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BY NANCY JAMISON On Nov. 14, nearly 160 representatives of foundations, corporate giving programs, and individual donors gathered in Balboa Park for the San Diego Grantmakers annual
conference to learn from national experts and local leaders about how to improve the impact of philanthropy in our region. It was a day of “Cultivating Philanthropy, Seeding Change” to
develop the skills, knowledge, and connectedness of people who are passionate and strategic about their charitable giving. San Diego has fewer philanthropic institutions compared to Los
Angeles and San Francisco, so it’s especially important that we work together to leverage our resources and attract outside funding to our region. The conference helps do that, as the
largest annual convening for grantmakers in our region. And since it takes more than money to fix the complex problems facing some San Diego communities, the conference also focused on how
grantmakers can join with other sectors to tackle social, economic, and environmental issues. Expert speakers from the California Community Foundation, the Aspen Institute Forum for
Community Solutions, The Pollination Project, Association of Corporate Contributions Professionals, and Deloitte shared examples of best practices and philanthropic and cross-sector
collaboration from around the country and world. In the afternoon, a panel of local leaders from Qualcomm, ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, the Chula Vista School District, The San
Diego Foundation, and Moxie Foundation reflected on projects that are working here, like fighting obesity in Chula Vista schools and the development of the San Diego Central Library, as well
as what remains challenging, such as the economic disparity between communities north and south of Interstate 8. Other issues explored throughout the day ranged from corporate employee
engagement programs to making a difference with small grants, to supporting education equity and transitioning military veterans, to social enterprise and “impact investing.” Funders are
increasingly eager to invest in bringing together different community stakeholders and problem solvers to identify the very best solutions. There was a lot of interest at the conference in
identifying new and creative ways to collaborate — after all, we’re all in this together! San Diego Grantmakers also hosted a unique networking reception the evening before the conference
that brought together and celebrated the work of funders and their nonprofit grantees. At the end of the day, we strive to strengthen and expand San Diego’s philanthropic network to make
better contributions to our communities, and we hope this conference helped do just that. ------------------------- _Nancy Jamison is president and CEO of San Diego Grantmakers, a membership
association serving more than 100 grantmaking institutions and individuals. Grantmakers enhances the good work of its members by providing opportunities for collaboration, education, and
advocacy._