Waitt Family Foundation Awards $1.5 Million in Grants to San Diego Nonprofit Organizations

SAN DIEGO, December 1, 2004 – The Waitt Family Foundation awarded more than one and a half million dollars in financial support to eleven local nonprofit organizations during November and December, 2004. Since the Foundation's arrival in San Diego nearly four years ago, more than $13 million has been distributed among San Diego's nonprofit organizations.

The Waitt Family Foundation awarded grants in three focus areas:

• Domestic Violence Prevention--We support programs that prevent violence through education, treat the victims of violence, and help victims feel safe again. The San Diego partners who received funding included the San Diego Domestic Violence Council, the San Diego Family Justice Center and Becky's House (YWCA).
• Technology Access-- Access to technology and the internet can change lives. Unfortunately, the digital divide is still very real in San Diego. The Waitt Family Foundation supports programs to bring computers and internet access to public community centers and into families' homes. It also supports the smart use of technology by nonprofit partners and staff. The San Diego agencies receiving funding include the Regional Technology Alliance and InfoTAP/Nonprofit Management Solutions.
• Community Partnership--The Waitt Family Foundation established the Community Partnership in 2001 to encourage and support resident-led community organizations in its hometown. Members of the partnership receiving continued funding are the San Diego Organizing Project, Hope in the City, Mid-City CAN, MAAC Project, Congregations for Civic Action, Vista Townsite and the Environmental Health Coalition.

The Waitt Family Foundation – Helping Good People do Great Things.

The Waitt Family Foundation was established by Gateway Founder Ted Waitt in 1993 and is headquartered in La Jolla, California.

The Foundation relies on a “Past, Present, Future” approach to grant making. The Foundation believes that by understanding the past -- how we’ve gotten to where we are --we can do a better job of dealing with our problems today. And by anticipating what might be on the horizon tomorrow, we can help prepare for a better world. The Foundation is involved in developing partnerships and projects that seek a deeper understanding of human history, and on developing ways to tap into the potential of the human mind to create a promising future.

Over $360 million has been contributed toward the Foundation’s efforts, placing Waitt, as chairman of the foundation, on BusinessWeek’s list of the 50 most generous philanthropists in America.