FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2026
Contact:
Cass Kaminetz, Executive Director
(858)576-0590
cass@chfsd.org
Children’s Health Foundation Announces 2026 Special Grants Recipients
The Foundation awarded twenty-eight grants totaling $395,998 to San Diego and Imperial County nonprofits that provide health-related services to children ages 0-17.
SAN DIEGO – Children’s Health Foundation (formerly Rest Haven Children’s Health Fund), a nonprofit foundation supporting health-related services for underserved children in San Diego and Imperial Counties, recently awarded $395,998 in grants to 28 area nonprofit organizations through its 2026 Special Grants annual funding cycle. This amount is nearly double the Foundation’s annual average of $200,000.
“Every child deserves access to the care and support they need to thrive, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances,” said Chris Bryant Nilsson, board chair of Children’s Health Foundation. “By nearly doubling our typical annual Special Grants funding, we’re helping 28 nonprofit partners reach more children and address health needs that might otherwise go unmet. We’re proud to support these organizations and the vital work they do for families across San Diego and Imperial counties.”
The Special Grants competitive annual grant process was established in 2008, with nearly $3.8 million distributed since the program’s inception. During that time, eighty-five San Diego and Imperial County nonprofit organizations that share Children’s Health Foundation’s mission and vision have received funding.
The 2026 Special Grants recipients are as follows:
- American Academy of Pediatrics CA Chapter 3 (AAP-CA3)
- Aseltine School
- Autism Society San Diego
- Autism Tree Project, Inc.
- Christie’s Place
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County
- Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos
- Boys & Girls Club of Vista
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego
- Burn Institute
- Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego
- Chicano Federation of San Diego County, Inc.
- ConnectMed International
- FundaMental Health
- Girls Rising
- Home of Guiding Hands
- Home Start, Inc.
- Imperial Valley Food Bank
- Ivey Ranch Park Association
- MANA de San Diego
- Palomar Family Counseling Service, Inc.
- Promises2Kids
- San Diego Center for Children
- San Diego Pride
- San Ysidro Health
- The Elizabeth Hospice
- TransFamily Support Services
- Voices for Children
In addition to annual Special Grants, the Foundation provides emergency funding for children throughout the year through its Emergency Assistance Program. Service providers who identify a child with a health-related need that is unmet due to lack of funding can learn more at chfsd.org.
Starting in the 2027 annual grant cycle, Special Grants will be renamed “Children’s Impact Grants” to reflect the direct impact these funds have on the lives of the children served by grantee organizations. Children’s Impact Grants will continue to be open annually in early spring for local nonprofits to submit applications requesting funding.
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