From providing shelter and healthcare to offering job training and therapeutic childcare, the impact of this mission is undeniable. With nearly 274,000 shelter bed nights and over 300 permanent housing transitions recorded in 2024 alone, it’s a community-driven effort redefining hope. We caught up with Javier to discuss what it’s like to volunteer with the organization.

What made you want to volunteer for this organization?

Jeff Javier (JJ): I started volunteering when my wife was pregnant with our daughter in 2008. I saw a father in a busy intersection on Mira Mesa Blvd holding a sign that said he needed food for himself, his wife, and his kids. I felt terrible that he was in his situation, which made me want to help. I gave him a gift card but knew that wasn’t the solution. So that’s when I contacted Father Joe’s Village.

What do your volunteer duties entail?

JJ: I greet and welcome each guest, serve food at my assigned table, clean up after the guests, hand out drinks, and improve a stranger’s day.

Can you describe your favorite or most memorable experience while volunteering?

JJ: My most memorable volunteering experience happened at a July 4 special meal. There was a large group of military volunteers. I immediately recognized one of the women as a former fifth grade student of mine whom I hadn’t seen in maybe 15 years. We exchanged life updates, and I expressed my congratulations on her life path.

Any advice for someone considering volunteering as a way to get involved with their community?

JJ: My advice is to sign up and experience the feeling of helping hundreds of strangers have a better day. The appreciation the guests give in return is priceless.

The post Volunteer Diaries: Father Joe’s Villages appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The worst wildfire in Los Angeles County’s history is still raging after days of destruction. Over 40,000 acres have burned across Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst, reducing thousands of structures–businesses, homes, schools–to rubble. 150,000 people are still under evacuation order. Our SoCal neighbors need our help.

Here’s what you can do to support people and pets affected by the LA fires. We’ll continue to update this list as more info comes in. Email us at [email protected] if you know of additional opportunities to donate or volunteer.

Where to Donate Financially

• Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is distributing critical equipment and supplies, like hydration backpacks and emergency fire shelters, to Los Angeles Fire Department workers.
  • Donate Here
• California Fire Foundation works with local fire agencies and organizations to provide immediate and ongoing financial assistance to people affected by the fires, including firefighters and their families.
  • Donate Here
• American Red Cross disaster teams have mobilized to provide safe shelter, food, emotional support, and other relief services to wildfire victims. American Red Cross is also transporting supplies like cots, blankets, and water to emergency shelters.
  • Donate Here
• The Salvation Army is on the ground operating emergency shelters, distributing food, and addressing other immediate needs for people affected by the fires, including firefighters and first responders.
  • Donate Here
• Direct Relief is distributing N95s, medicine, and medical supplies to healthcare workers and impacted communities.
  • Donate Here
• GlobalGiving’s California Wildfire Relief Fund supports vetted nonprofits that provide food, water, and shelter to affected people and animals.
  • Donate Here
• California Community Foundation focuses on long-term recovery efforts that help underserved communities rebuild.
  • Donate Here
• GoFundMe created a centralized hub where you can find verified fundraisers related to the wildfires.
  • Donate here
• Baby2Baby is distributing diapers, food, formula, and personal care items to families impacted by the fires.
  • Donate Here
• Pasadena Humane is assisting with animal evacuations and providing shelter for hundreds of pets.
  • Support their work here or shop their Amazon wish list here
• World Central Kitchen is working with restaurant and food truck partners to distribute meals to first responders and impacted families.
  • Donate Here
• LA Animal Services is now over capacity and needs support to help more displaced pets.
  • Donate Here
• This Is About Humanity is matching donations up to $50,000 to support migrant farm workers, day laborers, and other essential workers affected by the Los Angeles fires.
  • Donate Here
• Project Hope is on the ground assessing conditions in shelters and will work with government officials and local organizations to support shelters, health workers, and marginalized communities, filling in gaps related to housing and mental health needs.
  • Donate Here

Before you give, consider looking up the organization on charitynavigator.org, which rates the legitimacy of nonprofits.

Where to Volunteer or Donate Supplies

Organizations in San Diego

• Donate blood. Blood banks in affected areas have closed, and regular donors in Los Angeles can’t give. You can help replenish SoCal’s supply by giving blood at San Diego Blood Bank, which serves hospitals in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties.
• Foster an animal. San Diego Humane Society has helped Pasadena Humane with evacuation efforts, and transported dozens of displaced pets to San Diego. SDHS needs the community’s help to keep shelter space clear. If you can foster a dog or cat, visit sdhumane.org/foster. Bunny World Foundation is also looking for temporary foster homes for bunnies. Email [email protected] if you can foster, or shop their Amazon wish list here.
• Donate food. Feeding San Diego is transporting truckloads of food to LA over the next few weeks. Biggest needs are packaged and shelf-stable snacks, non-perishables, and ready-to eat-meals. Drop off at Feeding San Diego in Sorrento Valley (9477 Waples St. Ste. 100 San Diego, CA 92121), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also donate funds to Feeding San Diego to help purchase essential items and fill the trucks. More information here.
• Donate supplies. Rock Church Point Loma is collecting water, baby supplies, blankets, protein bars, and more to distribute to affected families and first responders. Donations will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Monday, January 13. Get more information here.
• Donate supplies. Submerge Church OB is accepting donations on Sunday, January 19 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. They’re looking for bottled water, dry goods, clothing and N95 masks. More information here.
• Donate supplies, or volunteer to help sort them. ICA San Diego / North’s donation drive has concluded and three trucks filled with supplies and food are en route to LA.
• Donate supplies, or help transport them. Pick and Dump Junk Removal and Crisan Junk Removal has also concluded their donation drive after filling multiple trucks.
• Donate supplies. Whiskey & Leather is accepting clothing for kids, women, and men, but the greatest needs are kids’ toys and diapers. More information here.
• Donate supplies. Puppies & Golf is accepting donations for both people and pets, including new/like new blankets and towels and pet food and supplies. Monday is the last day to donate. More information here.
• Donate pet supplies. Freddie’s Place Animal Hospital, in partnership with Frontwave Arena and the San Diego Sockers, is collecting donations on behalf of animal welfare organizations that are assisting displaced and injured animals. Needs include towels and blankets, water bowls, pet food (dry and canned), pet beds, treats, and toys. Drop off at Frontwave Arena from January 13 to 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; during San Diego Sockers games on Wednesday, January 15 and Friday, January 17 from 4 to 7 p.m.; and at Freddie’s Place Animal Hospital in Vista, Monday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. More information here.
• Donate pet supplies. San Diego Humane Society–which has taken in animals from LA–accepts supplies at any of their campuses from Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The most helpful items to donate to the San Diego Humane Society are:
  • Shelf-stable pet food (new bags and cans, or opened bags in the original packaging)
  • New pet supplies (collars, litter, pee pads, flea medication, beds, brushes, treats, toys, etc.)
  • New or gently used blankets, pillowcases, flat sheets, towels (washed with no holes or stains)
  • New or gently used X-pens or crates
  • Clean and gently used fur items (coats, shawls, etc.)
  • Cardboard box tops or trays (repurposed for disposable litter boxes)
  • Newspapers
  • Items from the organization’s Amazon or Chewy wish lists 
• Donate toys. Callie is accepting new or gently used stuffed animals to give to kids affected by the fires. Drop off at the donation bin by the host stand.
  • More information here.

Organizations in Los Angeles

• The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is accepting food donations at its two distribution centers.
  • More Information Here
• The Dream Center is in need of in-person volunteers to help receive and distribute supplies, prep hot meals, sort clothes, and more.
  • More Information Here

San Diego Businesses Offering Free Meals & Fundraising Specials

• MUNICIPAL Oceanside is offering free coffee, drinks, pastries and gear for anyone affected by the LA fires
• Amalfi Cucina Italiana’s three locations (San Marcos, Carmel Valley, and Oceanside) are offering impacted Los Angeles residents two free pizzas (pepperoni or margarita) and a tray of pasta (marinara or meat). Proof of Los Angeles residence is required. The restaurant asks eligible customers to call ahead due to demand.
• Tribute Pizza is donating 100 percent of proceeds for their “Bobby Green for Kevin” pizza to those affected by the fires. Half of proceeds will be going directly to Side Pie which was destroyed by the Eaton Fire and the other half will be donated to the California Fire Foundation’s Wildfire & Disaster Relief Fund.

Places Offering Shelter Assistance

• The San Diego Tourism Authority has compiled a list of hotels that are offering discounted rates for people affected by the fires. See the full list here, and check back; it’ll be regularly updated.
• Love Living Management is also providing discounts on furnished housing in San Diego County.

How to Stay Informed and Prepare for Wildfires

• Download Watch Duty to stay up-to-date on nearby fires and evacuation notices.
• Download SD Emergency to get San Diego-specific emergency notifications.
• Memorize The 6 P’s of Fire Evacuation: What to Prioritize in the Event of a Fire.
  • People and pets
  • Papers, phone numbers, and important documents
  • Prescriptions, vitamins, and eyeglasses
  • Pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia
  • Personal computer hard drive and disk
  • Plastic (credit/debit cards) and cash 

Source:  Los Angeles Fire Department

The post How San Diegans Can Support Los Angeles Fire Relief Efforts appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

January 4

Help keep San Diego’s watersheds clean with I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego. This litter cleanup runs from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and helps prevent pollution from reaching the Pacific Ocean.

Watershed Warriors: Fallbrook Library Cleanup

January 11

Same mission, different location. Join the litter cleanup in Fallbrook from 9:00 am to 11:00 am to protect local ecosystems.

November 12, 2024

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San Diego Resolution Run 5K, 10K, Half Marathon

January 11

Volunteer at Tecolote Shores in Mission Bay Park to support runners and event logistics during this annual fitness tradition.

Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K

January 19

Celebrate the San Diego Foundation’s 50th anniversary—which SDF will be celebrating with different events throughout 2025—by volunteering at this iconic event in Carlsbad.

37th Annual All Peoples Celebration

January 20

Hosted by Alliance San Diego, this inspiring event honors community diversity and social justice with opportunities to get involved.

Rain Barrel Workshop and Distribution

January 25

Learn about water harvesting with the Solana Center at the North Clairemont Recreation Center and take home a rain barrel for sustainable water use.

WeAllCount Point-in-Time Homeless Census

January 30

Volunteer to collect vital data on homelessness across San Diego County, supporting the County’s resource allocation and services.

The Next 45: Building a Sustainable Legacy

January 30

Celebrate 45 years of the San Diego Diplomacy Council with an evening focused on global connection and peacebuilding, featuring young leaders from Kiribati.

The post 8 San Diego Nonprofit Events to Attend This January appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

More recently, the San Diego Bicycle Collective has joined the effort—not just to lend a hand but to explore how their unique mission can weave into this critical service.

Rather than popping up singularly to solve a specific need, grassroots organizations are increasingly banding together to provide a more holistic care network that almost mimics the function of governments. The goal is to provide vital resources by welcoming new service providers while honoring and building upon the work of long-standing community organizations. More hands make lighter work, yes— but also serve a more comprehensive, efficient, and effective approach. This is where the IAMBK and San Diego Bicycle Collective collaboration comes in. 

On the surface, food distribution and bicycle repair might seem like disparate endeavors. But together, they represent a broader vision of community resilience focused on providing vital services in tandem, like food and transportation.

“We’ve been doing this since the start of the pandemic,” says Abdul Waliullah Muhammad of IAMBK, which he founded in 2005. As one of San Diego’s designated super pantries during the pandemic, IAMBK built its reputation as a reliable source of aid.

“[This food distribution] started in 2020 as a response to the immediate crisis, but the need has stayed. We’re serving 350 drive-ups and about 100 walk-ups weekly,” he adds. 

Initially based at the Jacobs Center, this distribution moved to its current site on Market Street two years ago. The food program, powered by a network of dedicated volunteers—including Muhammad’s wife, Waliyyah—remains a vital resource for the community, but Muhammad envisions its future transformation. “We’re planning to develop 65 units of affordable housing on this property,” he says, noting that construction is expected to begin next year and will eclipse much of the space we are standing in. “The site will change, but our mission won’t. We’ll adapt and keep serving.”

The San Diego Bicycle Collective is joining this care ecosystem, led by its founder, Juca Favela. Raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Favela knows firsthand how life-changing access to transportation can be. Growing up among the city’s poorest, he couldn’t afford a bike of his own.

A neighbor, noticing his talent for BMX riding, lent him shoes and gear, launching a career that saw him win five national titles and had him competing in the X Games. His competition career led to a sponsorship that changed his life, bringing him permanently to San Diego. That was decades ago. Today, he is the founder of and spends the majority of his time volunteering for San Diego Bicycle Collective while doing other community organizing, partnering with I Am My Brother’s Keeper, Pokéz Mexican Restaurant, Alliance For African Assistance, Gear Hugger, Grind2Gether, Linda Vista Farmers Market, and more.

“I went from not owning a bike to competing globally,” Favela says. “It opened doors I never imagined.” That conclusion fuels his work today—believing that a bicycle could catalyze someone else’s transformation. While not everyone is destined for the X Games, Favela’s mission underscores a profound truth: something as simple as reliable transportation, often taken for granted, can be key to allowing someone to live well and efficiently, possibly changing the trajectory of their life.

The San Diego Bicycle Collective, which is 100 percent volunteer-run and operates primarily on donations, refurbishes bikes, then donating them to underserved people and communities, or selling them at a steep discount. The collective also teaches repair skills, ideally creating a ripple effect of empowerment, access, and ability. “A bike is more than transportation—it’s independence, it’s opportunity,” Favela says.

For now, the San Diego Bicycle Collective role at the Tuesday Encanto distribution is simple: show up and help. But Favela dreams of integrating its repair and donation programs into the food distribution effort. Ideally, down the line, people can get their bike repaired or learn how to do it themselves, or even walk away with a brand new bike. They’d also be able to donate. “Right now, we’re just supporting what’s already working,” he says, referring to food distribution. “In the future, we’d love to expand our services here. It’s about being good partners and neighbors.”

Muhammad sees the San Diego Bicycle Collective’s potential as a perfect complement to the work already underway. “Partnerships like this make us stronger,” he says. “It’s not just about handing out food—it’s about meeting people where they are and finding creative ways to address their needs.”

The collaboration embodies a spirit of shared purpose that runs deep in Encanto and is the preferred modus operandi of locals engaged in community work. As Muhammad puts it: “This work is about more than food. It’s about showing up for our neighbors. When we come together, we make real change happen.”

Favela echoes that sentiment. “Whether it’s a meal or a bike, what we’re really giving is hope,” he says. “And that’s something everyone deserves.”

The post SD Grassroots Orgs Partner on Providing a Holistic Care Network appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Event chairs Maria Stanley and Laura Applegate, alongside their families, spearheaded the day, with support from Dr. Howard and Barbara Milstein as Honorary Chairs. This festive blend of philanthropy and glamour showcased San Diego’s commitment to community impact, all benefiting The Arc’s life-changing programs. See the pics below.

Photos Courtesy of The Arc of San Diego

The post Photos: Arc of San Diego’s 2024 Winter Wonderland Fashion Show appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The Big Picture

13,172

Number of nonprofits (registered 501(c)(3) charities) in San Diego in 2022

$28.1B

Total combined revenue of all nonprofits

$47.6B

Total combined assets of all nonprofits

106,178

Total number of San Diego nonprofit employees in 2023

$7B

Total combined wages earned by nonprofit employees

How San Diegans Gave Back

44%

Percentage of households that donated (Q2 2024)

41%

Percentage of households that volunteered (Q2 2024)

November 12, 2024

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Top Causes San Diegans Donated To

38%

Food Banks/Pantries

29%

Animal-Related Zoos & Wildlife

29%

Religious Organizations

21%

Veteran Support

16%

Housing & Shelter

15%

Health Clinics & Hospitals

14%

Medical Research

13%

Arts & Culture

12%

Environment

12%

Neighborhood Associations

Public Confidence

San Diegans rank nonprofits higher than other sectors for addressing community needs:

81%

Nonprofits

67%

Corporations

56%

Government

Source: 2024 State Of Nonprofits And Philanthropy Report, University Of San Diego

The post By the Numbers: What San Diegans Donated in 2024 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

It’s 74 degrees out, the sun is shining, and the 54-year-old is pushing through bumper-to-bumper traffic on the 8 freeway at 5 o’clock on a Tuesday evening. But she’s not going to Ocean Beach for a last minute dip. No, she’s headed in the opposite direction—to an overgrown strip on the outskirts of the Admiral Baker Golf Course that’s peppered with broken beer bottles and tents.

The reason? One of her wireless cameras picked up footage of a dog that she’s been tracking. Fry runs A Way Home for Dogs, a charity dedicated to finding lost pets for free, so this is equivalent to her Bat Signal—or Babs Signal. She has to go inspect the area, personal safety be damned.

“The jolt for me is when the hunt is on. You get a sighting, and we’re in the game. Let’s go,” Fry says. “This is life or death.”

And for Fry, it is her life. She’s been helping San Diegans reunite with their pets, day in and day out, for the last 10 years. Each month, Fry helps locate “dozens” of pets, according to her estimate.

Today, she’s already driven from her home in East County to La Jolla, then to Fiesta Island, before heading toward the golf course. A half dozen dog leashes, hanging from her rearview mirror like rosaries, and a moderate amount of fur accessorize her GMC Yukon. She herself is dressed in a black t-shirt reading “Dog Rescue in Progress.”

She says the long drives don’t faze her; this is just another afternoon on the job.

“I don’t take days off,” Fry adds. “Dogs don’t take days off.”

July 2, 2024

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As Fry maneuvers through traffic, the radio is muted. Listening to music would be futile, because her iPhone rings every other minute with texts and calls from owners looking for help. One woman who reaches Fry is frantic, asking for pointers on the best gameplan to find her four-pound Pomeranian, who escaped from her house earlier that day.

“There are so many coyotes around here,” the woman says anxiously.

“Are you talking to Babs?” a friend of hers asks faintly in the background—proof of the local fame Fry has garnered as a “pet recovery specialist.” (Fry, beyond helping locals find their companions, has assisted owners as far away as Shanghai.)

Fry tells the woman to keep calm and follow her directions. Her first piece of advice is one that many owners find counterintuitive: “I would not be out actively looking for your dog,” Fry says. “The biggest mistake people make is they go off racing for their dog. And their dog is looking for them, and now they’re spreading their smell everywhere.”

That creates confusion for the pup, Fry continues, and extends the time they’re lost. The odds a dog returns home, Fry says later, are “directionally proportional to people staying the fuck out of the way.” The second step, she tells the woman, is to put an old sock in her front yard, because her dog will be acutely familiar with the scent. Fry asks the woman to contact her soon with any updates—and adds that she doesn’t need to worry about bothering her, because she’s available 24/7.

Fry says she learned these lessons the hard way a decade ago, when one of her dogs went missing for 10 days. “For a day and a half, I was an idiot,” she recalls. “I chased my dog, I searched for my dog, I did everything wrong.” After receiving input from Mike Noon, who runs a dog-finding service called CatchingPaws that assists owners in the greater Los Angeles area, Fry discovered her lost pup—and her calling in life.

A recovering alcoholic with 17 years of sobriety under her belt, Fry had previously worked in finance. That was nowhere near as rewarding as tracking down lost pets, though, she says. Fry—who had a hysterectomy in her 20s, barring her from having children with her Navy vet husband—feels that the dogs are more like kids than animals to her.

“When you get clean and sober, at the end of the day, you need purpose,” Fry says. “For me, this work and my dogs are sometimes the only reason I get up in the morning. They give me a reason to live. They remind me of unconditional love.”

After ending her call with the Pomeranian owner, Fry admits she’s reluctant to share “the recipe” for finding dogs in a magazine. Her concern is people will merely follow what they read, rather than reach out to her. And that’s a problem, she says, because there is no set playbook for locating a lost pup.

“This is a dance. The dog is picking a card, and I’m the dance instructor,” Fry continues. “And until your dog pulls that card, we don’t know whether we’re doing the waltz, the tango, or whatever.”

When Fry pulls up to the golf course, she’s ready to roll.

She jumps out of her truck, grabs a bag with supplies out of the back, and makes a beeline for her camera. It’s wrapped around a tree, pointing toward a large cage that she uses to trap lost dogs. Altogether, Fry has about 20 cameras—which run between $150 and $500 each—that she monitors via several iPhone apps. The dog she’s tracking is nowhere in sight, so Fry fills the cage with pieces of rotisserie chicken and summer sausage, then sprays the plants nearby with chicken broth and liquid smoke, to try and lure it back later. Before leaving, she marches up to the door of several RVs that are parked nearby, seeking intel.

Earlier in the day, at Fiesta Island, Fry looked like Napoleon scanning a battlefield. She squinted toward the sun, hands on her hips, and directed Michelle Jones, a 43-year-old nurse, as she searched for a missing cat. (Fry helps cat owners, too.) Jones knew to turn to Fry because she’d already used her guidance to find a lost dog.

“She’s incredible,” Jones says. “She takes into account patterns, where the dog has been, and what kind of personality it has. She’s savant-ish.”

Jones says that’s why she recently contributed $500 to Fry’s operation. A Way Home for Dogs is a 501(c)(3) that runs on donations—and Fry’s own savings, occasionally. Fry says the organization requires several thousand dollars a month to operate, with the bulk of that money going toward digital cameras, SIM cards, cages, gas, and food to lure in lost animals.

But Fry explains that Jones’ largess is the exception, not the rule.

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“I get yelled at for free every day,” Fry says. “It’s amazing when you do things for free, how people can be. But I am reminded there are some amazing human beings in the world.”

Fry explains she’s balked at turning her operation into a for-profit business for one reason: She doesn’t want money to be the deciding factor for whether people call her or not.

After coming up empty for answers at the golf course, Fry hops back into her Yukon and heads for downtown. Her next mission: scout for a lost dog that’d caused an accident on the 5 freeway. If she’s lucky, she’ll make it back home, where she runs a rescue shelter with 80 dogs, at around 10 p.m. That might give her just enough time to watch an episode of 90 Day Fiancé, she says, before hitting the road again tomorrow morning.

“I’m convinced God put this in my journey because he knows my people skills still need some fine-tuning,” Fry says. “But I don’t do it for people—I do it for the dogs.”

The post Meet San Diego’s Renowned Pet Detective, Babs Fry appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Little did the Radys realize that, within a few decades, it would be impossible to live in San Diego without knowing their name.

Rady founded his primary business, American Assets, Inc., in 1967. The real estate company grew substantially over the years, eventually going public in 2011 as American Assets Trust. In 1971, Rady launched the Insurance Company of the West. The success of those businesses has allowed him to offer changemaking contributions to some of the biggest medical, educational, and cultural institutions in town.

UC San Diego’s graduate business school bears Rady’s name, as does the now-iconic, shell-shaped, open-air music venue operated by the San Diego Symphony at the Embarcadero.

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park broke ground in September 2019 and opened in August 2021, so most of the construction took place in the throes of the pandemic. San Diego Symphony CEO Martha Gilmer recalls staring out at the build site with Rady, contemplating the future in an era when so much was uncertain. “Standing next to him on those occasions, I felt his great humanity and that this was something that was making him optimistic about emerging from that time,” she says. “If you look at Ernest’s great contributions around our city, they are human-based.”

Rady himself would prefer everyone focused on other humans—not him. “You know, if I had my druthers, I’d just as soon be less prominent and visible,” he says.

For him, it’s all about Rady Children’s Hospital.

Rady ended up on the hospital’s board in the ’80s because he owed a building-related debt to Tom Carter, who, at the time, was the chief loan officer at Great American Bank. Carter, whose son was born with a hearing impairment, was active with the children’s hospital.

“Tom took me out for lunch one day and said, ‘You want to be on the board of the children’s hospital?’” Rady recalls. “And I said, ‘Okay.’ I owed them so much money that it wasn’t really optional.”

A few years later, the then-chairman told Rady it was his turn to step up. He began his tenure as chairman of the board of the hospital, serving from 1990 to 1993.

“I had other opportunities which would have been less costly than my involvement with what is now Rady Children’s, but foolishly, I chose the hospital,” Rady jokes.

During his tenure on the board, he recruited other members and supported the hospital’s leaders. Since he stepped down more than 20 years ago, “they’ve done fantastic without me,” Rady says. “I tell them, ‘You didn’t really need me, and you probably didn’t even want me.’ If I’m anything in this environment, I’m a cheerleader.”

His cheerleading has included major financial gifts.

After Rady and Evelyn announced a $60 million contribution in 2006 that helped pay for a massive expansion of the institution’s treatment capacity, the hospital was renamed for the family. That donation has since been dwarfed by the Radys themselves, more than once.

A second gift of $120 million in 2014 became the seed money for the Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine, designed to help the hospital tailor treatment to each patient’s DNA and research the genetic underpinnings of common childhood diseases.

Then, in 2019, the Radys made the single biggest donation in the hospital’s history—$200 million—to redevelop and expand its facilities. In August of last year, the hospital broke ground on a new, seven story tower. Projected to open in 2028, it will house 140 intensive care beds and four operating rooms, doubling the size of the emergency department. The building will also include three dedicated intensive care units.

The project is slated to cost around $1.2 billion, and Rady Children’s CEO Dr. Patrick Frias says Rady’s donation made it possible for them to raise the other funds needed for the massive undertaking.

“He’s someone who has been innovative in his career and life, and he likes to hear about the opportunities to innovate,” Frias adds. “But he also wants to support things that we need and not just bright shiny objects.”

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Rady insists that writing the check is the easy part.

“I get gratitude from people whose children have been served, and I tell them, ‘Don’t thank me. Thank the people at the hospital who do all the work,’” he continues. “I’m grateful to have my name associated with this magnificent institution that is the children’s hospital, even though I deserve very little of any credit.”

Rady also emphasizes that everyone in the community has a responsibility to give back—and that you don’t need wealth to make a difference. “This isn’t only about money,” he says. “They have, I don’t know, 500 or 1,000 volunteers at Rady Children’s. Some people provide service animals to come and amuse the children. There are all kinds of things that people can do and, frankly, that require a lot more effort than what I do.”

Rady’s primary emotion is gratitude—that he lives in San Diego; that his health has allowed him to continue working and giving back; that he has his wife of 64 years, three children, and five grandchildren.

“You know, people have to find a vocation, a hobby, an interest that gives them satisfaction,” he says. “Those who have [resources] ought to feel that they should be a part of the community and do what they can.”

According to Frias, the hospital and many other nonprofits in San Diego are only able to provide comprehensive assistance and services to the community because individuals like the Radys contribute to their causes. Gilmer agrees.

“If you’re going to get anything like a hospital built or create a performance space, or if you’re going to invest in infrastructure to support better living conditions for people, it doesn’t just happen with earned revenue or government subsidies,” she says. “It doesn’t happen without individuals. Without philanthropy, we wouldn’t have the city we have. There are some incredibly generous people in this city, and Ernest and Evelyn are some of them, as quietly as they want to do it.”

The post The (Not So) Secret Work of Billionaire Philanthropist Ernest Rady appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Real estate moguls Matthew and Iris Strauss purchased the 6,000-square-foot dwelling, situated directly next door to their own art-filled private residence, in 1999. “We more or less took it down to the base, with an eye toward turning it into an art gallery,” Iris says. Ever since, it’s held the Strauss Family Foundation, a contemporary art collection that steadily expanded with the Strausses’ trips to Miami’s Art Basel, the Venice Biennale, and other renowned art fairs. Today, the collection is valued at approximately $20 million, according to the family.

But, soon, all that art will move to a new home: In October 2023, the Strauss family donated the entire collection to UC San Diego. They also gave the foundation house, which will be sold to create an endowment fund for the art’s maintenance. UCSD, in turn, is building a museum as part of the incoming Triton Center, a new central campus hub that will also include an alumni building. Named The Strauss, the arts space is slated to open in fall 2026.

It’s a natural progression of the Strausses’ longtime vision. “Mom and Dad always felt it was very important that the art be seen by the public,” says the couple’s son, Steven Strauss.

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The foundation offered 12 to 15 pre-booked tours a year. Matthew, who passed away in August 2024 at the age of 91, particularly enjoyed welcoming student visitors and often led tours himself. “He loved it when they would come in with their phones and then, after a few minutes, they would put their phone away, and they’d start looking at the art and they’d start asking questions,” Steven remembers.

The family has also been deeply involved with UCSD for years. After their two daughters passed away from cancer, Matthew and Iris became leaders at UC San Diego Health, donating significant funds to research a cancer vaccine and establishing the Iris and Matthew Strauss Center for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer. Steven and his wife funded the new Steven Strauss and Lise Wilson Cardiomyopathy Center in 2021. However, they dreamed of doing more for the campus’s arts scene, as well.

“[Matthew] used to say, ‘Every great institution has a museum,’” Iris recalls. “‘You look at Yale, you look at Harvard, you look at Stanford—they all have an art museum. We should have one here [at UCSD], too.’”

The museum’s presence on campus will offer students increased opportunities to do what Matthew didn’t: get into art in their youth.

“My husband never really knew anything about art, and he was never that interested. He was too busy being a businessman,” Iris says of the early days of their marriage. “I was an art major in school, so I knew something. Once we got the house [in the 1980s], we started looking at the walls. We said, ‘We need art. It’s empty.’”

They began by hiring an art consultant, but within two months, Matthew’s curiosity had grown. The couple elected to handle acquisition themselves. “We decided we wanted art of our time,” Iris adds. They began attending art fairs and then became involved with the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla.

“Once we joined the museum, we really got going,” Iris says. “The director at that time was Hugh Davies, and he had arranged a trip for collectors to go to Documenta in Germany, which was and is one of the greatest art shows ever. We signed up—our kids were grown and married, our grandchildren in college, so we went and we made friends there.” Among them were Irwin Jacobs and his late wife Joan, who became Iris’ best friend. “We really saw art,” Iris continues. “Oh, boy, we saw great art, and that really was it.”

By 2009, ArtNews Magazine named the couple among the world’s top 200 collectors. Matthew eventually wrote a 600-page almanac documenting more than 860 major artists of the last 800 years. But he maintained an interest in up-and-coming, boundary-pushing creatives, as well.

“He wouldn’t just look for the most pleasing pieces, but pieces that he thought were unique, the best work of the artist, maybe challenging,” Steven says. When the Strausses began separating the foundation collection from their personal one, those edgier, younger works became the focus of the former.

New acquisitions, commissions, and exhibitions at The Strauss museum will share that polestar. “It’s really where contemporary art will meet technology,” says Jess Berlanga Taylor, director and curator of UCSD’s Stuart Collection. She’s leading the creation of The Strauss. “We’re also asking ourselves what the future of art is through our programs. We’ll be presenting immersive environments. We’ll be working with augmented realities and VR and AI and everything that digital artists are doing nowadays.”

She wants the museum to be a “portal”—to a place both familiar and transformative. “Most museums are still based on the 18th-century tradition in which art is in one place, and life happens elsewhere. That is something that doesn’t work for our societies nowadays. So we’re really looking at creating a space where it’s truly social, and you’re surrounded by art,” Taylor says. “We’re hoping that, because of one of our exhibitions, you suddenly feel connected to something much bigger than yourself.”

For her part, Iris’ dream is to drive a new generation of art lovers. “I hope that [visiting The Strauss] enhances their way of thinking, or perhaps even their life, because art just does that for you,” she says. “It would be very empty to live without it.”

The foundation house—mostly devoid of furniture but nearly bursting at the seams with color and history—is proof.

The post New UCSD Museum Will Feature the Strauss Foundation’s $20M Collection appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

December 1

Join Impulse San Diego for the Red Ribbon Gala in honor of World AIDS Day 2024. Hosted by drag queen Chad Michaels, the evening is dedicated to reducing AIDS-related stigma, honoring those lost and living with HIV, and committing to ending the HIV epidemic. Enjoy live music, auctions, and gourmet dining, with all proceeds benefiting POZabilities.

Bucket Blitz by The Salvation Army 

December 3

The Salvation Army will host a fundraising event on December 3 with the goal of raising $10,000 to support their programs. Volunteers can participate in a festive drive featuring activities and performances by the Salvation Army Brass Band. The morning event will take place at Peterson’s Donut Corner in Escondido, with an afternoon event from 12 to 6 p.m. at Belmont Park in Mission Beach.

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Jingle and Mingle 

Dec 5

The Jingle and Mingle event on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club brings the community together to support the Community Resource Center. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., enjoy an evening of connection and purpose, raising funds to provide hope and resources for those facing hunger, homelessness, and trauma this winter.

Scripps Candlelight Ball 

December 7

Taking place on December 7 at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, this always-sold-out, Black Tie event includes cocktails, dinner, and a program to support the Scripps Health Foundation. 

Earth Day in the Garden

Dec 7

Join GroundWork San Diego for Earth Lab Day in the Garden on December 7 to explore the world of plants and sustainable gardening. Learn about planting, maintaining greenery, and removing invasive species with the help of knowledgeable volunteers. Attendees can also participate in hands-on projects to support the Earth Lab’s mission of environmental education and stewardship.

Queen Bee’s Gala 

December 12  

Celebrate community and culture at Queen Bee’s Arts and Cultural Center’s gala fundraiser: Enjoy live performances, a silent auction, and a delicious buffet while connecting with fellow supporters and artists. Proceeds will fund moving costs and the preservation of the historic building at 3925 Ohio St., ensuring Queen Bee’s remains a cherished cultural hub for years to come.

Tinsel and Tails: TAP’s Holiday Extravaganza

December 13  

Get ready to jingle with your pup! TAP (The Animal Pad) is back with its 4th Annual Tinsel & Tails Holiday Extravaganza at BRICK in Liberty Station. This free, family- and dog-friendly event is your ultimate seasonal outing. Whether you’re looking for festive fun with the kids or an excuse to show off your dog’s holiday sweater, this is the spot.

Joy Drive

December 13-16

The Joy Drive is the expansion of the OB Holiday Food and Toy Drive that aims to spread more holiday spirit throughout the community. In partnership with Love Thy Neighbor, the Ocean Beach community wants you to be a part of these joyful holiday activities where you can give back by donating, volunteering, or registering for these OB holiday events. 

Toys for Joy 

December 14

Join the 28th annual Toys for Joy event at Southwest High School on December 14 and help bring holiday cheer to thousands in need. Volunteers will distribute free toys, groceries, and more to families lacking resources, ensuring everyone feels the love and joy of the season.

The Red Nose Run

December 14

Suit up in your Santa gear and join the Red Nose Run this December for a festive 3K or 5K. Proceeds will support two local nonprofits, Semper Fi & America’s Fund and the San Dieguito River Park, making your holiday jog a gift to the community.

Faces with Purpose 7th Annual “A Lupus Christmas”

December 15

Join an enlightening panel discussion focused on raising awareness about Lupus and educating San Diego on the impact it has on those living with the condition. All proceeds from donations, sponsorships, and in-kind contributions will support Lupus Awareness initiatives and the Inspire SD Youth Winter Camp, happening December 16–19, 2024.

Ohana Holiday Run and Toy Drive 

December 21

A family-friendly 5K and 1K fun run on December 21 benefits children in need through a toy drive. The run will start and finish inside the De Anza Cove in Mission Bay.

The Salvation Army Annual Christmas Meal

December 25

This Christmas, The Salvation Army is serving warmth and hope with a holiday meal for all San Diegans in need. Volunteers are essential to make this event unforgettable, with opportunities to help prepare and pack meals, decorate, greet guests, serve, deliver meals to the homebound, and more. Can’t volunteer? Support by donating a holiday meal for a local family in need. Together, we can make the season bright for everyone.

Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade 

December 27

The downtown San Diego Bay will host the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, presented by Kaiser Permanente. This family-friendly event showcases world-class marching bands, stunning floats, energetic drill teams, and the largest collection of giant balloons in any parade. The parade kicks off with the annual Holiday Bowl 5k run/walk, and proceeds go towards helping fund economic disparity programs in the San Diego region.

The post 14 San Diego Nonprofit Events to Attend This December appeared first on San Diego Magazine.