Through these grants, the Foundation seeks to promote mental, physical, social well-being utilizing a non-clinical approach and experiences in the arts, culture, and nature.
San Diego, Calif. – February 10, 2026 – The Prebys Foundation announced today it is awarding $5.2 million to 50 nonprofit organizations through its Healing Through Arts and Nature initiative. The organizations deliver community-based programs that use arts, culture, and nature to support healing and well-being across San Diego County. Now in its second year, the initiative supports non-clinical approaches that show that participation in arts and cultural activities, as well as time spent in nature, can support emotional, physical, and social well-being.
“Healing doesn’t happen in just one place, and access to it shouldn’t depend on who you are or where you live,” said Prebys Foundation CEO and President Grant Oliphant. “Our intention with these grants is to honor culturally grounded approaches in arts, culture, and nature and to reflect what we know to be true: that wellness can be nurtured in the shared spaces of everyday life, through creativity, connection, and time in nature.”
A Catalyst for Healing
The important work of previous Healing Through Arts and Nature grantees is reflected by organizations like Un Mar de Colores, whose Oceanside Stewards Afterschool Program serves students ages 13 – 17 and equips them with environmental literacy, career readiness, and mental and physical health well-being.
“Our program is built around consistent weekly sessions over the course of a semester, because healing and confidence come through repetition, trust, and relationship,” said Mario Ordoñez-Calderón, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Un Mar de Colores. “The ocean has a unique ability to ground young people, offering a space for nervous system regulation, confidence-building, and belonging through repeated time in nature. Our ecosystem approach is key, educators and counselors regularly join us on the beach and can speak to observed changes in student wellbeing, engagement, and self-expression beyond the classroom.”
Mid-City Community Advocacy Network (CAN), another grant recipient, offers a number of community youth programs that promote civic advocacy but also civic health. The organization has expanded access to outdoor experiences in 2025 by taking 18 Youth Council members on a camping trip to Joshua Tree National Park, where many experienced camping for the first time. Other youth had the opportunity to try activities like surfing and kayaking allowing them to de-stress and find comfort in knowing there are available resources to learn the importance of mindfulness and mental health. With support from the Healing Through Arts and Nature grant, the youth will take a trip to Yosemite National Park this year.
Similarly, San Diego Canyonlands is creating consistent nature experiences for youth in local canyons. Its Canyon Connections Initiative brings City Heights students into local canyons twice a week throughout the school year for class sessions and weekend restoration activities. By engaging directly with the land, students discover ways to manage stress, build meaningful relationships, and cultivate resilience, all while contributing to the restoration and stewardship of the ecosystems in their own neighborhoods.
Proven Benefits of Healing Through Arts and Nature
Growing research highlights the physical and emotional health benefits of spending time outdoors. Access to natural spaces like parks or water is linked to lower stress levels, increased physical activity, and higher life expectancy. Studies also suggest that nature can enhance focus and attention, particularly for individuals with attention deficit and related conditions.
Additionally, engaging in the arts can reduce social isolation by strengthening relationships,fostering a sense of belonging, alleviating stress and anxiety, and enhancing self-esteem and self-awareness.
The New Children’s Museum, through its Rx for Art + Play Program, plans to deepen its understanding of how families experience the museum together. “With this support, we will study ways to better understand how families experience the museum together, changes they observe in their child’s mood or behavior, as well as their comfort and confidence engaging in art and play, said Elizabeth Yang-Hellewell, Executive Director & CEO. “Through conversation, we will evaluate perceived reductions in stress or isolation and how museum visits support daily routines, coping, and connection.”
Partnerships Pilot a Local Social Prescribing Program
To strengthen learning and shared infrastructure across the Healing Through Arts and Nature/Social Prescribing ecosystem, Prebys Foundation is partnering with The Nonprofit Institute, Art Pharmacy, and The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat).
Together, these partners are working to support arts, culture, nature-based organizations, and health providers, deepening learning across the field, and advancing coordinated approaches that improve community health and well-being across San Diego.
Below is full list of the Healing Through Arts & Nature grantees:
| 2026 Organization Name | Total Amount |
|---|---|
A Step Beyond |
$100,000 |
Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation |
$75,000 |
Art of Elan |
$66,000 |
Art Pharmacy |
$200,000 |
ArtReach |
$36,000 |
Botanical Community Development Initiatives |
$100,000 |
CCAE Theatricals |
$150,000 |
Children’s Museum of Discovery |
$86,000 |
City Heights Community Development Corporation |
$150,000 |
Depositing Empowerment Through Outreach and Urban Development |
$100,000 |
Dreams & Ducats |
$50,000 |
Emilio Nares Foundation |
$130,000 |
Fern Street Community Arts |
$125,000 |
Hearts and Hooves Therapy |
$50,000 |
Ilan-Lael Foundation |
$30,000 |
Kumeyaay Community College |
$150,000 |
Malashock Dance |
$77,000 |
Mid-City Community Action Network |
$142,000 |
Mira Costa College Foundation |
$127,000 |
Image fiscally sponsored by Mission Edge |
$150,000 |
Slavic Refugee and Immigrant Services Organization |
$100,000 |
Outdoor Outreach |
$150,000 |
Paddle for Peace |
$100,000 |
Pala Band of Mission Indians – Leaning Center |
$75,000 |
Project New Village |
$150,000 |
Resounding Joy |
$125,000 |
Rosin Box Project |
$60,000 |
San Diego Armed Services YMCA |
$50,000 |
San Diego Canyonlands |
$50,000 |
San Diego City College Foundation |
$75,000 |
San Diego Craft Collective |
$30,000 |
San Diego Dance Theater |
$70,000 |
San Diego Natural History Museum |
$535,000 |
San Diego Second Chance Program |
$150,000 |
The Veterans Art Project, fiscally sponsored by Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs |
$100,000 |
Space 4 Art |
$150,000 |
STAR/PAL |
$45,000 |
Surprise Farm Retreat Center |
$75,000 |
Synergy Arts Foundation |
$40,000 |
The AjA Project |
$125,000 |
The Escondido Creek Conservancy |
$50,000 |
The New Children’s Museum |
$75,000 |
The Queer Sol Collective |
$75,000 |
Project PAINT fiscally sponsored by The William James Association |
$60,000 |
Timken Museum of Art |
$40,000 |
UCSD, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Black Like Water |
$150,000 |
Un Mar de Colores |
$150,000 |
Via International Inc. |
$90,000 |
Viet Voices |
$126,000 |
Villa Musica |
$77,000 |
Healing Through Arts & Nature underscores Prebys Foundation’s commitment to strengthening well-being through sustained access, shared experience, and community-centered healing. Following the support of 59 organizations in 2025, Prebys renewed funding for 47 returning grantees whose work continues to demonstrate the importance of consistent, non-clinical programs that expand access, foster belonging, and deepen impact over time.
Click here for more information about the initiative.
About Prebys Foundation
The Prebys Foundation is the largest independent private foundation in San Diego County. Dedicated to creating an inclusive, equitable, and dynamic future for all, the Foundation invests in four program areas: arts and culture, youth success, health and well-being, and medical research. Learn more at prebysfdn.org.
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