When times get tough, San Diegans step up to help those in need. Even amid economic uncertainty, locals donate their time and money to nonprofit organizations and independent foundations. These stats from the University of San Diego’s 2025 State of Nonprofits and Philanthropy Report highlight the thriving giving environment in San Diego.
The Big Picture
13,261
Nonprofits/registered 501(c)(3) public charities in 2023
Home of Guiding Hands Legends Among Us: Rockin’ for a Cause Gala
May 2
Home of Guiding Hands will host its Legends Among Us: Rockin’ for a Cause Gala at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. Now in its 52nd year, the gala will honor San Diegans who have made a lasting impact for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
San Diego Humane Society Walk for Animals
May 2
Thousands of animal lovers will help the San Diego Humane Society make a difference for more than 40,000 animals in need at the 32nd annual Walk for Animals. The family- and dog-friendly event at NTC Park in Liberty Station includes a pancake breakfast, live music, and a vendor village.
Father Joe’s Villages Children’s Champions Gala & Match Challenge
May 2
Father Joe’s Villages will host its 41st annual Children’s Champions Gala & Match Challenge at the US Grant. Supporters are invited to attend the gala or make a meaningful gift to the campaign, or both, to help San Diego families move from crisis toward self-sufficiency.
Junior League of San Diego Party for a Purpose: Jewels of the Cosmos
May 2
Junior League of San Diego will host its largest annual fundraiser Party for a Purpose: Jewels of the Cosmos at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. The celestial-inspired evening will support Junior League of San Diego’s efforts to combat food insecurity across San Diego County.
St. Germaine Children’s Charity Cocktails & Conversation
May 7
St. Germaine Children’s Charity will highlight one of its grant recipients, The Chadwick Center for Children and Families at Rady Children’s Hospital, at its spring Cocktails & Conversation. The goal of the event at a private home in La Jolla is to help members better understand the impact of their donations.
ArtReach’s Golden Hour Fundraiser
May 7
ArtReach will debut a new event, Golden Hour, to showcase the talents of its young members and support its programs. The nonprofit’s Hillcrest studio will be transformed into a gallery filled with creativity, music, and community, all built around the theme Made in San Diego.
San Diego River Park Foundation River Days 5K Walk for Wildlife
May 9
Support wildlife conservation in the San Diego River Watershed at the San Diego River Park Foundation’s 2026 River Days 5K Walk for Wildlife. The walk and fun run at the Riverwalk Golf Club is family- and dog-friendly.
Arc of San Diego Annual Gala
May 16
Arc of San Diego will celebrate joie de vivre and the enchantment, wonder, and the spirit of giving that often comes with it at its 2026 Annual Gala. The elegant event at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina will benefit children and adults with disabilities served by the Arc of San Diego.
La Jolla Historical Society Secret Garden Tour
May 16
The La Jolla Historical Society will give guests exclusive access to six of La Jolla’s most extraordinary private gardens at its 27th annual Secret Garden Tour. This year, guests have the opportunity to add a “lunch and learn” experience which includes a buffet lunch at a historic site and a session with a master gardener.
St. Madeline Sophie’s Center 60th Anniversary Fundraiser
May 16
St. Madeline Sophie’s Center will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a California Dreamin’ themed fundraiser in its headquarters’ two-acre garden. Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit’s gardening and aquatics programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
McAlister Institute Miracles of Recovery Luncheon
May 19
Community leaders, advocates, and people in recovery will gather for an inspiring afternoon hosted by nonprofit substance use disorder treatment provider, the McAlister Institute. At its ninth annual Miracles of Recovery Luncheon at Coasterra, the McAlister Institute will honor those who have made an impact for individuals and families affected by substance use disorders through service, philanthropy, and advocacy.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Help give girls in underserved communities around the world access to education and mentorship at the local chapter of nonprofit U-GO’s U-GO San Diego Wine Dinner. The dinner party at Cucina 2051 in Carlsbad also includes a live auction and entertainment.
Shelter to Soldier Saving Lives, One Swing at a Time Golf Tournament
April 24
Golfers will tee off at the Singing Hills Golf Club to support Shelter to Soldier’s mission to train rescue dogs to be service dogs for local veterans. The seventh annual Saving Lives, One Swing at a Time Golf Tournament will be followed by a dinner reception and awards ceremony.
Girl Scouts San Diego will celebrate 25 years of female leadership at its annual Cool Women Celebration. The luncheon at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines will also highlight Emerging Leader Girl Scouts, teens who will have the opportunity to network with honored guests.
TERI Unplugged
April 25
Jason Mraz will headline a benefit concert to support the TERI Campus of Life and its programs and services for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. TERI Unplugged, at the San Marcos nonprofit’s Bornemann Theatre, will also feature Adin Boyer, Sara Jade, Matthew Phillips, and the TERI Band.
San Diego Nice Guys Charity Auction
April 25
Philanthropic organization San Diego Nice Guys will host its 44th annual charity auction to raise money for families in need. Items up for bid at the Mardi Gras-themed event to the Marriott Marquis San Diego may include sports memorabilia, jewelry, nights on the town, and vacation packages.
Breakthrough T1D Don’t Stop Believing Gala
April 25
The local chapter of Breakthrough T1D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) will host its 80’s-themed “Don’t Stop Believing” Gala at the Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas. The gala will support Breakthrough T1D’s mission to fund research focused on curing, preventing, and treating Type 1 diabetes.
Child abuse prevention organization Home Start will host its annual Blue Ribbon Gala at the US Grant to raise awareness of and support for its programs. The event is held every April in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Dinner on the Diamond
April 30
Guests at the fifth annual Dinner on the Diamond at Petco Park will share a meal with Padres ownership, current and former players, and coaches to benefit the Padres Foundation and its charitable partners. The exclusive dinner party will be followed by a performance by Lauryn Hill, with special guests YG Marley and Zion Marley, at Gallagher Square.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Banding Community Together: Three Nonprofits, Three Bands, One Night of Unity and Hope
March 3
OUR Arts Foundation, Community Resource Center, and Just in Time for Foster Youth are joining forces to raise money to support the transformative work they’re doing in North County. Banding Community Together: Three Nonprofits, Three Bands, One Night of Unity and Hope at Belly Up Tavern will feature performances by The Buckleys, MRCH, and 4EachOther.
Mainly Mozart Gala
March 14
Enjoy the flavors of Italy while you support the arts at the Mainly Mozart Gala at the Westgate Hotel in Downtown San Diego. Guests will enjoy a tasting menu curated by some of California’s top chefs, plus chamber music performances.
Nonprofit organization ElderHelp will honor those who support its mission to help seniors live independently at its Essence of Life Awards. The ceremony at the Southwestern Yacht Club will recognize an exceptional volunteer, client, community partner, and more.
St. Germain Children’s Charity’s Third Annual Dinner Party
March 18
St. Germain Children’s Charity will celebrate the birthday of founder Barbara Christensen at its Third Annual Dinner Party. The St. Patrick’s Day-themed festivities at Sugar and Scribe in La Jolla are open to both members and guests.
San Diego Humane Society North County Walk for Animals
March 21
Help make a difference for more than 40,000 animals at San Diego Humane Society’s Walk for Animals North County . The annual event at Kit Carson Park in Escondido includes a pancake breakfast, vendor village, live music, dog-friendly activities, and adoptable pets.
WinterFest Gala
March 25
Classical pianist Lang Lang will bring his talents to the Baker-Baum Concert Hall for La Jolla Music Society’s WinterFest Gala 2026. The elegant event will also include a live auction, seated dinner, and an afterparty.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Renewable energy companies building hundreds of power plants. Biotech startups using artificial intelligence to create personalized medicine for children with rare diseases. Hospitality companies quietly powering thousands of local events. Consumer brands growing from beach-town startups into national businesses. These are the kinds of companies driving San Diego’s economy today, and the businesses recognized at this year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards offer a snapshot of where the region is headed.
Hosted July 23 by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards event honored four local companies for innovation, growth, and economic impact. More than 100 nominations from San Diego’s middle-market businesses were reviewed by a 10-person judging committee, with winners selected across four categories: startup, early-stage innovator, rising star, and established heavyweight.
Two-time honoree Jimbo Someck, founder of Jimbo’s organic grocery stores, also joined the event for a fireside chat on buying local, supporting emerging brands, and giving back to the community.
“San Diego’s strength comes from its makers and builders—the resilient people who endure great risks and overcome obstacles to build and scale a company,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager and Middle Market Banking at JPMorganChase & Co. “These awards aren’t just recognition; they spotlight the talent, grit, and innovation shaping our region’s future. By celebrating those who create and build, we foster connections and fuel the growth that keeps San Diego thriving.”
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Building the Infrastructure Behind Clean Energy
Heavyweight honoree SOLV Energy has grown alongside the country’s rapid investment in renewable power. “It’s an exciting time for SOLV Energy as we are experiencing significant growth,” says CEO George Hershman. “The business has doubled over the last year and has almost double-digit growth since its inception.”
The Rancho Bernardo-based company designs, builds, operates, and maintains utility-scale solar and energy storage facilities. Since its founding in 2008, SOLV Energy has built more than 500 power plants.
Growth has translated directly into hiring. About 200 employees work from the company’s local headquarters, including roughly 20 interns. “Our intern program is a big part of the way that we grow our workforce,” Hershman says. “Last year, 43 percent of our interns became full-time employees. We believe San Diego is a great community to build and grow a high-tech infrastructure and technology company because of the incredible workforce—the ability to attract top talent and draw from world-class universities.”
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Developing Medicine One Patient at a Time
Startup honoree La Jolla Labs is tackling one of medicine’s biggest challenges by developing personalized RNA therapeutics for patients with rare diseases—many of them children with neurological disorders like ALS. Using proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, the biotech company develops treatments tailored to each patient’s specific genetic mutation.
CEO Tamar Grossman says the recognition reflects how far the company has come despite limited resources. “We’re honored to be recognized for our ability to change and save patients’ lives and turn our lean startup into a clinical company with very minimal resources,” she says.
Grossman credits San Diego’s concentration of research institutions—including UC San Diego, the Salk Institute, and Scripps Research—with creating a pipeline of talent and collaboration. “San Diego is one of the world-leading centers for technology, genomics, and RNA therapeutics,” she says. “We have over 30 RNA therapeutics companies here, and we support each other and help with anything related to drug discovery.”
She says that collaborative spirit extends beyond formal partnerships. “You can walk around Torrey Pines, go into a café, and find colleagues from the industry and have an ad hoc conversation,” Grossman says. “That’s something very unique to San Diego.”
While Snake Oil Venue Company may not be a household name, chances are many San Diegans have attended one of its events. The early-stage innovator honoree has expanded from beverage catering and mixology consulting into venue management, operating Julep Venue in Mission Hills, Bramble Bay Venue in Imperial Beach, Vesper Venue, the Chapel at Liberty Station, and five outdoor venues throughout Liberty Station—more than 500,000 square feet of event space altogether.
“We do a lot of launch parties for corporations and new products,” says CEO Mike Esposito. “I really like working on the entrepreneur side of things, where new businesses are entering the San Diego market and looking to make a splash.”
Snake Oil has executed more than 16,000 events, employed more than 1,000 people, and partnered with more than 900 local vendors, including caterers, florists, photographers, entertainers, and other hospitality businesses. The company also works with many of San Diego’s nonprofits, museums, and cultural institutions. “We get to celebrate people’s most important moments,” Esposito says. “Whether that’s a wedding, celebration of life, or quinceañera, we’re fortunate to be involved in the community in so many different ways.”
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Growing a Beach-Town Brand into a National Business
Rising star honoree ALOHA Collection is proof that a simple idea can grow into a thriving company. Founded by two roommates who wanted a better way to carry wet swimsuits after a day at the beach, the lifestyle brand has grown into a business while maintaining strong year-over-year growth.
Now headquartered in Carlsbad, ALOHA Collection employs more than 100 people and operates its California flagship store in Encinitas, which is slated for a remodel. With roots in Hawaii, the company is known for its lightweight, splash-proof travel bags that have become a familiar sight on beaches in San Diego and beyond.
“‘Aloha’ is part of our name, but it’s also how we move through the world,” says CEO Lynna Barnard. “It’s how we show up for people, the way we travel, the way we give back.” Since day one, the company has maintained a 5 percent giveback to Hawaii conservation efforts, contributing millions of dollars over the years.
“I think what’s so inspiring about ALOHA Collection, and the founders in particular, is when you dream big, those dreams can come true when you work hard and trust in the universe,” Barnard says. “It’s inspiring to be a role model for other people wanting to start businesses from humble beginnings. Start small and watch it grow.”
Together, businesses like these form a cornerstone of San Diego’s economy—not only through the jobs and revenue they generate—but through the local workers they hire, vendors they support, and investments they make in the region. Their growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it ripples outward, strengthening the broader business community and the people who call San Diego home.
While canids like Arctic foxes, New Guinea singing dogs, and jackals aren’t native to San Diego County, a handful have made a permanent home in Santa Ysabel. The Judith A. Bassett Canid Education & Conservation Center (JABCECC) is a safe haven for these animals and others rescued from fur farms, the exotic pet trade, research facilities, and those that cannot be released back into the wild.
JABCECC aims to educate the public about the plight of these animals and offers a variety of encounters, where guests can get up-close-and-personal with some of the animals, including a few domesticated foxes. Volunteer trainer Anita Cheesman works with the foxes to ensure they’re on their best behavior when they have visitors.
Here she details her experiences at JABCECC.
What made you want to become a volunteer for JABCECC?
My husband found out about this organization. I believe he saw an article when it was brand new and he gifted me one of its encounter sessions, where you go out there and they tell you a little bit about its mission and introduce you to some of its animals. We first got a meet-and-greet with its New Guinea singing dogs, which was pretty cool because you don’t get to see those every day. Then, we were able to go inside one of the enclosures and pet, feed, and pick up foxes and learn more about them. They mentioned that they like volunteers, so I told them that I’m a dog trainer, and if they wanted any training help, I’d be more than willing to offer my time and they jumped on it.
Courtesy of Judith A. Bassett Canid Education & Conservation Center
What do your volunteer duties entail?
I work on good manners with the young foxes, so they learn not to jump up at people or to snatch food out of their hands. Basically, [I teach] skills so that if they are going to be one of our ambassadors, which means meet the public, that they know how to safely interact with the public and with our older foxes. And I’ll work on some other things, such as little tricks. I taught a few of our foxes how to shake. They picked it up in just under an hour. They’re very smart. Then we practice things that they’re going to do at their public encounters, like being picked up and held, so that they love it and aren’t squirmy and wanting to jump out of someone’s arms. It’s a variety of things.
What do you like best about volunteering at JABCECC?
What I like best is knowing that I’m helping these animals. They’re being given a forever home and some of them may have been put down if they didn’t come here. I like helping to enrich their lives. Obviously, they have to live in enclosures; none of them are able to be set free for various reasons. So, I want to make their life as interesting as possible, and hopefully educate the public that fur farming is still practiced here in the US—we hear a lot from people that come visit us that they had no idea. They thought it was completely outlawed here. So being able to educate people so that hopefully they will advocate for the foxes and other wild animals, like our coyotes, and not see them as pests, but realize they’re an important part of our ecosystem.
Courtesy of Judith A. Bassett Canid Education & Conservation Center
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced while volunteering?
I think one of the biggest challenges for me in trying to coordinate a training program is keeping our volunteers. Everyone wants to come work with foxes, but the center is an hour from central San Diego, and you have to drive through windy mountain roads. After a while I think the novelty wears off and people just don’t want to make that drive anymore and they drop out. Another thing for me in particular that’s a challenge is that space is limited. We only have so many man hours to build new enclosures. I often will work with multiple foxes at a time, and for some of them, it’d be much better for their training to progress faster if we had individual areas. But that obviously means that we would have to build more enclosures, which means we need to find more generous donors because it’s quite expensive to build areas. We have the space for it. We just need the funding.
Can you describe your favorite or most memorable experience while volunteering?
One of my favorite things is whenever there’s an animal I haven’t seen in a while, like one of our jackals or our gray wolf, and because I bonded with them when they were babies, even if I hadn’t seen them in a year, they always remember me. And unlike being shy with new people, they’re ready to run right up to me to say hi. It’s just nice to see the bond that you can make with these animals, even though they’re wild animals. And sometimes they don’t even notice you until they catch a whiff of your smell. It’s your smell that they remember and then they totally change and become just little puddles of goo.
Any advice for someone considering volunteering as a way to give back?
For those considering the center, realize that we have a wide variety of areas where we need help. You don’t have to be an animal person. We need carpenters, grant writers, social media experts, event planners—if you have a skill, we could use it. We’re a very small organization, almost entirely volunteer run. It’s easy to get stretched and to not have enough hours in the day to try to expand the center because there’s always a new animal in need of a place to go. And unfortunately, not many places are certified and equipped to take in these animals. So, if we don’t do it, we’re always worried what’s going to happen to them. Anyone willing to volunteer, just reach out. And other organizations, I’m sure they would not turn you down. Just find what your passion is and there’s going to be a place somewhere out there that could desperately use your help.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
In 2016, a group of female surfers in Oahu came together with a shared belief: When women come together to support and uplift one another, they can change the world. The surfing sisterhood founded the Changing Tides Foundation, initially to provide aid in disaster-stricken coastal communities in Latin America, then shifting the focus to empowering those communities’ girls and young women after witnessing a common thread of gender disparities.
“Teen girls would be inside the homes while the men were playing at the beach or out surfing in the ocean,” says Carolyn Saunders, executive director of the Changing Tides Foundation. “[Changing Tides’ founders] knew what an incredibly transformative power the ocean had had in their own lives, and they really wanted to be able to share that special connection that they had with the ocean with other women and girls.”
Courtesy of Changing Tides Foundation
Founders Becky Mendoza, Anna Santoro, Leah Dawson, and Jianca Lazarus launched a mentorship program for teen girls that had a surfing component and rotating educational sessions on everything from environmental stewardship to better understanding their bodies. The group would meet weekly, then each girl would split off for one-on-one time with her mentor.
When the pandemic struck, the program was paused temporarily and the foundation uprooted and moved to San Diego, where some of the founders had family ties.
Courtesy of Changing Tides Foundation
Since 2022, the foundation has almost exclusively served girls in San Diego—more than 100 and counting. This past summer, Changing Tides paired up with the Monarch School to host a six-week mentoring program for its students.
“One of the things that was so special to see was [that despite] everything that those girls are dealing with in their lives, to notice the looks on their faces when they were at the beach, and especially when they were in the water learning to ride their very first waves,” says Saunders.
The school was so impressed, officials asked Changing Tides to be their surf partner and turn the program into an annual event.
Photo Credit: Jianca Lazarus
The nonprofit also recently returned to Latin America for the first time since the pandemic, this time broadening their reach by partnering with existing nonprofits already working with teen girls there and ensuring cultural representation by recruiting guest educators who are local to each respective area.
In the works for 2026 is a skateboarding mentorship program for San Diego girls who may not be as fond of the ocean but still could benefit from the mentoring and education components. The foundation also has an ambitious plan to double the number of teens it serves. And without a doubt, Changing Tides will continue to empower girls to find community and inspire change.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
From advancements in cellular biology and molecular research to innovations that deepen our understanding of complex biological systems, biotechnology continues to influence how researchers explore some of science’s most important questions.
While major discoveries often capture headlines, the process behind those breakthroughs receives far less attention. Scientific progress depends on a vast network of researchers, laboratories, manufacturers, and specialized organizations working together to support ongoing investigation and discovery.
The Growing Importance of Biotechnology
In recent years, biotechnology has moved beyond the walls of research institutions and into mainstream conversation. Increased access to scientific information, educational content, and expert commentary has sparked growing public interest in the biological sciences.
Topics once discussed primarily within academic circles are now reaching broader audiences through podcasts, documentaries, digital media, and online communities. As a result, more people are developing an appreciation for the research, experimentation, and innovation that drive scientific advancement.
This growing visibility has transformed biotechnology from a largely specialized field into a subject of interest for educators, innovators, investors, and curious observers alike.
The Hidden Infrastructure Behind Discovery
Scientific breakthroughs often capture public attention, but the infrastructure that makes those breakthroughs possible rarely receives the same recognition. Behind every new discovery are years of investigation, testing, analysis, and refinement.
Behind nearly every research project is a network of laboratories, suppliers, technical specialists, and research-focused organizations working together to support scientific exploration. Laboratory infrastructure, specialized materials, quality standards, and reliable methodologies all contribute to the integrity of the research process.
When these foundational elements are in place, researchers can focus on generating insights, exploring new ideas, and building upon existing knowledge. Although much of this work occurs behind the scenes, it plays a critical role in helping science move forward.
Why Discovery Depends on More Than Researchers Alone
As biotechnology continues to evolve, research-focused organizations have become increasingly important contributors to the broader scientific ecosystem.
Among them is NewBioRx, a company operating within the biotechnology and life sciences sector. Like many organizations operating within the broader research ecosystem, NewBioRx contributes to the network of suppliers, laboratories, and scientific stakeholders that help support ongoing research efforts.
As scientific research becomes increasingly sophisticated, organizations that help support the research environment contribute to a culture where innovation can continue to thrive. Their work may not always be visible to the public, but it forms part of the foundation that enables scientific progress.
Why Science Is Reaching Wider Audiences
One of the most notable developments in recent years has been the growing public fascination with science and human biology.
Scientific concepts that were once primarily discussed within research settings are now reaching wider audiences through educational content, podcasts, digital media, and online communities. People are becoming increasingly interested not only in scientific outcomes, but also in the process of discovery itself.
The growing visibility of science has also created new connections between scientific communities and broader audiences. Individuals who operate across multiple worlds—including fitness, media, and life sciences—have helped introduce scientific topics to audiences that may not have engaged with them previously.
One example is Sam Sulek, co-founder of NewBioRx, whose involvement across fitness culture and the life sciences sector reflects the growing intersection between public curiosity and scientific exploration.
As co-founder of NewBioRx, he has helped champion a research-focused approach to scientific inquiry while supporting broader conversations around scientific literacy and discovery.
As scientific discovery becomes increasingly collaborative, public attention is beginning to extend beyond individual breakthroughs and toward the broader ecosystem that makes those breakthroughs possible. From researchers and laboratories to the organizations that support them, scientific progress remains a collective effort built on curiosity, expertise, and long-term commitment.
