Funding Guidelines

SDG&E is committed to investing in innovative projects and programs through our corporate giving program. SDG&E supports and partners with hundreds of community-based nonprofit organizations in San Diego and south Orange Counties to: 

  • Champion environmental programs and projects that support nature-based solutions and integrate climate science education in formal and informal learning spaces  

  • Prepare communities for emergencies, support public safety and strengthen the capacity of emergency responders 

  • Inspire and prepare the next generation of diverse STEM leaders in our communities 

  • Support economic prosperity programs and workforce development programs by advancing the education and employment of tomorrow’s workforce 

SDG&E gives preferential consideration to programs:

  • Rather than one-time events 

  • Aligning with SDG&E’s key giving areas 

  • Supporting diverse and underserved populations 

  • In the SDG&E service area (San Diego County and south Orange County) 

SDG&E does not accept or fund requests for charitable contributions that benefit:

  • Individuals
  • Private foundations, endowment funds, or for-profit organizations
  • Groups that practice discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental disabilities, race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry
  • Sectarian or denominational religious groups, except for programs that are broadly promoted, available to anyone, and free from religious orientation
  • Political parties, candidates, or partisan-political groups

  • Capital-improvements, capital equipment, or building funds 

  • Sporting teams and sporting events, including golf tournaments 

  • Individual schools, individual school foundations, or school districts 

  • Programs primarily focused on the arts and humanities 

  • Programs whose beneficiaries are outside of San Diego County and south Orange County 

  • General operating expenses that are unrelated to the execution of the proposed program or project 

  • Travel expenses not directly related and necessary to the execution of the project 

  • Loans or loan guarantees 

  • Debt reduction or past operating deficits 

  • Liquidation of an organization 

  • Reducing or donating the cost of any natural gas or electrical service 

To apply for funding, please email our Community Relations team with a brief description of your program or project. 

Technical Questions About Online Applications 

The following information relates to using our online application system.

If the organization has applied in the past, it is best to use those same login credentials.  If you do not have that information, you will need to create a username and password.   

First time applicants must create a username and password, which will be used each time you log in to the grant application system.  

The nonprofit’s tax ID is the nine-digit federal tax ID issued by the IRS, otherwise known as an employer identification number (EIN) (e.g. tax ID #12-3456789). If your organization does not have IRS tax-exempt status but is applying using an eligible fiduciary or fiscal agent, continue with the instructions below:  

  • Once you log in with your username and password, you will be prompted to enter a tax ID. Enter the fiduciary or fiscal agent’s federal tax ID. 
  • In the Organization Information section:  
    • Organization name: name of your organization or local chapter  
    • Legal name: name of the fiduciary or fiscal agent  

 No, you can start the application and save it to finish later. Click on the "Save and Finish Later" button at the bottom of the page. You will get an automated email letting you know that you have successfully saved your in-progress application.   

After clicking on “Save and Finish Later” button, you will receive an automated email with a link to access your application. Click on the link and enter your login credentials. You will be brought to a yellow screen that shows your in-progress applications. Click on the version you want to review.   

Once your application is completed and all attachments are uploaded, click the "Review & Submit" button at the bottom of the last page. When you are ready to submit, click the “Submit” button at the bottom of the page. An automated confirmation email will be sent to you that includes the content of your application. Keep this email for your records.   

Add [email protected] to your email address book to ensure these messages arrive in your inbox.

If you are still unsuccessful with accessing your account, please contact [email protected]. 

Be sure you are using the link provided in the automated email you received the last time you clicked “Save and Finish Later” on your application.  If you are taken to a new application, you may not be using the correct link to get back to your account.  

Once logged in, you will see all pending and submitted applications for that account. Use the drop-down on the right side of the page to toggle between In Progress Applications and Submitted Applications.  

  

If you logged in to work on an in-progress application and saw a blank page, you did not choose the "Save & Finish Later" button before you exited the program, and your work was not saved. You will need to start a new application.  

Confirm the email address you are using is the same as the one you used to initially create an account. 

For additional technical support with your application, contact [email protected].