The start of a new year is a time of reflection. It’s a chance to think about what matters most, what we hope to accomplish and how we want to show up for the world. But in 2025, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the uncertainty, challenges and changes unfolding around us. At times, these issues can feel far too big for any one person to solve.
And they are. But here’s the truth: We’re not powerless. Right here, in our own neighborhoods, we have the power to create meaningful change. By remaining hyperlocal and focusing on what we can do to help solve the unique needs of the people next to us — helping a neighbor, volunteering or donating — we move from feeling powerless to living with purpose. Service and giving reconnect us to what truly matters and remind us that change always begins close to home.
At San Diego Foundation, I’ve seen how small acts of generosity can spark extraordinary transformations. This past year, thanks to the support of donors, we granted $114.5 million to 2,313 nonprofits — 82% of which stayed right here in San Diego County. These funds supported everything from scholarships for students to programs that improve family health and climate resilience.
As San Diego Foundation approaches its 50th anniversary, we’re doubling down on this impact with our Fifty & Forward Campaign. Through this initiative, we will grant $500 million to key priorities like education, healthy families and the environment, while raising $1 billion in new funds to ensure we can keep making a difference for decades to come.
Fifty & Forward is about inspiring and aligning philanthropic support for an entire community. Your love for San Diego — this place we call home — offers hope for the difference we can make together. We are all connected. And when we help even one person, we make life in San Diego better for us all.
In the new year, let’s hone in on what we can control. While none of us can solve every problem, we can all take steps that matter. Imagine what’s possible if each of us commits to taking action: For example, donating to a scholarship fund could help a student achieve their dream of college. Sharing your talents through volunteer service could bring relief to a family in need. Supporting programs for sustainable neighborhoods could make a lasting impact on future generations.
These small acts, multiplied across our community, create a lasting impact. They remind us that even when we’re in unchartered waters, as we are today, we can create hope and progress as we navigate this time together.
As we step into 2025, let’s commit to what grounds us: service, connection and the small but meaningful ways we can show up for each other. Whether helping students achieve their dreams, supporting families through hardship, or contributing to a nonprofit that aligns with your values, your actions — big or small — matter.
This year, I encourage you to take that first step. Volunteer your time to causes that inspire you or let San Diego Foundation help you turn your generosity into action. When we give, we don’t just transform the lives of others — we transform our own. We turn worry into action, apathy into connection and powerlessness into progress.
New beginnings are an opportunity to set intentions and focus on what matters most. At San Diego Foundation, our resolution is clear: just, equitable, and resilient communities where every San Diegan can thrive, prosper and feel like they belong.
This article was originally published in The San Diego Union-Tribune.
