The San Diego Foundation Expands North County Services
New endowment announced shows continued growth of Endow San Diego
San Diego, CA, January 18, 2006 – The San Diego Foundation, a nonprofit, community-based organization focused on improving the quality of life in San Diego through responsible and effective philanthropy, announced today the opening of its Solana Beach office and the addition of four new staff members to serve North County.
The Foundation also announced the Rancho Coastal Humane Society Witmer Animal Care Fund, established by the late Renata Witmer through an estate gift of $200,000. Ms. Witmer, who was born in Germany and lived there during the war, came to the United States to start a family. She lived a simple life as a homemaker, caring for her only child. Ms. Witmer had an undying passion for animals, which led her to set up this mid-size endowment to support the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, a center that carries the same love and adoration of animals as she did.
The San Diego Foundation’s Endow San Diego initiative is clearly showing significant growth in its first three months, recruiting 185 nonprofit organizations to its Endow San Diego Nonprofit Partnership Program, including 76 located in the North County. The Endow San Diego Nonprofit Partnership Program is designed to empower nonprofit agencies, which are most often constrained by limited budgets, with educational materials to reach out to their respective communities and build awareness about endowments.
“As San Diego’s community foundation, it is essential for us to be present in the communities throughout the region,” said Bob Kelly, CEO of The San Diego Foundation. “Endow San Diego is about serving all the communities; to do this we must also be knowledgeable of and responsive to the needs and charitable interests of San Diegans region-wide. The opening of the Solana Beach office, the leadership of our North County Civic Alliances and these four new staff members will greatly augment our ability to serve North County.”
The four new hires will play major roles in The Foundation’s North County work: John Duca, North County Coastal Regional Manager; Heather Dugdale, North County Inland Regional Manager, David Jaffer, Associate Vice President, Endowments and Planned Giving; and Sedra Shapiro, Director, Science & Technology Analysis and Strategy. The San Diego Foundation will hold a North County Professional Advisor Open House on March 16th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. to view the new office and meet the new team members.
To further extend its reach into the community, The Foundation has developed “civic alliances” that serve North County; the North County Coastal Civic Alliance and the Inland Civic Alliance, chaired by Darcy Bingham and Jack Raymond respectively. The primary purposes of these two alliances—comprised of key community leaders, supporters of leading nonprofits, and active volunteers—are to keep The Foundation in tune to the issues within those communities, advise on strategies and initiatives, and provide leadership to increase charitable giving.
BIOS of New Hires
John Duca, The Foundation’s new Regional Manager serving the North County Coastal region, holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy with a dual concentration in Development Economics and Environmental Policy from Tufts University: Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Massachusetts, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from U.C.L.A. Duca previously worked as an independent consultant in Carlsbad, writing grants and proposals for organizations. He brings a broad background in community relations to The Foundation team.
Joining The Foundation as the new Regional Manager for the North County Inland region is Heather Dugdale. Heather received her bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of the Redlands and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver’s College of Law. Before coming to The Foundation Heather served as the Executive Director at San Diego Teen Court, Inc.
David Jaffer joins The Foundation as Associate Vice President, Endowments and Planned Giving. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California and a Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School. David has extensive experience in estate and financial planning.
Coming on board as the Director, Science & Technology Analysis and Strategy at The Foundation is Sedra Shapiro. An accomplished author and active community member, Sedra has an extensive background in science and environmental studies. Before coming to The Foundation, Sedra served as the Executive Director of the San Diego State University Field Stations Programs (FSP). Sedra was a dual major at Scripps College, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Economics.
NOTE: The Foundation’s Solana Beach office is located at 420 Stephens Ave., Suite 210, Solana Beach, CA 92075. To contact the Solana Beach office, please call (760) 269-3880.
About Endow San Diego:
Endow San Diego is a regional, multi-year initiative designed to build permanent endowments for citizens and organizations committed to improving the quality of life in San Diego’s communities. This initiative unites organizations and individuals with the common goal to increase endowments in the San Diego region between now and the end of 2007. Endow San Diego – realizing the full potential of life in San Diego.
An endowment is a tool that builds long-term stability for organizations, reducing dependence on the success of annual fundraising to support programs and operations. An endowment fund preserves a charitable donation permanently. The money is invested and the earnings provide continual support for a cause or organization. To learn more about endowments and the Endow San Diego initiative, visit www.endowsandiego.org
About The San Diego Foundation:
Founded in 1975, The San Diego Foundation was created by and for the people of the San Diego region. Its purpose is to promote and increase charitable giving that is effective and responsible. The Foundation manages nearly $500 million in assets, almost half of which reside in permanent endowment funds that extend the impact of today’s gifts to future generations—continuing to make San Diego a better place to live, work and play. Since its inception, The Foundation has granted more than $400 million to nonprofits serving the community. For more information about The San Diego Foundation, visit www.sdfoundation.org or call (619) 235-2300.
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