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Donald C and Elizabeth M Dickinson Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Donald C and Elizabeth M Dickinson Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$1.8M
Granted FY2025still arriving
17
Grants FY2025still arriving
3
States reached
$510k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Arts & Culture$8.0MHealth$4.3MEducation$2.5MAnimals$875kPhilanthropy$742kScience & Tech$450kEnvironment$325kYouth Development$185kOther$0
02FY2025 · 17 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • $10k–50k2 grants · $40k
  • $50k–250k13 grants · $876k
  • $250k+2 grants · $843k
$60,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$36M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
NATIONAL COWBOY MUSEUM$510,000
RADYS CHILDRENS HOSPITAL$333,000
SAN DIEGO ZOO$100,000
USD HAHN SCHOOL OF NURSING$100,000
TERI CENTER$100,000
KRAEMER ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION$75,000
CUREBOUND$75,000
RANCHO SANTA FE FOUNDATION$62,000
ARCS FOUNDATION$60,000
CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL$53,730
Individual grant recipient$50,000
ASELTINE SCHOOL$50,000
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART$50,000
CRISTO REY SCHOOL$50,000
MINGEI INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM$50,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY18–25, $158k) land where the poverty rate runs at 11%, against an area that typically sits at 8%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 8%THE FOOD DEPOT: $15k → 12%A BRIDGE FOR KIDS: $30k → 11%A BRIDGE FOR KIDS: $30k → 11%A BRIDGE FOR KIDS: $30k → 11%A BRIDGE FOR KIDS: $25k → 11%A BRIDGE FOR KIDS: $10k → 11%A BRIDGE FOR KIDS: $10k → 11%CASA DE AMISTAD: $8k → 11%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

94%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$17M · 32 repeat orgs$1.1M to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +28% since the first grant, against +26% for those funded once.

32 repeat relationships: 13 still active in FY2025, 19 since wound down; 3 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

32
17

Total granted

$17M
$883k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+28%
+26%

Still filing today

47%
76%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 87% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $215k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
HealthEducationArts & CultureHuman ServicesAnimalsPhilanthropyOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • ZS
    ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO
    3× · 2017–2019 · $750k · revenue +28%
  • KE
    KRAEMER ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION INC
    9× · 2017–2025 · $600k · revenue +34%
  • B1
    BUILDING 178 PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
    2× · 2023–2024 · $500k · revenue ×11 · 33% of their budget

Funded once

  • NH
    NATIONAL HEALTHCARE
    one grant, 2022 · $350k
  • NCH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM INC
    one grant, 2018 · $100k · revenue -876%
  • FO
    FRIENDS OF SAN PASQUAL ACADEMY INCgraduated
    one grant, 2022 · $50k · revenue +242% · 31% of their budget
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
The San Diego Foundation

The san diego foundation inspires enduring philanthropy and enables community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region.

Philanthropy
2
San Diego French-American School

San diego french-american school offers an exceptional bilingual education within a vibrant international community, preparing students to become confident, responsible and engaged global citizens.

—
3
San Diego Jewish Academy

San Diego Jewish Academy empowers each student to learn for life, guided by Jewish values and rooted in strength of community.

Education
4
San Diego Theatres Inc

San Diego Theatres, Inc. (SDTI) is a not-for-profit public benefit corporation established to manage and operate publicly owned performing arts theatres. SDTI was established in 2003 by the San Diego Convention Center Corporation (SDCCC),…

Arts & Culture
5
San Diego State University Foundation Sdsu Research Foundation

To support and further the research, education and community service objectives of san diego state university.

Education
6
The International School of San Francisco

Guided by the principles of academic rigor and diversity, the international school of san francisco offers programs of study in french and english to prepare its graduates for a world in which the ability to think critically and to…

Education
7
Friends of the San Diego Public Library

The friends of the san diego public library enhances the san diego public library system so that it may fulfill its literary, educational, technological, community, and cultural purposes.

Education
8
San Diego Opera Association

Mission: the mission of san diego opera is to deliver exceptional performances and exciting, accessible programs to diverse audiences, focusing on community partnerships, and the transformative and expressive power of the human voice. as…

Arts & Culture
9
Associated Students of San Diego State University

To support the social, recreational, cultural and education programs and facilities, both on campus and in the community, and to advocate for student interests, provide leadership opportunities and participate in shared governance.

—
10
United Way of San Diego County

To spark breakthrough community action that elevates every child and family toward a brighter future.

Philanthropy
11
Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego

to advance regional contemporary art and artists while fostering cultural equity through access to meaningful art experiences

Arts & Culture
12
San Diego Municipal Employees Assn

The san diego municipal employees association (sdmea) is dedicated to being a strong and effective advocate for san diego city employees. sdmea is united to improve employees' standard of living and promote their fair treatment by…

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Uc San Diego Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Kraemer Endowment Foundation Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

30 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 30 of the 53 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

4
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
8
Early backer (in before they grew)
30/30
Grantees still filing
22/30
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

NATIONAL COWBOY MUSEUM: $3,485,125 · OtherNATIONAL COWBOY MUSEUMMINGEI INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM: $2,050,000 · OtherMINGEI INTERNATIONAL MUSEUMRADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: $2,030,000 · OtherRADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITALSAN DIEGO BOTANICAL GARDENS: $1,140,000 · OtherSAN DIEGO BOTANICAL GARDENSUSD HAHN SCHOOL OF NURSING: $900,000 · OtherUSD HAHN SCHOOL OF NURSINGRADYS CHILDRENS HOSPITAL: $696,000 · OtherKRAEMER ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION INC: $600,000 · OtherTHE REGENTS OF UC SAN DIEGO: $484,483 · Other+26 more: $2,580,110 · Other+26 moreAUTISM TREE PROJECT INC: $390,000 · HealthCUREBOUND: $375,000 · HealthSAN DIEGO EDUCATION FUND: $257,500 · HealthNCH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM INC: $100,000 · Health+2 more: $40,000 · HealthZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO: $750,000 · Animals+1 more: $25,000 · AnimalsCYGNET THEATRE COMPANY: $500,000 · Arts & CultureSAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF MAN DBA MUSEUM OF US: $100,000 · Arts & CultureTHE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION: $45,000 · Arts & CultureBUILDING 178 PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: $500,000 · Community ImprovementUC SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION: $100,000 · EducationASELTINE SCHOOL: $75,000 · EducationFRIENDS OF SAN PASQUAL ACADEMY INC: $50,000 · EducationPACIFIC RIDGE SCHOOL: $50,000 · EducationWILLOW GROVE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION: $45,000 · Education+1 more: $7,500 · EducationNATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN: $325,000 · Environment
Other$13,965,718Health$1,162,500Animals$775,000Arts & Culture$645,000Community Improvement$500,000Education$327,500Environment$325,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO: $750,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetKRAEMER ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION INC: $600,000 over 9y, 14% of budgetBUILDING 178 PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: $500,000 over 2y, 33% of budgetCYGNET THEATRE COMPANY: $500,000 over 2y, 11% of budgetAUTISM TREE PROJECT INC: $390,000 over 6y, 30% of budgetCUREBOUND: $375,000 over 4y, 1.8% of budgetNATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN: $325,000 over 5y, 1.2% of budgetSAN DIEGO EDUCATION FUND: $257,500 over 8y, 26% of budgetREUBEN H FLEET SCIENCE CENTER: $250,000 over 2y, 1.7% of budgetA BRIDGE FOR KIDS: $135,000 over 6y, 8.3% of budgetSAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF MAN DBA MUSEUM OF US: $100,000 over 3y, 1.2% of budgetUC SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION: $100,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CHILDRENS INITIATIVE INC: $80,000 over 4y, 1.8% of budgetASELTINE SCHOOL: $75,000 over 2y, 2.0% of budgetFRIENDS OF SAN PASQUAL ACADEMY INC: $50,000 over 1y, 31% of budgetAMERICARES FOUNDATION INC: $50,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetJACOBS & CUSHMAN SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK: $50,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetPACIFIC RIDGE SCHOOL: $50,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTHE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION: $45,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetWILLOW GROVE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION: $45,000 over 1y, 14% of budgetFUNDAMENTAL HEALTH: $30,000 over 1y, 15% of budgetKAUAI HUMANE SOCIETY INC: $25,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetSAN DIEGO BLOOD BANK: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE FOOD DEPOT: $15,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetResounding Joy Inc: $10,000 over 1y, 2.2% of budgetCASA DE AMISTAD CENTRO DE ENSENANZA: $7,500 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetKITCHENS FOR GOOD: $7,500 over 1y, 0.2% of budgettranscenDANCE Youth Arts Project: $7,500 over 1y, 1.7% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO ↗
  • Who funds KRAEMER ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds BUILDING 178 PERFORMING ARTS CENTER ↗
  • Who funds CYGNET THEATRE COMPANY ↗
  • Who funds AUTISM TREE PROJECT INC ↗
  • Who funds CUREBOUND ↗
  • Who funds NATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN ↗
  • Who funds SAN DIEGO EDUCATION FUND ↗
  • Who funds REUBEN H FLEET SCIENCE CENTER ↗
  • Who funds A BRIDGE FOR KIDS ↗
  • Who funds SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF MAN DBA MUSEUM OF US ↗
  • Who funds NCH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM INC ↗
  • Who funds UC SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds THE CHILDRENS INITIATIVE INC ↗
  • Who funds ASELTINE SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds RANCHO SANTA FE FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds FRIENDS OF SAN PASQUAL ACADEMY INC ↗
  • Who funds AMERICARES FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds JACOBS & CUSHMAN SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK ↗
  • Who funds PACIFIC RIDGE SCHOOL ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The San Diego Foundat…The Conrad Prebys Fou…Jewish Community Foun…Samuel I & John Henry…Pratt Memorial FundWalter J & Betty C Za…The Parker FoundationThe Nordson Corporati…Sempra FoundationThe Cushman FoundationPrice Philanthropies …Rancho Santa Fe Found…
The San Diego FoundationCA29.9× affinity13 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The San Diego Foundation · The Conrad Prebys Foundation · Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego · Samuel I & John Henry Fox Foundation · Pratt Memorial Fund · Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation · The Parker Foundation · The Nordson Corporation Foundation · Sempra Foundation · The Cushman Foundation · Price Philanthropies Foundation · Rancho Santa Fe Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Donald C and Elizabeth M Dickinson Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Donald C and Elizabeth M Dickinson Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%3%10%23%40%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 0%
  • Americares Foundation Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
7report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Donald C and Elizabeth M Dickinson Foundation?

Find your warmest path to Donald C and Elizabeth M Dickinson Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 53 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Donald C and Elizabeth M Dickinson’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home