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Conrad Prebys Foundation

Annual Giving
$53.7M
Grant Range
$8K - $15.0M

Conrad Prebys Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $53,715,018 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $1.1 billion+
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified
  • Grant Range: $7,500 - $15,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: San Diego County, California (primarily)
  • Grants Awarded: 333 grants (2024)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.prebysfdn.org/

Phone: (619) 860-2100

Application Portal: https://www.conradprebysfoundation.org/

Address: San Diego, CA

Overview

The Conrad Prebys Foundation was established following the 2016 death of real estate entrepreneur and philanthropist Conrad Prebys to perpetuate his commitment to philanthropic endeavors. With total assets exceeding $1.1 billion, it is the largest private foundation in San Diego County. Grant Oliphant, who joined as CEO in March 2022 from The Heinz Endowments in Pittsburgh, leads the foundation with over 25 years of foundation leadership experience. In 2023, the foundation launched a strategic plan focused on responsive, research-informed grantmaking, moving away from rigid grant cycles to a more flexible approach that includes open applications, targeted requests for proposals, invitations, and community-led grantmaking. The foundation aims to create an inclusive, equitable, and vibrant future for all San Diegans, awarding 333 grants totaling $53.7 million in 2024 across its four core program areas: Visual and Performing Arts, Youth Success, Healthcare, and Medical Research.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grantmaking (Two annual cycles)

  • Grant range: $7,500 - $15,000,000
  • Application method: Two-stage process (Letter of Inquiry followed by invitation to full application)
  • Supports: General operating funds, program support, technology/equipment, scholarship funds, strategic initiatives, capital campaigns/projects, and multi-year grants

Youth Workforce Initiative (Request for Proposals)

  • Recent awards: $5.89 million to 24 organizations (2024)
  • Focus: Paid internships and apprenticeships for youth ages 16-26 in high-potential industries including healthcare, creative workforce, IT, STEM, education, construction, and environment
  • Target populations: Youth from historically underinvested communities including refugees, immigrants, justice-impacted, and unhoused individuals
  • Grant amounts: Ranged from $150,000 to $400,000 per year for one- or two-year grants

Arts Ecosystem Grants (Request for Proposals)

  • Recent awards: $5.8 million to 38 organizations (2024)
  • Grant amounts: $36,000 - $325,000
  • Focus: Venues and spaces funding to preserve and enhance affordable, accessible places for creativity and connection

Healthcare Initiatives

  • SHARE Initiative: $10 million two-year program to improve healthcare for underserved communities
  • Rapid Response Medical Research Funds: $7 million package to support retention of early and mid-career scientists

Impact Investment Program

  • Prebys Ventures Impact Fund: Recently invested $5 million in local startups advancing medical research and patient care

Priority Areas

Visual and Performing Arts

  • Arts organizations and cultural centers
  • Museums and performing arts venues
  • Community arts programs and education
  • Arts accessibility and infrastructure

Youth Success

  • Youth development programs
  • Workforce development and career pathways
  • Educational programs including vocational/trade school education
  • Programs serving opportunity youth ages 16-26

Healthcare

  • Community health programs
  • Healthcare access for underserved communities
  • Healthcare workforce development
  • Immigrant legal defense programs related to health access

Medical Research

  • Biomedical research programs
  • Support for early and mid-career scientists
  • Research institutions and initiatives
  • Medical innovation and startups

Additional Areas

  • Higher education
  • Animal conservation
  • Other charitable purposes consistent with Conrad Prebys's philanthropic history

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations that do not serve San Diego County, California
  • Political parties, electoral campaign committees, and political action committees
  • For-profit companies as lead organizations (may serve as partners)
  • Government agencies as lead organizations (may serve as partners)
  • Individuals as direct grantees
  • Organizations where foundation directors, officers, employees, or their immediate family members have conflicts of interest

Geographic Restriction: The foundation primarily makes grants to organizations located within San Diego County and very rarely approves unsolicited applications from beyond San Diego County.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Board Chair: Dan Yates (succeeded Tony Cortes, one of the foundation's original board members)

Executive Vice Chair: Alan Sorkin

Treasurer: Peter Ellsworth

Board Secretary: Irma Cota

Additional Board Members:

  • Paula A. Cordeiro
  • Constance Carroll
  • Mary Walshok
  • Victoria Hamilton
  • Grant Oliphant (CEO)

Executive Leadership

President and CEO: Grant Oliphant Joined March 2022 with more than 25 years of foundation leadership, previously serving as president of The Heinz Endowments in Pittsburgh. According to the foundation's announcement, Oliphant brings extensive experience in strategic philanthropy and community-based grantmaking.

Additional Leadership Team:

  • Dr. Emily Young (joined from The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego)
  • Chris Sichel (previously President and CEO of the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation)

Leadership Perspective

When announcing new board leadership in 2023, the foundation emphasized its commitment to community-based partnerships and responsive grantmaking that aligns with evolving community needs. The strategic plan, launched under Oliphant's leadership, reflects the foundation's acknowledgment that "true community well-being depends on ensuring every person's sense of purpose, opportunity, and belonging."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Conrad Prebys Foundation uses multiple grantmaking approaches:

1. Open Application Process (Two Annual Cycles)

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

  • Submit via online portal at www.conradprebysfoundation.org
  • Requires completion of standardized online application with box/field inputs (not an uploaded letter)
  • All applicants must complete LOI, including current grantees
  • LOIs reviewed in two cycles annually (specific dates listed on foundation website)
  • LOIs submitted outside cycles will remain pending until next cycle opens
  • Foundation staff evaluates organization eligibility and fit with mission, geographic focus, and priorities

Step 2: Full Grant Application (By Invitation Only)

  • Applicants notified via email if invited to submit full application or if request declined
  • Invitation to submit full application is not a guarantee of funding
  • Invited applicants given approximately one month to submit full application
  • Specific deadline provided in invitation

2. Targeted Requests for Proposals (RFPs) The foundation periodically issues RFPs for specific initiatives (e.g., Arts Ecosystem, Youth Workforce Initiative). These are announced on the foundation website and through sector networks.

3. Invitation-Based and Community-Led Grantmaking The foundation also makes grants through direct invitations and community-led initiatives as part of its responsive grantmaking approach.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a tax-exempt charitable organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
  • Must be in good standing
  • Must serve San Diego County, California
  • Lead organizations from outside San Diego County must partner with a San Diego County-based nonprofit

Decision Timeline

The foundation transitioned to a more responsive, ongoing grantmaking process in 2023, moving away from rigid grant cycles. Specific decision timelines vary by program:

  • Two annual cycles for general LOI submissions
  • Approximately one month provided for full application submission after LOI approval
  • Final decision timelines not publicly specified but vary by grant size and complexity

Grants must be expended as soon as possible and within 12 months of grant award notification (except for multi-year grants).

Success Rates

While specific success rates are not publicly disclosed, the foundation awarded 333 grants out of thousands of inquiries in 2024, suggesting a competitive process. The foundation's shift to targeted RFPs, invitations, and community-led grantmaking alongside open applications indicates they carefully curate their portfolio to align with strategic priorities.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for declined applicants is not publicly available. Current grantees are explicitly required to submit a new LOI for subsequent grants, suggesting the foundation treats each request on its merits rather than providing automatic renewal.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Strategic Priorities

1. Alignment with Responsive Grantmaking Philosophy The foundation's 2023 strategic plan emphasizes "co-creating grants with partners in the community that align with their issue area goals." This suggests successful applicants should demonstrate:

  • Willingness to collaborate and partner
  • Alignment with community-identified needs
  • Flexibility in approach and implementation
  • Connection to San Diego County communities

2. Focus on Equity and Belonging The foundation explicitly states its goal is "creating an inclusive, equitable, and vibrant future for all San Diegans," with emphasis on "ensuring every person's sense of purpose, opportunity, and belonging." Strong applications should:

  • Address equity gaps in San Diego County
  • Serve historically underinvested communities (specifically mentioning refugees, immigrants, justice-impacted, and unhoused populations)
  • Demonstrate inclusive practices and accessibility

3. Evidence-Based Approaches The strategic plan emphasizes "research-informed grantmaking." Applications should:

  • Provide evidence that proposed solutions work
  • Include evaluation results or research backing
  • Demonstrate clear metrics for success
  • Show understanding of the problem being addressed

4. Recent Funding Patterns

Recent grants reveal the foundation's specific interests:

Arts Funding (2024):

  • Infrastructure and "venues & spaces" for arts accessibility
  • Arts programs that build community connection
  • Range from large established institutions ($325,000 to Old Globe, San Diego Museum of Art, La Jolla Music Society) to grassroots organizations ($80,000 or less)
  • Geographic diversity across San Diego County, including underserved areas like Imperial Beach and Borrego Springs

Youth Workforce (2024):

  • Career pathways in healthcare, creative industries, IT, STEM, education, construction, and environment
  • Programs serving "opportunity youth" ages 16-26
  • Partnerships between workforce development organizations and industry
  • Paid internship and apprenticeship models

Healthcare:

  • Community health approaches
  • Healthcare workforce development
  • Support for underserved populations
  • Integration of arts and nature in healing

Medical Research:

  • Retention of early and mid-career scientists
  • Rapid response to sector challenges
  • Innovation and entrepreneurship in biomedical research

5. Partnership and Collaboration The foundation values collaborative approaches. Many funded projects involve multiple organizations working together, and the foundation explicitly allows partners from outside San Diego County or from for-profit/government sectors.

6. Organizational Capacity While the foundation doesn't explicitly state capacity requirements, their emphasis on "leadership, structure, and capabilities of those working on this solution" suggests they assess:

  • Organizational stability and track record
  • Qualified leadership and staff
  • Appropriate infrastructure for grant size
  • Ability to measure and report outcomes

7. Conrad Prebys's Legacy Projects should align with Conrad Prebys's philanthropic interests during his lifetime, which included major support for:

  • Biomedical research institutions (gave $100 million to what became Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute)
  • Higher education and scholarships ($20 million to SDSU)
  • Arts and music programs
  • Animal conservation

Application Tips from Foundation Materials

For their Prebys Sparx program (which may indicate broader preferences):

  • Provide evidence to show your solution will work
  • Review all application requirements and scoring criteria before beginning
  • In presentations, connect with your audience rather than simply reading slides
  • Clearly articulate what makes your project unique
  • Identify how you will measure success
  • Demonstrate understanding of organizational capacity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. San Diego County focus is critical - The foundation very rarely approves unsolicited applications from outside the county. Your organization must serve San Diego communities or partner with organizations that do.

  2. Align with equity and belonging priorities - Successful applications explicitly address how they serve historically underinvested communities and create inclusive opportunities. Use the foundation's language around "purpose, opportunity, and belonging."

  3. Multiple pathways to funding exist - Beyond the two annual LOI cycles, watch for targeted RFPs for specific initiatives. The foundation's responsive grantmaking approach means they also make invitation-based grants and support community-led initiatives.

  4. Think partnership and collaboration - The foundation's strategic plan emphasizes "co-creating" grants with community partners. Applications that demonstrate collaborative approaches and multiple stakeholder engagement are likely stronger.

  5. Provide evidence and evaluation plans - The foundation values "research-informed grantmaking." Include data, evidence, and clear plans for measuring success. Show you understand the problem and have proof your approach works.

  6. Grant sizes vary dramatically - With awards ranging from $7,500 to $15 million, tailor your request to what's appropriate for your project and organizational capacity. Recent 2024 grants show comfort with both very large ($325,000+) and modest ($36,000-$100,000) awards.

  7. Foundation has evolved significantly since 2023 - Under CEO Grant Oliphant's leadership, the foundation shifted from rigid cycles to responsive, flexible grantmaking. This more open approach may create opportunities for organizations that can move quickly and engage in co-creation processes.

References

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