SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Foundation announced on Friday that the Qualcomm Foundation has donated $1 million to the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund. The $1 million donation includes $500,000 in immediate food assistance to the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and San Diegans in need.
“Qualcomm has been a bedrock of economic stability and generosity in San Diego County for a very long time,” said Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, Co-chair, County of San Diego COVID-19 Subcommittee. “This substantial donation is another example of their continued commitment to empower people and contribute to our community’s well-being.”
The $500,000 grant will allow the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank to ensure vulnerable populations in our community get the food assistance they need during this critical time. All 200 of its food distribution sites and network of 500 nonprofit partners with feeding programs will continue to provide food to seniors, children and people in need affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, and the Food Bank will remain open and operating throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
The Qualcomm Foundation donation brings the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund balance to more than $5.7 million thanks also to hundreds of individual and business contributions.
“Qualcomm Foundation’s commitment to developing and strengthening communities is reflected in its generous $1 million donation,” shared Mark Stuart, President & CEO of The San Diego Foundation. “Our San Diego region continues to benefit from its leadership and commitment to community.”
Businesses, organizations and individuals can donate and find additional information about the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund at SDFoundation.org/COVID19.
Grant funding from the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund focuses on three critical areas: food security; rental and utility assistance; and income replacement or gap funding. The fund will also provide no-interest loans for nonprofit organizations to provide business and community service continuity.
On March 19, The Foundation’s Board of Governors approved the fund’s first rapid response grant of $250,000 to United Way of San Diego County. United Way will provide safety net funding for rent, mortgage and utilities payments for low-wage individuals and families impacted by layoffs and reduced working hours as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. San Diegans can learn more and apply at uwsd.org/covid19/.
One hundred percent of donations to the San Diego COVID-19 Response Fund will be provided to nonprofits helping San Diegans impacted by the coronavirus. Funds will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the coronavirus outbreak and its recovery phases.