Deadline: 3-Feb-25
Submissions are now open for the Escondido Community Foundation Grant Program.
Mission and Purpose
- The mission of Escondido Community Foundation (ECF) is to improve the quality of life in Escondido by meeting emerging needs through:
- Encouraging and increasing responsible and effective philanthropy,
- Building a community endowment,
- Providing funds annually to organizations and causes, and
- Giving the community a vehicle for legacy planning and cash gifts that will benefit the residents of Escondido annually and in perpetuity
- The vision of ECF is to inspire a culture of giving that supports, strengthens and enriches the quality of life in the Escondido community now and for generations to come.
Focus Areas
- They will accept applications for projects which will improve the social and economic well-being of seniors with emphasis on the following areas:
- Elder Fraud: Escondido seniors were defrauded of more than $15 million last year and only a small fraction of those funds was ever recovered, according to the San Diego Senior Community Foundation. Seniors are often easy targets and can be too embarrassed to report fraud to the police and family members. They invite proposals that address prevention or post-fraud assistance.
- Social Isolation: Too often seniors can find themselves increasingly alone as friends die and family members are not available. A 2016 study stated 22 percent of seniors over 65 are considered “elder orphans” because they have little to no support system. Loneliness can lead to mental health problems, cognitive decline and health issues. ECF is seeking programs that connect seniors with others, either virtually or in real life. Activities that are intergenerational are of special interest.
- Access to Basic Needs: One UCLA study showed 37 percent of seniors living alone don’t have enough money to make ends meet. They need transportation, nutritious food every day, medical care or basic home maintenance. All these things help seniors stay healthy and in their homes. ECF welcomes proposals that promote at least one aspect of improved access to basic needs. This might be a transportation program, a home share program, the delivery of items from food banks, or the addition of a community food distribution sites.
Funding Information
- ECF will accept proposals in a range of $15,000 up to $40,000.
Duration
- Grants are made for one year. This grant cycle is October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026
Eligibility Criteria
- Grants must be administered by a 501(c)3 public charity, or an organization that is fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3, a school or other government agency.
- ECF does not make grants to supporting organizations or private, non-operating foundations. ECF does not fund scholarships.
- If an organization is using a fiscal sponsor, a cooperative relationship between the two must be clearly demonstrated.
- The project must be achievable within a 12-month time frame.
- They do not award grants to individuals. Unless otherwise specified, organizations applying for grants must be located within, and primarily of service to residents of, San Diego County.
- Grants will be evaluated against the following bullet points (at a minimum):
- Have a beneficial, positive impact on Escondido
- Have ongoing verifiable, measurable and scalable outcomes
- Maximize the impact of the grant dollars
Ineligibility Criteria
- Escondido Community Foundation does not fund:
- Scholarships
- Capital or annual campaigns
- Existing obligations/debt
- Projects that promote religious or political doctrine
For more information, visit ECF.