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San Diego Regional Economic Development Foundation

EIN 33-0992658 · San Diego, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To support and cultivate sustainable employment opportunities for San Diego County residents contributing to a prosperous local economy.

Income
$455,364
Spending
$679,610
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
2
Highest pay
$125,715, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 49% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $370,310 spent. Talent & WorkforceThe Foundation created this program as a collaborative effort to better prepare San Diegans for quality jobs via locally serving education institutions and expand access to diverse, qualified talent for San Diego companies. Advancing San Diego is helping the region meet its inclusive growth goals by strengthening relationships between local industry and education systems. Better alignment between these systems will mean that the region can collectively prepare San Diegans for high-demand jobs, and local employers many of which are small companies can establish or expand recruitment relationships with locally serving.
  2. $174,791 spent. Inclusive Economic DevelopmentThe Foundation supports programs and initiatives which impact the region's ability to sustain job growth for residents in high-demand jobs. Projects including, overseeing research projects that identify areas for potential job growth and identify risk factors among certain sectors within the region's economy; outreach to businesses in the high technology sectors, with an emphasis on small and medium sized businesses and provide services to support their growth and development in the region; and stewarding the regional Inclusive Growth Strategy to make San Diego more affordable and competitive for all San Diego.
  3. $60,000 spent. San Diego Investment MapCreation of Investment Map to support inclusive economic growth across the region. It is a key component of EDCs 2030 Inclusive Growth framework, particularly aimed at advancing the Thriving Households goal by informing strategic decisions in housing, childcare, and corporate site selection. The map integrates a variety of datasets into user-friendly dashboards, allowing stakeholders to explore San Diego County through different lenses. These dashboards include data and analyses on income distribution, worker concentrations, housing, childcare, and site selection.
  4. $50,000 spent. MetroConnect is a flagship international sales accelerator that equips San Diego-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with resources to expand into global markets. The program provides matching grants, executive workshops on export compliance and finance, specialized mentorship, and access to a global service provider network.
  5. $1,375 spent. SAN DIEGO BUSINESS HUBSan Diego Business Hub is a program tailored for small, service-based businesses to receive a full suite of digital tools, free-of-charge. Reserved for minority, women, veteran and other economically under-resourced business owners, these digital tools are provided to allow small businesses to pivot online, run more efficiently, and improve overall resiliency during an economic downturn.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.