The grant application process depends on the type of grant needed.

Coordinated Funding with AIDS Walk San Diego

In August of each year, SDHFC issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) for one-year projects from HIV/AIDS service providers in San Diego region.

Support for these projects is contributed by local and national funders. The grant period extends from January through December. Awarded grants are allocated and monitored by SDHFC staff.

Here is how the process works:

1) In August, SDHFC issues a Request for Proposals (RFP). Proposals for the coordinated funding with AIDS Walk San Diego are accepted only in August. Please come back to the website on August 1.

2) Proposals are reviewed by an Allocations Committee, which represents SDHFC's Advisory Committee and concerned members of the community.

3) The Allocations Committee meets to discuss each proposal and makes grant award recommendations to the SDHFC Advisory Committee. (Allocations Committee members spend 20 to 30 volunteer hours on this process.)

4) Grants begin on January 1.

5) Grantees must submit a six-month interim report.

6) At the end of the year, grantees must submit a final report. SDHFC staff reviews each report and writes a one-page summary of the organization's accomplishments and challenges during the grant period. In addition, two electronically transmitted reports are required by AIDS United. These forms will be e-mailed to grantees by SDHFC staff.

Emergency Funding

Emergency funding is available at any time of the year. To be eligible, an organization must:

• provide evidence of an unmet need and anticipated loss of client services and not available elsewhere if the requested amount is not awarded;
• provide a written strategy to raise additional funds; and
• demonstrate that if the requested amount is not granted, clients will not be served.
• Should an agency choose to merge with another organization or cease, funding can be sought for the costs associated with transitioning clients to other HIV/AIDS service providers.
• Applicants are required to submit the latest fiscal year end financial statements prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principals (GAAP).

To apply for emergency funding, please send a Letter of Intent (see below) to SDHFC's Advisory Committee.

Special Initiative Funding

What happens if your organization discovers a funding opportunity—for example, a new source of matching funds—that falls outside the regular grant cycle?

To apply for discretionary funding, your organization must describe the funding opportunity in a Letter of Intent. Letters of Intent (see below) are accepted at any time during the year. No unsolicited requests from current SDHFC grantees will be accepted.

Format for the Letter of Intent

The Letter of Intent should be no longer than four pages, and should include the following:

• a brief description of the project or program's target population, including demographics;
• a detailed description of the project, including the rationale (the reason the project or program was developed);
• names and qualifications of the people responsible for developing and implementing the project;
• a brief description of your plan for evaluating the project or program; and
• the name of your organization and the primary contact person.

Enclosed with your letter, you must send:

• a preliminary budget, not to exceed $15,000, using our budget template; and
• a copy of your organization's tax-exempt status letter dated within the past five years. (To request an updated determination letter, contact the IRS at 1-877-829-5500.)

Mail the Letter of Intent and attachments to:

Tony Freeman, Executive Director
San Diego Human Dignity Foundation

P.O. Box 33245

San Diego, CA 92163-3245

For more information, please contact Tony Freeman at (619) 291-3383, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it