San Diego Foundation headquarters against a dusk sky. (File photo courtesy of the foundation)
The San Diego Foundation has awarded $500,000 in grants to nine nonprofits expanding mental health services for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander youth and young people aged 15–24 in San Diego County.
“Our recent State of San Diego Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians & Pacific Islanders Report found that suicide is the leading cause of death for California’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander young people,” said Amenah Gulamhusein, senior director of Strategic Initiatives at SDF. “Focusing on well-being while providing and destigmatizing access to mental and behavioral health services is critical to addressing this issue in our community alongside our nonprofit partners.”
The grants will support programs that provide mental health screening, treatment, and supportive interventions; build intergenerational connections; create leadership and mentorship opportunities for youth; and offer educational resources to reduce stigma and increase access to care.
The 2025 grantees include:
- Vietnamese American Youth Alliance – $65,000 for a community health and mental health program.
- Karen Organization of San Diego – $50,000 for peer-based, trauma-informed youth intervention.
- Ahaaana – $60,000 for trauma-informed spaces for youth and adults.
- Asian Pacific Islander Community Actions – $65,000 for Mental Health Meriendas and leadership opportunities with clinicians and social workers.
- California State University San Marcos Foundation – $50,000 for PIC Health Youth, a resilience and leadership program with a tailored app.
- Miramar College Foundation – $50,000 for wraparound student mental health support.
- Taupou Samoa Cultural Arts – $55,000 for the Tu I Luga youth program.
- The Bridge Lab Foundation – $50,000 for the Frontline program, providing preventative care for youth.
- The Samoa Association San Diego – $55,000 for healthcare education and outreach.
San Diego County has the seventh-largest AANHPI community in the country. The State of San Diego AANHPI Report, commissioned by SDF and developed with the Policy & Innovation Center, highlighted significant disparities, including that 30% of AANHPI community members face barriers to accessing health services due to cost, lack of awareness, limited insurance coverage, and language access, according to a news release.
Funding comes from the Lotus Fund at San Diego Foundation, created with a $2.5 million endowment to celebrate AANHPI heritage and support critical community needs. The Lotus Fund is part of SDF’s Fifty & Forward campaign, which aims to grant $500 million to local nonprofits and raise $1 billion to support San Diego’s future.
More information is available at SDFoundation.org/50.