WAITT FAMILY FOUNDATION DELIVERS GLAD HOLIDAY TIDINGS TO LOCAL SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY-BUILDING EFFORTS

Waitt Family Foundation give more than $1.26 million to local non-profits in past month

San Diego, CA- December 19, 2003 -The Waitt Family Foundation has provided more than $1.26 million in much needed financial aid to local non-profit groups this holiday season, including $310,000 to local community-building efforts in the county.

Hoping to make a difference during times of reduced philanthropy following the recent economic downturn, the Waitt Family Foundation has since mid-November donated nearly $1 million to 13 local non-profit organizations as diverse as the San Diego Domestic Violence Council, and the Family Justice Center, to the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance and the Junior Seau Foundation.

And as part of the Foundation's on-going efforts to support resident-led, community building efforts, the Foundation has partnered with six non-profit organizations this month, using a combination of an additional $310,000 in financial support, collaborative relationships and mentoring to help build and strengthen their efforts.

"In light of the current economic climate and the continued decline in charitable giving, today, more than ever, the need for strong and sustainable community building efforts is crucial," said John Heubusch, president of the Waitt Family Foundation. "As we enter the season where it is truly better to give than receive, we believe that by partnering and supporting local San Diego resident-led organizations and other meaningful non-profit efforts, we can and we will help good people do great things."

The six community-building organizations being supported by the Waitt Family Foundation are: Hope in the City; Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty; Mid-City CAN (Community Advocacy Network); San Diego Environmental Health Coalition; San Diego Organizing Project and the Vista Townsite Community Partnership.

Waitt Family Foundation

The 13 additional non-profits receiving holiday donations from the Foundation are:
Elementary Institute of Science; Family Justice Center; Junior Seau Foundation;
Nonprofit Management Solutions/InfoTAP; San Diego Domestic Violence Council;
SD Regional Technology Alliance; SDSU Foundation for the City Heights Wide Area Network; Being Alive San Diego; Children's Hospital; UCSD for Owen Clinic; United Way of San Diego; The San Diego Futures Foundation; and the San Diego American Red Cross.