In this Meet our Community Impact Team blog series, we’re interviewing each of our San Diego Foundation (SDF) team members so you can learn more about the individuals who are helping lead programs and direct resources to build a more equitable and resilient San Diego.
Today, we’re getting to know Christiana DeBenedict, Director of Environmental Initiatives.
What is your favorite part about working at SDF?
My favorite part about working at SDF is the people. On a daily basis, I have the opportunity to collaborate with a stellar group of individuals that are aligned in our values and goals to support the environment and communities of the San Diego and Cali-Baja region.
What do you enjoy most about partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs)?
The CBOs we work with are dedicated to addressing critical environment and social issues, working directly within communities to provide support and resources. I enjoy the diversity and scope of work we are supporting through our environment-focused areas that include outdoor access, environment education, climate resilience and growing green spaces. I enjoy building relationships and learning about the many interventions and programs, and the impact we are creating together.
Building partnerships is critical and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be inspired and activated to support our community partners in growing and strengthening their impact in our community.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by our partners, our team and our donor community, who bring a wholehearted commitment and dedication to addressing some of the most pressing issues we face today.
I am particularly inspired by the role of philanthropy and its role and capacity to enable community-driven climate solutions through partnerships and funding that can catalyze innovative endeavors and higher risk investments that fund areas where other government funding cannot be directed. I am inspired to think more broadly about our role as humans and the ways we are intimately connected to the Earth and reliant on its natural systems and resources for life. Our work requires a radical, systems-level approach that supports action and solutions that consider the interconnections of racial, social, and geographic challenges.
We need to think creatively about advancing multiple benefit projects that create economic, environmental and community resilience at the same time. I am inspired by the opportunity to think about a future that creates a sustainable and healthier environment for everyone to thrive and how we can lean into strength and opportunity over fear and loss.
How did you get started working in the nonprofit sector?
I have always been drawn to work that has a social impact.
My first career-defining job was with The Synergos Institute, an international development organization with a focus on solving the root causes of poverty globally. I worked on the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership project, which at the time was managed by The Synergos Institute. The goal was to support a network of community foundations to provide the resources, networks and convening capacity to support our binational communities along the U.S.-Mexico border. Community foundations were identified as key organizations that could bridge and connect public and private sectors with the goal of investing in critical areas of need to build a strong civil society.
How did you first learn about SDF?
I learned about San Diego Foundation through my work at the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership. I learned about the role of SDF as a community foundation and the critical resources it provides in the role of a funder and a community partner.
I then had the opportunity to work closely with the SDF environment team as partners on the Climate Education Partners project, a National Science Foundation project working to develop communications and outreach efforts to translate climate science to leader audiences in San Diego.
How do you make time for work/life balance?
Balancing care for people and the planet for me starts with prioritizing my own self-care and commitment to making time for meditation and reflection.
I listen to a podcast on Buddhism teachings and enjoy reading books that explore topics of human development, spirituality, philosophy, personal growth and our connections to ourselves, our planet and each other. I believe that I bring my best self to caring for the people and planet when I give focus to doing the internal work needed to face my own bias, judgment, self-criticism and fear that create emotional barriers to taking progressive action.
Why do you think San Diego is such a generous region?
In the San Diego region, environment nonprofits make up only 2% of 12,000 nonprofits. The sector is small and given the large environment and climate challenges faced, we recognize the incredible work being advanced by this small but mighty group.
When you look at the profile of these environment nonprofits, over 50% have budgets under $250,000 and they are reliant on 56% of funding from individual funders and foundations to support their work. Here is where our donor community really steps up to enable our environment nonprofits to protect and connect natural areas, fight for clean air and water, and advance regional action on climate change.
What social impact area matters to you the most?
The Cali-Baja, San Diego region is a beautiful, vibrant place where we enjoy a temperate climate and outdoor environments that contribute to a high quality of life. But the region faces multiple threats due to the impacts of a changing climate and, most especially, to our frontline communities that are most vulnerable to its impacts.
Climate solutions must address the historic and systemic injustice that has created an inequitable environment and economic burden for these communities.
The ongoing degradation of our natural and living systems has a direct impact on these communities that will continue to face unprecedented challenges today and are threatened by future compounding impacts that will affect their health, environment and financial capacity to “bounce back” from increasing disasters and impacts. Priority must be given to environment, climate and economic justice solutions that build resilience and assets for communities most impacted.
When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time?
If I have 30 minutes of time, I’m hanging out with my fur baby, Mila. She is the sweetest, best dog in the world.
What’s your favorite spot in your neighborhood?
Ocean Beach is my favorite spot. Being on the beach and looking out on the ocean brings me a sense of peace and gratitude for this amazing place I call home.
