SAN DIEGO–The San Diego Foundation has launched its Civic Leadership Fund to support The Foundation as it: identifies the critical challenges facing the San Diego community; publishes fresh research that illuminates challenges for the San Diego region; and holds public forums and platforms for informed public dialogue. In addition the Civic Leadership Fund will convene task forces to accomplish ambitious action agendas; and, most important, engage the community in a civil and progressive manner as we plan for the future of the San Diego region.
“It is within our mission to improve the quality of life in the San Diego region, and we believe that grantmaking alone will not preserve and protect what’s good and plan for the change necessary to keep the region thriving. The issues that our community and our country face today require not only grantmaking, but civic leadership,” said Bob Kelly, president and CEO of The Foundation. “In recent years, The San Diego Foundation, as well as many other community foundations throughout the country, has identified this as a core need and we are equipped to bridge the gap.”
According to Bob Kelly, President and CEO of The San Diego Foundation, the Civic Leadership Fund will enable the development of leadership and action plans to drive results in our region. The Fund will also support The Foundation’s series of popular and provocative Understanding the San Diego Region forums and reports.
“With the help of San Diego’s generous and concerned philanthropic and business community,” said Kelly, “we look to have a positive impact on affordability issues, public education, workforce development, clean water, and other challenges that are more urgent than ever as we work together to keep the San Diego Region one of the most beautiful and desirable in the world.”
Kelly explained that the Civic Leadership Fund will support numerous programs at the Center for Civic Engagement including Our Greater San Diego Vision, and other leadership activities. The Center for Civic Engagement will serve as the epicenter of civic activity where nonprofits, government agencies and businesses convene to plan the future of San Diego. “The San Diego Foundation,” said Kelly, “will house think tanks for each program so thought leaders –volunteer and staff – can conduct research and develop strategic roadmaps for our future.”
Kelly noted also that the recently-launched Our Greater San Diego Vision is a vital part of the Civic Leadership Fund. “The Vision campaign,” he said, “hopes to engage tens of thousands of San Diegans in developing a shared vision for the San Diego region to create a future that preserves and enhances what we all hold dear.”
Other civic leadership activities supported by the Fund include The San Diego Foundation Environment program that preserves and protects San Diego’s stunning, natural assets in grants that have saved more than 28,000 acres of natural lands; the Balboa Park Conservancy which, in conjunction with the Legler Benbough and the Parker Foundation, conducted critical research to plan the future of Balboa Park; Fire Pit Preservation; and the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund, a supporting organization of The San Diego Foundation, which facilitates long-term rebuilding and recovery of the San Diego community after the devastating fires of 2007.
“By joining hundreds of other civic leaders in a collective effort to improve the quality of life for all in San Diego,” said Kelly, “participants in the Civic Leadership Fund can make a difference for everyone who lives, work and plays in San Diego.”
For additional information on Civic Leadership Fund participation, contact Heather Back at The San Diego Foundation at (619) 235-2300 or email heather@sdfoundation.org.
