Home / Become a Founding Donor

Fund the work
the City cannot.

Founding donors fund the seed work that makes everything else possible — legal & filing fees, the first Volunteer Task Force operations, restroom adoption supplies, and the De Anza Natural match. Your gift today force-multiplies through every volunteer hour, every adopted restroom, and every matching grant it unlocks.

Why give now

The first dollars are the most important dollars.

Founding-donor support unlocks everything: it pays the legal fees that secure 501(c)(3) status; it funds the first restroom adoptions; it provides the match required for major California Coastal Conservancy and foundation grants; and it pays for the unified-voice work in front of City Council, the Coastal Commission, and the public.

"Private philanthropy and corporate partnerships will create a reliable revenue stream that supplements — never replaces — city resources."

We are launching today. We do not have a board yet. We do not have tax-exempt status yet. But we have a clear vision, a proven model, and the will to act now. Founding donors get acknowledged in our launch materials, included in our quarterly transparency reports, and have direct access to leadership.

Founding gifts

Founding-donor levels.

One-time gifts that recognize your role at the moment we launched. All founding donors are listed on our launch materials (with permission) and receive quarterly impact updates.

$250

Founding Friend

Get the work moving. The first dollars matter most.

  • Founding Friend recognition
  • Quarterly impact report
  • Invitation to launch event
$1,000

Founding Steward

Fund a month of restroom-adoption supplies. Quietly transformative.

  • All Founding Friend benefits
  • Listed on launch materials (opt-in)
  • Founder briefing call (group)
$5,000

Founding Trustee Circle

Cover the seed legal & filing fees in full. Unlock everything else.

  • All previous benefits
  • Direct line to leadership
  • Named on transparency report
  • Annual founder dinner invitation
$25,000+

De Anza Natural Founder

Anchor the philanthropic match for the De Anza Natural Phase 1 construction.

  • All previous benefits
  • Named on De Anza dedication
  • Quarterly leadership briefings
  • Site walk with founder

How to give

The path that works for you.

Multiple options. We'll send a confirmation and tax letter once 501(c)(3) status is confirmed.

One-time gift

Make a one-time founding gift now. Contact us to arrange a wire, check, or stock transfer.

Email to give

Monthly giving

Become a recurring donor and provide sustaining monthly support.

Recurring Donor →

Corporate partnerships

Brand alignment with San Diego's most beloved waterfront. Naming, sponsorship, employee volunteer programs.

Talk to us

Foundations & grants

National and regional foundations — we are happy to walk through our theory of change, logic model, and metrics in detail.

Schedule a briefing

Allow Mission Bay Park to succeed.

The first dollars are the leverage every future dollar relies on.

Become a founding donor Recurring Donor Founding Board interest

Mission Bay Park Conservancy is a citizen-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2026. Tax-exempt status pending. Donations may be tax-deductible pending IRS determination. Founding donors will receive a tax letter once tax-exempt status is confirmed.