The County Equity Impact Grant Program helped small, minority-led nonprofits expand services, secure major funding, and build long-term capacity, earning statewide recognition for innovation.
The program, co-created with grassroots organizations, the County’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice, and The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego, provided $100,000 general operating grants, nonprofit coaching, and a peer learning group model designed to break down barriers to government and philanthropic funding.
The initiative’s impact includes significant growth for participating organizations, including:
- Paddle for Peace secured a $1 million Alliance Healthcare Foundation i2 Innovation Challenge Grant and expanded coastal access programs for BIPOC youth.
- First Gen Scholars earned a $1 million Alliance Healthcare Foundation i2 Innovation Challenge Grant to launch a data-driven platform supporting first-generation students.
- DREAMS + DUCATS secured funding to open the County’s first fully dedicated dual learning and cultural lab in Sherman Heights with support from The Conrad Prebys Arts Ecosystem: Venues & Spaces grant.
- Greater Than Tech expanded STEM and entrepreneurship pathways into emerging fields, including aerospace, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence now reaching more than 1,500 underserved youth.
Across two grant cycles, the program strengthened organizational capacity, expanded partnerships, and supported community-driven solutions in education, health, restorative justice, youth empowerment, economic mobility, environmental justice, and arts and culture. Leaders from participating organizations continue to collaborate through regional capacity-building spaces, including Live Well San Diego Leadership Team meetings.
In recognition of its design and impact, the program received a 2024 California State Association of Counties Challenge Award, one of the state’s highest honors for public sector innovation.
While the pilot phase has concluded, the relationships and infrastructure built through the Equity Impact Grant Program will continue to support grassroots organizations countywide. The County remains committed to advancing equity through ongoing engagement, interdepartmental collaboration and initiatives that strengthen community partnerships.
