San Diego’s largest foundations join forces through ‘United for San Diego’ to meet the most significant community challenge since COVID-19; call on the community to give and partners to join
SAN DIEGO, CA – September 25, 2025 – San Diego’s largest foundations – Prebys Foundation, Price Philanthropies and San Diego Foundation – together with the Price family, today announced they have formed “United for San Diego” and increased their annual giving by $70 million. The funders are coordinating their efforts to make the biggest impact, helping safeguard access to food, housing and healthcare, as historic funding cuts take effect. United for San Diego partners invited other philanthropic organizations and leaders to join them in supporting this effort during a press conference held at Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.
Underscoring Today’s Urgent Need:
- One in eight San Diegans is facing economic hardship because of unprecedented cuts to critical programs and services.
- San Diego County is bracing for the loss of more than $300 million a year in government funding – dollars that keep San Diegans fed, housed and healthy.
- More than 400,000 San Diegans risk losing access to healthcare. About 100,000 San Diegans could lose food assistance.
“San Diego’s greatest strength is the way we come together when our neighbors are at risk. United for San Diego is a promise that no one will face this crisis alone,” said Grant Oliphant, President and CEO of the Prebys Foundation. “We are committed to protecting the essentials that sustain well-being so families can weather today’s storm and, together, we can build a stronger, more united, and more resilient region for tomorrow.”
“To paraphrase a wise teaching from Jewish ethics, we are not commanded to complete the task of making our world better, but neither are we free to do nothing. Many of our fellow San Diegans will soon be facing major challenges in meeting their basic needs for food, shelter and medical care,” said Robert Price, President and CEO, Price Philanthropies. “We have made the decision to increase our charitable giving to help as many of our neighbors as possible. We hope many of you will join in this effort.”
“This is the most significant philanthropic collaboration our region has seen since the COVID-19 pandemic, and it rises to meet the greatest community need San Diego has faced since that time. United for San Diego carries the same spirit of generosity, solidarity and hope that powered our pandemic response. The San Diego Unity Fund makes it easy for everyone to step up and support neighbors who rely on these essential services, reminding us that when San Diegans come together, there is always reason for hope,” said Mark Stuart, President and CEO, San Diego Foundation.
Priorities include the following:
- Housing stability for neighbors on the edge of homelessness, helping families stay in their homes and avoid the trauma of displacement.
- Food security for families and seniors struggling to put nutritious meals on the table, ensuring no one in our community goes hungry.
- Healthcare access support for vulnerable families, connecting those without reliable coverage to critical medical care and preventive services.
Calling San Diegans to Donate to San Diego Unity Fund
Along with the foundations’ $70 million commitment in increased giving, San Diego Foundation has launched the “San Diego Unity Fund.” to enable all San Diegans to contribute to the emergency response effort.
The Unity Fund will raise and grant funds to local nonprofits providing immediate relief to those most in need, with 100% of donations going directly to trusted organizations with no administrative fees. San Diegans can donate at SDFoundation.org/Unity, with each contribution making a difference in protecting lives and stabilizing communities.
How to Apply for Funding
Nonprofits can subscribe for updates to be the first to learn about the San Diego Unity Fund grant application process. Unity Fund grants will be made on a rolling basis. Unity Fund does not grant directly to individuals. Details coming soon.
Who is eligible to apply for funding?
Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored projects that serve residents of San Diego County may apply for funding when the application is available. Alignment with at least one focus area – Housing (homeless diversion and prevention), Food Security, Healthcare Access – is required. Unity Fund does not grant directly to individuals.
###
About United for San Diego
One of the largest collaborative philanthropic efforts in San Diego history, United for San Diego represents an unprecedented partnership among three of San Diego’s largest foundations – Prebys Foundation, Price Philanthropies and San Diego Foundation – and the Price family. In response to deep cuts to publicly funded safety-net programs, the partners have increased their combined annual giving by $70 million and are coordinating efforts to safeguard access to food, housing and healthcare for families in need. With San Diego County bracing for the loss of at least $300 million a year in government funding that affects more than 400,000 San Diegans, the San Diego Unity Fund at San Diego Foundation provides the opportunity for everyone to contribute to protecting lives and stabilizing communities, with no administrative fees, ensuring every dollar goes directly to nonprofits providing housing stability, food security and healthcare access.
