San Diego nonprofits are navigating delayed funding, budget cuts, rising costs, and shifting federal policies. To help them adapt and lead through change, the Prebys Foundation is launching BRIDGE (Building Resilient, Inclusive, and Dynamic Grassroot Ecosystems), a $2 million initiative that will support nonprofit and civic leaders from across sectors working together to strengthen their organizations and communities.
BRIDGE will begin by investing in eight trusted community organizations chosen for their strong leadership, diverse focus areas, and the people they serve. Together they will help other nonprofits and civic groups build skills, strengthen their leadership and operations, and stay connected through training, wellness practices, advocacy, and shared learning, with the potential to grow this network over time.
Even before recent shifts in federal policy and disruptions in nonprofit funding, the Prebys Foundation had already begun working with community partners to strengthen the region’s nonprofit and civic infrastructure. What began in fall 2024 as a collaborative planning effort has become BRIDGE, a coordinated investment in leadership, partnership, and local capacity to meet rising community needs. As uncertainty grows nationally, this work takes on new urgency, ensuring that local leaders are equipped and supported to lead through change.
“Nonprofits are the backbone of San Diego’s civic and social infrastructure,” said Grant Oliphant, CEO of the Prebys Foundation. “Through BRIDGE, we are standing with them in this moment of disruption to ensure they not only survive but emerge stronger, more connected, and more impactful than ever.”
The BRIDGE Cohort
- Chicano Federation – Cultivates opportunities and advocates for equity in San Diego County — serving 50,000+ people annually through child development, nutrition, affordable housing, and workforce programs.
- Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego — Builds and sustains nonprofit leaders’ personal and professional capabilities through a comprehensive continuum of development programs.
- Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) — Empowers Latinas to achieve political and economic parity through leadership training, advocacy, and education that uplifts entire communities.
- LEAD San Diego - The region’s sole nonprofit dedicated to developing civically engaged leaders; educates, engages, and mobilizes individuals to drive lasting, positive change.
- RISE San Diego — advances urban leadership through dialogue-based civic engagement, dynamic nonprofit partnerships and direct training and support to increase the capacity of urban residents to effect meaningful community change.
- Amplified Impact Partners (formerly San Diego Social Venture Partners) — Delivers high-impact pro bono consulting services to nonprofits in need of strategic and operational support, mobilizing talented professionals to amplify the effectiveness of organizations tackling San Diego’s toughest challenges.
- The Nonprofit Institute — Housed at USD’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences, it strengthens San Diego’s nonprofit sector through research, evaluation, leadership development, and signature events.
- Walking Shield — A Native-managed nonprofit since 1986, dedicated to improving American Indian families’ quality of life through health, education, housing, and economic development across 51 tribes.
BRIDGE is a cross-sector initiative formed by eight regional partners — including Chicano Federation, Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego, HOPE Leadership Institute, LEAD San Diego, RISE San Diego, Amplified Impact Partners (formerly San Diego Social Venture Partners), The Nonprofit Institute, and Walking Shield. Prebys Foundation, alongside funding partners like Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, work to enhance accessibility and broaden the initiative’s reach — reinforcing San Diego’s nonprofit and civic leadership during a time of urgent need. Together, they are building a resilient, community-driven ecosystem that supports local leaders and their organizations to strengthen impact across urban, rural, and tribal communities.
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