1. What is The SDWF membership contribution?
    A SDWF member commits to an annual contribution of a minimum of $2,000 for five years, a total of $10,000.

  2. When is my annual membership contribution due?
    Your membership contribution is paid in five annual installments (a minimum of $2,000 per installment). A Membership Contribution Installment Request is sent to each member annually and is due each year.

  3. How may I pay my membership contribution?
    Payment options are:
    • A check made payable to The San Diego Women's Foundation
    • Payment by stock (contact SDWF for details)
    • Payment by grant from SDF Fund (contact SDWF for details)
    • Payment by credit card. When a credit card is used, a transaction fee of a minimum $54.00 (per $2,000) will be applied to help reduce our operating costs.
    • Matching Funds from Employer.
      Many organizations support their employee's charitable contributions with matching funds. The SDWF encourages all members to seek additional contributions through employer matching fund programs.

  4. Is my membership contribution tax deductible?
    All contributions to The San Diego Women's Foundation are fully tax-deductible.

  5. Where does my membership contribution go?
    $900 of your contribution will go into The SDWF Endowment Fund which is kept in perpetuity to provide income for the benefit of The San Diego Women's Foundation. $900 of your contribution goes into The SDWF Grants Fund all of which is granted annually into the community. $200 (10%) of your contribution will go the Operating Fund which supports our Education programs and our operating expenses. The percentage of funds allocated to the Operating Fund and Education programs is reviewed annually and will never exceed 10%.

  6. What are the funds set up for The SDWF?

    • The SDWF Endowment Fund (endowment)
      Half of each member’s contribution goes into this fund. The Endowment Fund is kept in perpetuity to provide income for the benefit of The SDWF. It is managed in The San Diego Foundation’s Balanced Pool and is invested in 65% equities/35% bonds. Income from this fund is distributed to The SDWF Operating Fund to offset our operating expenses.

    • The SDWF Non-Endowment Fund (grant fund)
      Half of each member’s contribution goes into this fund. The purpose of the Grant Fund is to annually grant its entire balance in The SDWF area of philanthropy. The Grant Fund is invested in The SDF Non-Endowment Fund – Pool A, a 100% money market fund, because liquidity is essential.

    • The SDWF Operating Fund
      This fund was established for the operating costs of The SDWF. The Fund’s revenue sources are the Endowment Fund payout, individual member support specifically directed to the Operating Fund, and the generous support of The SDF. A budget is prepared and approved by The SDWF Board for each fiscal year.

  7. How is The SDWF Endowment Fund managed and invested?
    The SDWF Endowment Fund is held in The San Diego Foundation's Balanced Pool Fund. The commitment of The San Diego Foundation is to maintain the charitable assets entrusted to them. Investment policy direction and oversight is the responsibility of the Investment Committee of the SDF Board of Governors. Approximately $180 million is invested in 65% equity and 35% fixed income funds. The investment strategy is broad diversification to reduce the overall risk of the portfolio and to provide for long-term growth.

  8. What does it mean to be a “supporting organization” of The San Diego Foundation?
    A charitable entity called a “supporting organization” functions like a private foundation. It ties to a community foundation; however, qualify it for the superior tax considerations reserved for public charities and greater cost efficiencies, as well.

  9. How does a Supporting Organization of the San Diego Foundation work?
    A supporting organization is a distinct legal entity affiliated with The San Diego Foundation by both its purposes and its operations. It may have its own letterhead, checkbook, investment manager, and may even publish its own annual report. The board of the supporting organization decides when and to whom grants will be given. For more information and guidelines see http://www.sdfoundation.org/resources/supportingorgs.

  10. How was The San Diego Women’s Foundation formed as a Supporting Organization?
    The SDWF was formed through Articles of Incorporation for a California nonprofit public benefit corporation. The SDWF has bylaws for the governance of the organization.

  11. What does The San Diego Foundation provide the SDWF?
    Since the founding of the SDWF, The San Diego Foundation has generously provided administrative, financial, and grant making services and support. Direct staff support (salaries, taxes, benefits, and personal expenses) and overhead, meeting space, investment management, and other SDF resources have been provided. Presently, revenue from the SDWF Endowment Fund is the primary source of funding for our operating costs. However, annually the President of TSDF and the current and past Presidents of SDWF meet to discuss mutual financial commitments for SDWF’s operating costs. We are grateful for the continued financial support of The San Diego Foundation.

  12. What is the arrangement with The San Diego Foundation (TSDF) regarding the use of staff time?
    All SDWF operating costs, including the cost of SDF staff support, have been covered by TSDF. Revenue from the SDWF Endowment Fund is the primary source of funding for our operating costs. Annually the President of TSDF and the current and past Presidents of SDWF meet to discuss mutual financial commitments for SDWF’s operating costs.