & Performing Arts

The Pincus Family Foundation’s Creative and Performing Arts portfolio supports programs where young people use art as a tool to address the structural inequities they face. Five strategic priorities:

• Arts for Social Change Focus – Integrating artistic practice with community organizing, policy advocacy, and/or systemic change efforts
• Hyperlocal Community Integration – Deep community embedment with extensive local partnerships
• Teaching Artist Investment – Commitment to the professional development and well-being of teaching artists
• Cultural Responsiveness – Programming that incorporates community cultural wealth with community input
• Environmental Justice Integration – Authentic integration of environmental themes from community-identified priorities

Target Constituency: Organizations serving preK-12 youth from marginalized communities with arts for social change programming that connects them to the power of art to question and transform systems.

Education

High school readiness for many low-income students, largely is a result of poor preparation in middle school. PFF is funding programs/projects that support middle school engagement and focus on achievement filling a funding gap. 

Target Constituency: We support non-profit organizations serving middle school students who face gaps in comprehensive high school readiness. These organizations implement innovative programming that creates challenging yet nurturing environments—preparing students for achievement while inspiring them to become engaged, confident citizens ready to contribute to their communities.

Health & Wellness

Goal: Advance children’s health and well-being by supporting nonprofits that strengthen social conditions, empower youth, and build healthier environments in marginalized communities.

Target Constituency: Nonprofits whose work strengthens social determinants of health for children in marginalized communities.

Play & Recreation

Goal: Advance children’s social-emotional development and physical well-being by supporting nonprofits that create inclusive play-based programming, competitive sports opportunities, and outdoor recreational experiences in under-resourced communities.

Target Constituency: Non-profits whose work promotes access to quality recreational programming for children ages 6-18 in under-resourced communities.

For all grants, the organization’s mission and scope must align with the Foundation’s mission. For the latter, these grants can be either unrestricted or restricted to a particular program or project. The type of grant and what it is used for will dictate the goals and objectives to be met.

With a mission to advance legal equity, The Impact Fund provides San Diego, California nonprofits with support for impact litigation addressing social, economic, environmental, and racial justice. Legal services organizations working on cases that benefit communities facing systemic oppression may be eligible for recoverable grants to cover litigation expenses.

San Diego, California nonprofits serving women and girls can access funding through The San Diego Foundation’s Hand to Hand Grant. This opportunity supports education, job training, mentoring, and health programs that empower women and girls. Organizations with annual budgets under $2 million are especially encouraged to apply for program expansion or improvement.

Stater Bros Charities supports hunger relief, children’s well-being, education, health, veterans, and pet welfare in San Diego, California by funding 501(c)(3) organizations active in these areas. Nonprofits serving San Diego County communities may be eligible for grants ranging from $500 to $2,500 to strengthen local impact.

Focused on community development and enrichment, Teichert Foundation invites San Diego, California nonprofits to apply for support in areas such as civic improvement, education, health, environmental stewardship, and youth or senior services. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and public agencies serving local residents may benefit from one-year project-based grants.

Focused on community enrichment, City of San Diego invites San Diego, California nonprofits to apply for funding supporting social, environmental, cultural, and recreational initiatives. Grants are available for one-time projects, capital improvements, and equipment purchases that serve a public purpose. Nonprofit organizations must demonstrate financial solvency and meet eligibility requirements.

San Diego, California nonprofits focused on music education can access funding through The San Diego Foundation’s Betty Scalice Foundation Grant. This opportunity supports community concerts, youth musical performances, and school-based music programs, with preference for North County San Diego. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and schools may apply for support.

The Pew Biomedical Scholars Program offers significant funding of $300,000 over four years to support early-career researchers in biomedical sciences. The program encourages innovative and impactful research that contributes to human health, requiring nomination from one of the 212 participating institutions. Candidates must hold a doctorate, run an independent lab as an assistant professor, and demonstrate exceptional promise. This program fosters collaboration and annual meetings for scholars to present their findings.

The Domanica Foundation Grant provides funding to IRS-qualified charitable 501(c)(3) organizations in San Diego and Denver. Established in 1994, the foundation focuses on social services addressing hunger, homelessness, healthcare for the uninsured, and scholarships for non-traditional students. While first-time recipients typically receive between $1,000 and $5,000, there is no set application schedule. Proposal summaries can be submitted at any time for consideration by the board.

San Diego, California nonprofits addressing health disparities and social determinants of health can access funding through Alliance Healthcare Foundation’s Mission Support Grants. Multi-year, unrestricted awards prioritize organizations serving BIPOC communities and working to reduce health inequities. Nonprofits focused on marginalized populations and systems change initiatives are especially encouraged to apply.

Project Lead The Way Inc provides San Diego, California K-12 schools with funding to expand PLTW Engineering programs. Eligible public, charter, and private nonprofit schools serving at least 40% free and reduced-price lunch students may apply for support to add courses, train teachers, or purchase required equipment. Nonprofit schools may benefit from this opportunity.

With a mission to empower students to thrive, Project Lead The Way Inc provides San Diego, California K-12 schools with opportunities to launch or expand STEM and enrichment programs. Eligible public, charter, and nonprofit schools serving at least 40% free or reduced-price lunch students may benefit from this grant, supporting STEM education in the region.

Project Lead The Way Inc provides San Diego, California K-12 schools with support to expand PLTW Gateway STEM education programs. Eligible public, charter, and private nonprofit schools serving at least 40% free and reduced-price lunch students may apply for funding to add PLTW units, train teachers, or purchase required equipment for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Grants from Project Lead The Way Inc help San Diego, California schools expand STEM and K-12 enrichment opportunities. Eligible public, charter, and private nonprofit schools in San Diego County serving high percentages of students on free and reduced-price lunch can apply to launch new PLTW programs, supporting hands-on STEM education and teacher training for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The PLTW Launch - Program Expansion initiative by Burns & McDonnell aims to enhance access to STEM education in U.S. schools. This program focuses on empowering students by providing real-world learning experiences and essential skills. Grants will support schools in expanding PLTW programs during the 2026-2027 academic year, benefiting students from underserved communities. By fostering a deeper understanding of STEM, the initiative seeks to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.

The Creative Communities San Diego Grant Program supports nonprofit organizations in delivering impactful arts and culture projects that engage diverse communities. Projects can include art exhibitions, performances, and festivals, fostering a sustainable creative ecosystem in San Diego. Applicants can receive funding based on project budgets and organizational rankings, with awards ranging from $5,000 to 43% of project costs. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility and promote creativity in local neighborhoods.

City of San Diego provides San Diego, California arts and culture nonprofits with general operating support to enhance local cultural programming and increase community access to the arts. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations may receive funding based on their operating income, proposal ranking, and available funds, supporting a vibrant arts ecosystem citywide.

San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation, Inc.

Mission

The Kiwanis Club of San Diego works in concert with the San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation, Inc. (the ‘Foundation’). The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) foundation incorporated in California that annually provides more than $250,000 to projects and organizations in the community.

The primary purpose of the San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation is to provide a means for members and others to provide charitable contributions and to ensure those contributions are utilized in accordance with the Foundation’s guidelines as well as state and federal law.

The Kiwanis San Diego and San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation are providing Community Impact Grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 for nonprofit organizations in the San Diego region with specific projects and programs focused on youth.

Thdf Ii Inc supports veteran housing initiatives in San Diego, California by funding nonprofit organizations that construct or rehabilitate permanent supportive housing for veterans. Grants typically range from $100,000 to $500,000 and are available to established 501(c)(3) organizations. Nonprofits serving veterans in San Diego may be eligible for this opportunity.

The Dr. Seuss Foundation Bright Futures Grant, in partnership with The San Diego Foundation, invites applications from nonprofit organizations. This initiative supports early literacy and social-emotional development for children up to age 8. Since 2022, nearly $5 million has been awarded to enhance educational opportunities for over 70,000 individuals, including 37,000 children. The grant aims to strengthen literacy skills and provide positive experiential activities, fostering a nurturing environment for children and their caregivers.

Focused on education, health, and human services, John Krakauer Charitable Trust invites San Diego, California nonprofits to apply for program and capacity building support. Grants prioritize organizations helping single mothers, non-English speaking immigrants, and underserved students or healthcare recipients. 501(c)(3) organizations serving these populations may be eligible for funding.

The Comcast Nbcuniversal Foundation provides San Diego, California nonprofits with funding for youth education, empowerment, and community engagement initiatives. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations working in areas such as STEM education, youth leadership, and civic engagement may benefit. Programs must serve the local community and encourage inclusion and equitable access.

San Diego, California nonprofits focused on child welfare can access funding through In-N-Out Burgers Foundation for programs serving children and youth affected by abuse and neglect. Eligible organizations may receive support for foster care, adoption, prevention, domestic violence, homelessness services, and targeted therapeutic programs that align with the foundation’s mission.

The San Diego Foundation provides San Diego, California nonprofits with funding to improve quality of life through community enhancement, music, and civic affairs initiatives. Eligible organizations must address local needs, foster collaboration, and demonstrate sustainable impact. Nonprofits working to inspire community pride and creativity in San Diego may benefit from this opportunity.