San Diego Regional EDC Foundation was established in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) to develop programs aligned with the goals of San Diego Regional EDC. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance regional competitiveness by helping resolve local issues in education and workforce development, through focused programs and initiatives that prepare local students to succeed in high school and beyond.
Our STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education programs help foster success in the technical disciplines in order to enhance the local supply of available skilled professionals. A skilled workforce has long been one of the San Diego region’s competitive advantages, but we are loosing ground as a region, and as a state. The following STEM programs are supported by the Foundation:
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a hands-on engineering curriculum for middle and high school students designed to engage and inspire young people to pursue engineering-related degrees.
FIRST Robotics is an afterschool program run by volunteers to further a student’s curiosity and knowledge for technology by providing a format in which students can compete.
Teachers Support Network is a pilot program designed to address shortfalls in technical education among teachers by connecting STEM industry professionals with math and science teachers.
College and Career Readiness is an initiative to improve high school graduation requirements by making them consistent throughout the region. San Diego County has more than 100 high schools in 18 school districts—each with separate graduation requirements.
The Foundation also works with other programs that support the development of the region's workforce:
Hire-A-Youth Program 
The Foundation supports EDC’s Next Generation Leadership Committee, committed to placing 250 youth in summer jobs throughout San Diego County this year as part of San Diego Workforce Partnership’s (SDWP) Hire-A-Youth program. The Foundation and EDC will help recruit employers willing to hire youth, providing jobs in this economic downturn and helping both the region’s youth and the economy.
Preschool Initiative
With grant support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Foundation initiated a regional Preschool Task Force to strengthen preschool education. Through a data-driven education campaign that informs the business community as to the critical role quality preschool plays in the professional future of children, the Foundation aims to leverage the business community's influence to create higher standards for public preschools.
For more information, or to become involved, please contact:
Jennifer Henry, Executive Director, San Diego Regional Economic Development Foundation
(619) 234-8484 or email.
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