The 18-month pilot program invests in San Diego youth to strengthen civic health, combat misinformation, and foster community-led solutions.
SAN DIEGO, CA —Sept. 9, 2026— Today, the Prebys Foundation announced 24 local nonprofi t organizations selected to receive a total of $2.5M in funding through its new 18-month initiative, Rooted and Rising: Youth Leadership. The initiative invests in organizations across San Diego County that equip middle and high school-aged youth with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to participate actively and meaningfully in civic life.
“Rooted and Rising represents more than a grantmaking initiative. It is an investment in San Diego’s future and the young people who will help shape it. Young people bring ideas, energy, and a deep commitment to their communities. By creating opportunities for them to build their skills, amplify their voices, and lead on issues that matter to them, we are investing in a generation ready to create a more connected, vibrant, and inclusive San Diego”
The initiative follows a comprehensive listening eff ort conducted by the foundation in 2025 to examine San Diego’s civic engagement landscape amid national trends of declining civic trust, rising misinformation, and limited leadership opportunities for young people. Through conversations with more than 30 local organizations and funders, three topics were consistent: the need for modern civic skills among youth, opportunities for real-world application, and early leadership development. These priorities heavily influenced how the initiative was designed.
“Our STAAND program helps students realize the power of their voices in their community and gives them opportunities to use their voices to enact meaningful change,” said Kate Duff y, Assistant Grant Writer and Youth Programs Coordinator at CASA Neighborhoods, one of the 24 Rooted and Rising: Youth Leadership grantees. “This support enables East County students to practice civic engagement and emerge equipped with the skills and experience they need to become advocates for their peers.”
Programs will build on young people’s strengths, perspectives, and lived experiences, creating opportunities to lead, shape solutions to issues that matter to their communities, including social and environmental justice and mental health, and deepen their understanding of how to navigate and influence change within community and government systems.
Among the recipients, organizations like La Causa Service Clubs cultivate youth leadership and civic agency through school-based programs that combine weekly civic education, leadership skill-building, and service learning.
“I have been a part of La Causa Service Clubs for 4 years now. I’ve gained many friendships and skills but most importantly, I’ve gained a love for my community, said Mirian, a high school student participating in La Causa Service Clubs. “Through the club we’ve helped multiple families with clothing drives, food drives as well as cleaning up neighborhoods. This club has taught me that if you want something to change you have to have the courage to take action.”
The API Initiative, another grant recipient, builds leadership skills and fosters civic engagement through its Road Scholars program, where high school students participate in municipal meetings, volunteering and town halls.
“I’m looking forward to the Road Scholars program to learn leadership skills and more about my culture and community, said Zae, a high school freshman who will be participating in the API Initiative’s Road Scholars program. “My big sister went through the program. She told me about the fun trips that they took to meet Filipino leaders and participate in community events. I’m very excited!”
The selection process
To select the final cohort, Prebys conducted a competitive, two-stage evaluation process that included an open-call and initial screening, of which 175 applications were received from non-profit organizations across San Diego County. Organizations were evaluated on existing programs that meet the initiative’s goals and criteria:
- Prepare youth with leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
- Offer experiential learning tied to real community issues (e.g., health and wellbeing, arts and culture, climate resilience, democratic participation).
- Build supportive networks connecting youth to mentors, civic leaders, and workforce pathways.
- Center and elevate youth voice through storytelling, content creation, and visible leadership role
The 2026 Rooted and Rising Grant Recipients:
| Organization Name | Grant Amount—18 Month Period | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Api Initiative |
$125,000 |
||
Barrio Logan College Institute |
$75,000 |
||
Bayside Community Center |
$55,000 |
||
Boys & Girls Clubs of East County |
$50,000 |
||
Center on Policy Initiatives |
$125,000 |
||
La Causa Service Clubs |
$115,000 |
||
Community Action Service & Advocacy (CASA) |
$125,000 |
||
Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) San Diego |
$115,000 |
||
Dreams & Ducats |
$100,000 |
||
Indigenous Regeneration |
$125,000 |
||
International Community Foundation |
$70,000 |
||
Izcalli |
$100,000 |
||
National Conflict Resolution Center |
$125,000 |
||
TrueCare |
$125,000 |
||
Pillars of the Community |
$100,000 |
||
SanDiego350 |
$125,000 |
||
SAY San Diego |
$100,000 |
||
The AjA Project |
$110,000 |
||
The Global Action Research Center |
$75,000 |
||
The San Diego LGBT Community Center |
$100,000 |
||
United Women of East Africa Support Team |
$125,000 |
||
Universidad Popular |
$125,000 |
||
YMCA of San Diego County |
$125,000 |
||
Youth Will |
$85,000 |
||
Total |
$2,500,000 |
Prebys will work alongside the 24 organizations over the next 18 months, learning directly from grantees and young people through program visits, ongoing conversations, and reflection. Each program will culminate in a youth-led action project addressing an issue that matters to their community. Through this learning-focused approach, the Foundation seeks to better understand how sustained leadership and civic engagement experiences strengthen young people’s confidence, agency, and sense of belonging, and which issues inspire them to take action. These insights will inform the Foundation and future strategies.
About Prebys Foundation
Prebys Foundation is the largest independent private foundation in San Diego County, working to create an inclusive, equitable, and dynamic future for all San Diegans. The Foundation invests in arts and culture, medical research, health and well-being, and youth success, advancing shared opportunity.
