San Diego County CA—The San Diego Foundation announced the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund has granted $1 million to six nonprofit organizations, spread throughout San Diego County, that are providing much-needed financial assistance to San Diegans impacted by the pandemic.
The grants were announced on January 28 at a virtual press conference hosted by The San Diego Foundation in partnership with the Interfaith Community Services, International Rescue Committee, SAY San Diego, South Bay Community Services, MAAC and City Heights CDC.
When the recent jump in coronavirus cases occurred, The San Diego Foundation and Leadership Council for the COVID-19 Community Response Fund quickly recognized that the subsequent stay-at-home order and business closures would have a trickle-down effect on workers and families. Many families who went back to work in some capacity in the fall, found themselves without work when the surge in cases necessitated further health and safety measures. As a result, the number of San Diegans in need has risen, per the latest state Employment Development Department data which indicates that unemployment increased to 8 percent in San Diego County in December.
The six nonprofit grantees were selected because of their deep roots in the community and long-term impact in specific regions throughout San Diego County. Each of the regions represented in the grantmaking has more than 100,000 residents living below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The organizations and regions being served include:

• Central – City Heights CDC – $220,000
• South County – South Bay Community Services – $180,000
• East County – International Rescue Committee – $150,000
• North County Coastal – MAAC – $150,000
• North County Central – SAY San Diego – $140,000
• North County Inland – Interfaith Community Services – $160,000

To make the most impact in the shortest amount of time, the six nonprofits will distribute funding through their own networks into the hands of the clients and communities they serve. Visit each organization’s website to learn more about their COVID-19 relief efforts and view any funding opportunities related to this grant.
To date, the COVID-19 Community Response Fund has granted more than $56 million through over 244 grants to 200 nonprofit partners. These nonprofits provided computers, internet access, childcare, food security, financial assistance, medical support, workforce training and other vital needs to our region’s most vulnerable communities. Grantmaking is made possible thanks to more than $64 million that has been raised for the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund through 3,500 individuals, businesses, foundations, government partnerships and donor-advised funds.
Businesses, individuals and organizations can donate and find additional information about the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund at SDFoundation.org/COVID19.
The San Diego Foundation is part of a national movement of more than 600 community foundations that have mobilized more than $1 billion to aid in the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis through response funds. Individual donations are bolstered by San Diego corporations and numerous donor-advised funds at The San Diego Foundation.