San Diego Foundation’s El Camino Fund Issues First Grants to Benefit Latino Community

The San Diego Foundation announced Thursday that it has established the El Camino Fund, to benefit the Latino community, with a $2.5 million endowment.

The fund is intended to empower local leaders and strengthen economic mobility and generational wealth-building projects via grants issued to Latino-serving nonprofits.

“San Diego is a beautiful and diverse region, but not everyone has access to the same opportunity,” said Miguel Lopez, the foundation’s manager of development, in a statement. “Through the SDF El Camino Fund, we will advance the trajectory of our Latino/a neighbors, which will benefit all San Diegans and strengthen our local economy for generations.”

Latinos represent 35% of San Diego County’s population but face significant economic challenges due to systemic barriers, socio-economic disparities and unique community needs, according to the foundation.

The fund will back nonprofits that invest in entrepreneurship, workforce training, financial literacy and homeownership, areas research and community discussion show remain challenging for local Latinos.

Grants include:

• $100,000 for Accessity to fund microlending
• $100,000 for Hispanic Wealth Project for multiple projects, including wealth-building and use of real estate technology
• $100,000 for Escondido Education COMPACT for workforce readiness
• $82,500 for Logan Heights Community Development Corp. for an entrepreneurship program
• $82,500 for Sherman Heights Community Center for a culinary entrepreneurship incubator course
• $25,000 for MANA de San Diego for the Latino Upward Mobility Initiative to secure higher-paying jobs, and
• $10,000 for Encuentros Leadership of North County for general operating support for the nonprofit.

Several organizations and individuals have donated to the fund, including San Diego Gas & Electric, with $100,000.

“The launch of the El Camino Fund is a significant step toward strengthening economic mobility and generational wealth-building for the people of San Diego County,” said Estela de Llanos, San Diego Gas & Electric’s vice president of land and environmental services and chief sustainability officer.

– City News Service