Funding empowers more than 20 community health organizations to extend care through mobile units, longer hours, and new collaboration models as federal aid declines.
SAN DIEGO, CA – The Prebys Foundation today announced over $4 million in grants to more than 20 trusted community clinics and health organizations across San Diego County — a network of organizations that serve as the region’s first line of care for tens of thousands of residents. Prebys Foundation is investing in the innovation and resilience already at work across San Diego’s community health network.
Clinics and other health-serving organizations are redesigning care through mobile health units reaching rural areas, expanding evening hours for working families, and forming referral networks that link medical care with housing, food, and behavioral health support.
“Community health organizations are the beating heart of San Diego’s care network,” said Prebys Foundation CEO Grant Oliphant. “As policy shifts and funding cuts strain the safety net, these organizations are responding with courage, ingenuity, and a deep connection to the people they serve.”
This year alone, San Diego is projected to lose nearly $16 million in Medi-Cal funding and more than $700 million in federal support for public health. As a result, community clinics and health organizations are being asked to do more with far fewer resources.
When community clinics struggle, the entire healthcare system feels the strain. Without these health organizations, more patients are forced to seek care in emergency rooms, creating ripple effects that touch every neighborhood, every hospital, and every family.
“In a time when many organizations are being called to provide more care with fewer resources, we are deeply grateful to the Prebys Foundation for investing in the future of community health,” said Kevin Mattson, President and CEO of San Ysidro Health. “Their support helps strengthen organizations like ours, allowing us to think innovatively and continue meeting the evolving needs of our communities. Localized support like this is needed now more than ever.”
“This investment underscores Prebys Foundation’s commitment to health equity — ensuring that every person, regardless of income, background, or circumstance, can access the care they deserve,” said Oliphant.
Grant beneficiaries include:
| Organization Name | Total |
|---|---|
Alliance Health Clinic |
$100,000 |
CBO Medi-Cal Coalition via Ceres Community Project |
$50,000 |
Champions for Health |
$100,000 |
Community Health Systems |
$100,000 |
Family Health Centers of San Diego |
$250,000 |
Father Joe’s Village-Village Health Center |
$250,000 |
Health Center Partners of Southern California |
$200,000 |
Indian Health Council, Inc |
$250,000 |
La Maestra Family Clinic |
$250,000 |
Neighborhood Healthcare |
$250,000 |
Operation Samahan Health |
$250,000 |
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest |
$300,000 |
San Diego American Indian Health Center |
$150,000 |
San Diego Family Care |
$250,000 |
San Diego Hunger Coalition |
$200,000 |
San Diego Wellness Collaborative |
$150,000 |
San Ysidro Health |
$250,000 |
Southern Indian Health Council |
$250,000 |
Survivors of Torture International |
$50,000 |
TrueCare |
$250,000 |
UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic Project |
$150,000 |
Vista Community Clinic |
$250,000 |
Volunteers in Medicine |
$100,000 |
Every time a clinic helps a family stay healthy, it prevents costly emergency visits and keeps the entire healthcare system more stable and affordable. This effort is part of United for San Diego, a collective initiative by the San Diego Foundation, Price Philanthropies, and the Prebys Foundation that mobilizes regional partners around a shared goal: protecting access to food, housing, and healthcare for all.
Beyond funding, Prebys is helping unite clinics and community partners in designing new models of care that reflect the strength of collaboration across the region.
While it may be some time before the full scale of these budget cuts is understood, San Diego health organizations are not waiting — they are redesigning care models, extending hours, deploying mobile units, and partnering across sectors to ensure no one is left behind. From tribal health councils and free clinics to mobile care units, these organizations share a commitment to whole-person care — addressing not only physical health but also mental, emotional, and social well-being.
“They remind us that health is about dignity and connection as much as medicine,” Oliphant added.
“At this time, there is a critical need for free healthcare. Due to the reductions in health insurance coverage, lack of job security, and increased inflation, families in San Diego County are facing financial strain. Too many must choose between healthcare and basic needs,” said Volunteers in Medicine Executive Director Sonya Caruso. “With this support, we’ll be able to increase our hours of operation, patient support services and accommodate more new patients expected in 2026.”
Meeting Today’s Urgent Need:
In the wake of unprecedented federal funding cuts to healthcare and food security programs serving low-income and vulnerable residents, San Diego faces growing risks of deepening health and wellness disparities. Changes to Medi-Cal, Medicare, and SNAP threaten to destabilize entire communities:
- One in 10 San Diegans (350,000 people) risk losing healthcare access, while one in eight already experience food insecurity.
- Instability in public funding leading to fewer billable services to cover the cost of operations, while community needs for navigating loss of coverage rise.
- Collapsing trust in institutions and safety concerns among patients and staff, deepening workforce vulnerability and accessibility of care.
Clinics and other health-serving organizations will have to evaluate their current service delivery models and create new ways to protect preventative care and treatment, to ensure access remains available to those who need it most.
San Diego’s health depends on all of us. United for San Diego invites individuals, businesses, and philanthropic partners to join this collective effort — ensuring that every community has access to the care and compassion it needs to thrive. San Diegans can donate to the San Diego Unity Fund by visiting SDFoundation.org/unity.
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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.
