Conrad Prebys Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $53,715,018 (2023)
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

Phone: (619) 860-2100

Address: 1420 Kettner Blvd Ste 700, San Diego, CA 92101

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 endeavours. 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 totalling $53.7 million in 2024 across its four core programme areas: Visual and Performing Arts, Youth Success, Healthcare, and Medical Research.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

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, programme support, technology/equipment, scholarship funds, strategic initiatives, capital campaigns/projects, and multi-year grants

Youth Workforce Initiative (Request for Proposals)

Awards: $5.89 million to 24 organisations (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)

Awards: $5.8 million to 38 organisations (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 programme 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 Programme

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

Priority Areas

Visual and Performing Arts

Arts organisations and cultural centres
Museums and performing arts venues
Community arts programmes and education
Arts accessibility and infrastructure

Youth Success

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

Healthcare

Community health programmes
Healthcare access for underserved communities
Healthcare workforce development
Immigrant legal defence programmes related to health access

Medical Research

Biomedical research programmes
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

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

Geographic Restriction: The foundation primarily makes grants to organisations 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 emphasised 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 acknowledgement 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 standardised 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 organisation 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 organisation as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
Must be in good standing
Must serve San Diego County, California
Lead organisations 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 programme:

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 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 emphasises "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 emphasises "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. Funding Patterns

Grants reveal the foundation's specific interests:

Arts Funding (2024):

Infrastructure and "venues & spaces" for arts accessibility
Arts programmes 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 organisations ($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
Programmes serving "opportunity youth" ages 16-26
Partnerships between workforce development organisations 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 organisations working together, and the foundation explicitly allows partners from outside San Diego County or from for-profit/government sectors.

6. Organisational 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:

Organisational 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 programmes
Animal conservation

Application Tips from Foundation Materials

For their Prebys Sparx programme (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 organisational capacity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

San Diego County focus is critical - The foundation very rarely approves unsolicited applications from outside the county. Your organisation must serve San Diego communities or partner with organisations that do.
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."
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.
Think partnership and collaboration - The foundation's strategic plan emphasises "co-creating" grants with community partners. Applications that demonstrate collaborative approaches and multiple stakeholder engagement are likely stronger.
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.
Grant sizes vary dramatically - With awards ranging from $7,500 to $15 million, tailor your request to what's appropriate for your project and organisational capacity. 2024 grants show comfort with both very large ($325,000+) and modest ($36,000-$100,000) awards.
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 organisations that can move quickly and engage in co-creation processes.

References

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