Conrad Prebys Foundation

Prebys Foundation, others 'Unite for San Diego' to help protect families

East County News Service
 
Sept. 26, 2025 (San Diego County) – Three of San Diego County's largest foundations -- Prebys Foundation, Price Philanthropies and San Diego Foundation -- along with members of the Robert Price family, have formed a group to help local families during a time of challenging cuts in services.
 
The group -- United for San Diego -- is increasing their annual giving by $70 million for safety net needs, leaders shared at a Thursday press conference at Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank headquarters.
 
The funders are coordinating efforts during a current urgent need, when historic cuts are imminent, to make the biggest impact -- helping safeguard access to food, housing and healthcare.
 
Robert Price, President and CEO, Price Philanthropies, explained the mission by usinga thought from Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), a collection of Jewish ethical teachings and aphorisms from the Mishnah, the first text of the Jewish oral law.
 
“To paraphrase a wise teaching from Jewish ethics, we are not commanded to complete the task of making our world better, but neither are we free to do nothing,” Price said. “Many of our fellow San Diegans will soon be facing major challenges in meeting their basic needs for food, shelter and medical care. We have made the decision to increase our charitable giving to help as many of our neighbors as possible. We hope many of you will join in this effort.”

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The Conrad Prebys Foundation grants more than $13 million to local groups

Photo by Hana Tobias for transcenDANCE

East County News Service

Sept. 24, 2025 (San Diego County) – With cuts in federal and state funding putting many arts organizations and cultural institutions at risk, along with as local budget shortfalls, donor fatigue and inflation woes, grants from outside agencies have grown more important than ever for many groups.

Leading the way to help local organizations stay rooted, keep operating and thrive is the The Conrad Prebys Foundation, the largest independent private foundation in San Diego County.

The Prebys Foundation this month announced it is providing $13.375 million in emergency grants to help keep some of the county’s most important cultural centers open.

“Arts are not a luxury,” said Prebys Foundation President and CEO Grant Oliphant. “They are essential infrastructure for a thriving, equitable, and prosperous region. When we invest in the arts, we invest in jobs, innovation, understanding and the shared spaces where our community’s stories and healing come alive.”

More than 60 local arts and culture organizations will benefit from the combined amount of the emergency grants.

The investment includes $8.625 million in unrestricted operating support for 22 organizations ranging from major cultural anchors to grassroots community arts groups. It also includes $4.75 million for venues and spaces funding to 39 organizations to preserve and enhance affordable, accessible places for creativity and connection.


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THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION AWARDS $25,000 TO ST. MADELEINE SOPHIE'S CENTER

Source: St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center

 

Photo:  Artist Kristin McKenney shares her woven bookmark with other artists at one of the evening Art Social hour classes.  Kristen used a cardboard loom kit from the Galley to make her brother-in-law this bookmark.

 

April 1, 2021 (El Cajon) -- St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC), a nonprofit organization that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has been awarded a grant from The Conrad Prebys Foundation for $25,000. The grant is designated towards Sophie’s Gallery Virtual Art Program. SMSC was among 121 local arts, education, health, and science projects to receive a combined $78 million in grant funding from The Conrad Prebys Foundation’s inaugural grant cycle. 


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

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