Our Mission

We connect and activate funders to learn, lead, and invest in our region.

Our Vision

An equitable, collaborative, and impactful social change ecosystem that improves the lives of all residents in our region.

Our Values

Grounded in community, fueled by impact

Everything we do is guided by a deep care for our region and its people. We show up as our best selves and invite others to join us.

Image Preview A smiling woman with glasses and a bun, wearing a patterned blue and white blouse, holding a microphone and gesturing during a panel discussion.

Learning

We listen first, learning from our members, field experts, and the communities we serve so our decisions stay relevant and timely.

Collaboration

We work across sectors in collaboration with community advocates and leaders to ensure our actions are coordinated, strategic, and reflective of what is needed.

A middle-aged East Asian man wearing glasses and a dark blazer smiles slightly, wearing a name tag indicating his name is Bennett, his affiliation with Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation and Qualcomm, and a lanyard, attending a conference or event.

Equity

Equity guides our vision as an organization, but it is not a destination so much as a constant evolution. We work in service of the common good, creating systems and opportunities that expand equity for everyone.

A smiling woman with long black hair, wearing a black cardigan over a pink top, and a blue lanyard around her neck, is facing towards the right with a background of blurred horizontal lines.

Future-focused

We anticipate future trends and pursue dynamic solutions to build a more vibrant region.

A smiling, middle-aged bald man in a suit jacket and glasses hanging from his shirt, talking and gesturing at an event; a name tag reads "Tomas Herrera-Mishler."

Impact

We steer investments toward initiatives that have a measurable difference in the material conditions of local communities.

Young woman with brown hair and glasses smiling, wearing a grey blazer over a white lace top, and carrying a pink purse.

Courageous Leadership

We show up boldly for what we believe in, moving with integrity and taking risks that demonstrate our conviction in our values.

Local efforts with global impact

We work with funders from local, state, and national levels who want to understand and support solutions across San Diego and Imperial Counties.

As a border region, we also partner with organizations in Baja California, Mexico to support projects that benefit all of our communities.

Stronger Together

A statewide approach

Philanthropy California is an alliance of Northern California Grantmakers, Southern California Grantmakers, and Catalyst working together to increase our impact in building and sustaining thriving, equitable communities. Our combined membership represents more than 600 funding organizations who invest billions every year to support communities worldwide.

Two men in business attire seated at a table on a stage, engaged in a conversation, gesturing with hands, with potted succulents on the table, and a backdrop of vertical fabric panels.
A young man with dark hair, wearing a light blue checked shirt and belt, holding a microphone, gesturing with his right hand as he speaks to an audience; a purple name tag is on his chest.
Woman with long brown hair wearing glasses, smiling and gesturing with her hands while holding a document during a conference or meeting.