SAN DIEGO — San Diego County's District 4 is set to receive about $2 million in grant money to help balance systemic disparities in the historically underserved community. It's San Diegans tax dollars at work.
Each San Diego County District — there are five — will get roughly $2 million to put back into their district through two community grants. The grants are awarded annually and the application deadline for District 4 is quickly approaching.
District 4 County Supervisor, Monica Montgomery Steppe said The Community Enhancement Program and the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program are vital in addressing systemic disparities inherent in underserved communities.
"We need good partners in government,” Supervisor Montgomery Steppe shared. “We need people who are at the grassroots level that are taking care of the everyday needs of our most vulnerable communities."
The Neighborhood Reinvestment Program is a grant designed to help County departments, public agencies, and non-profit community organizations for one-time community, social, educational cultural, recreational, or environmental needs.
The Community Enhancement Program is a grant designed to stimulate tourism, promote the economy, create jobs and improve quality of life.
Supervisor Montgomery Steppe said this year they have a little extra money because former supervisor Nathan Fletcher didn't get to distribute all of the funds during his tenure.
"So we get to figure out where that money goes and how it can best benefit our communities," Supervisor Montgomery Steppe said.
The money comes from San Diegan tax dollars that residents pay to the county. That money is divided by county districts and put back into the community through these two grants to nonprofits and public agencies.
Each district, like district four, gets to pick what groups to which to give the money.
"Our theme's and pillars for government are: Safe and healthy communities, economic opportunities for all and reimagining what public safety looks like,” Supervisor Montgomery Steppe added. “I want those that we invest in and build partnerships with to mirror those same values."
There are already organizations who have applied for this year’s grants who are visibly active in the community. Some community-based organizations have also been awarded grants in previous years.
"Just In Time Foster Youth that is on the list. We have the Asian Business Association on the list. San Diego Pride is on the list," Supervisor Montgomery Steppe shared.
Sheri Jones and Tinicia Wallace are the Founders of Black San Diego. Black San Diego is a digital community that shares information, resources and everything in between for San Diegans interested in supporting or learning about San Diego’s Black thriving Black businesses and community.
"We actually started on Facebook,” Jones said proudly. “We have a following of about 48,000 members. It's really just about people going in there and asking for resources, events."
Last year, Black San Diego, a 501(c)3 nonprofit received $12,000. They used some of that money to host Daygo Eatz, a popular food vendor pop-up that grew into an all-out community festival.
"This year we did a yoga demonstration with Movement Matters,” Jones said. “We had singers. We had rappers. We had a full-on community festival for everyone to come and enjoy.”
“Then people who visited were able to find out about the nine blocks of Black-owned businesses and organizations all in one spot in Encanto that they may not have known about before and can now support. If you grew up here in San Diego you may have known there was an Encanto Street Fair or the Martin Luther King Parade used to come through here. Having events here brings back a sense of home,” Jones said.
Jones says Black San Diego has been able to step up and help other community-based groups bridge the gap.
"If they're short on funding, we can step in and help with funding for them too,” Jones concluded.
Time is running out to apply so here's what you need to know:
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on May 17.
Applicants will have to provide a detailed budget on how the funds will be used.
Application details specifically for San Diego County District 4 can be found online at Montgomery Steppe's website.
Other county districts are also distributing grant funds. Click here to find your district and see if grant money is still available.
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