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San Diego Foundation
San Diego Foundation launched in 1975, marshaling donor capital into a permanent endowment for the region. President & CEO Mark Stuart leads the...
San Diego Foundation
San Diego Foundation launched in 1975, marshaling donor capital into a permanent endowment for the region. President & CEO Mark Stuart leads the community-facing strategy, while CIO/CFO Matt Fettig runs the investment portfolio. A $106 million unrestricted gift from donor Jay Kahn in recent years underscored the foundation's capacity to absorb large, flexible contributions. The investment program spans public-market secondaries, distressed debt, buyout, mezzanine, and venture capital, alongside a dedicated Short Term Investment Fund 22. Real assets surface through the foundation's Charitable Real Estate Foundation portfolio and the San Diego Housing Fund, which targets mixed-use development across the county. The organization also operates a Crypto Giving Fund, converting digital-asset donations into deployable grant capital. Geographic concentration remains weighted to San Diego County, with grantmaking partnerships that include San Diego Gas & Electric. Headquartered at Liberty Station, the foundation operates with a lean executive team. Adjacent structures include the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund and the San Diego Women's Foundation, both housed under the same organizational umbrella. Mark Stuart sits on the board of the League of California Community Foundations, and the entity co-founded the 'United for San Diego' unity fund with the Prebys Foundation and Price Philanthropies. The foundation's distinctive architecture is its dual role as both a grantmaking convener and a direct real-estate investor. Unlike most community foundations that outsource all asset management, San Diego Foundation holds property-level exposure through its Charitable Real Estate Foundation, creating an internal capability set that bridges philanthropic distribution and hard-asset stewardship.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1975
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
San Diego
Corporate office
2508 Historic Decatur Rd, Ste 200, San Diego, CA 92106
Principals
Mark Stuart
President & CEO
Matt Fettig
CIO / CFO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at San Diego Foundation?
Matt Fettig serves as both Chief Investment Officer and Chief Financial Officer, overseeing the foundation's $1.8 billion portfolio. He reports to President & CEO Mark Stuart, who sets the strategic direction for the organization's community impact programs. Investment committee governance details are not publicly documented.
Does San Diego Foundation manage its own capital or outsource it?
The foundation blends internal management with external allocations. It runs a direct Charitable Real Estate Foundation portfolio and a Short Term Investment Fund 22 in-house, while public-market secondaries, private equity, distressed debt, and venture commitments are made through external managers.
What role does the Charitable Real Estate Foundation play?
The Charitable Real Estate Foundation operates as a platform for property-level investments across San Diego County, including mixed-use and residential assets. It gives the foundation direct exposure to hard assets, a feature uncommon among community foundations that typically hold only fund interests.
How are crypto donations handled at San Diego Foundation?
The foundation maintains a Crypto Giving Fund that accepts digital-asset contributions and converts them to fiat for grantmaking. This vehicle allows donors to contribute Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies while receiving the same tax treatment as traditional gifts.
What is the relationship between San Diego Foundation and the Prebys Foundation?
San Diego Foundation and the Prebys Foundation are separate entities but co-founded the 'United for San Diego' unity fund alongside Price Philanthropies. They collaborate on regional grantmaking initiatives, though each foundation maintains independent governance and investment operations.
What is San Diego Foundation's posture on co-investments alongside external managers?
While the foundation invests across venture capital, buyout, mezzanine, and distressed debt, its co-investment activity is not publicly detailed. The presence of a direct real estate arm suggests the foundation is comfortable with principal investments when the asset class aligns with internal capabilities.
Where does San Diego Foundation's capital come from?
Capital comes from individual donors, corporate partners like San Diego Gas & Electric, and major gifts such as the $106 million unrestricted contribution from Jay Kahn. The foundation pools these contributions into a permanent endowment that funds regional grants and investments.
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