The Donald C. & Elizabeth M. Dickinson Foundation

Foundation Philosophy

Donald and Elizabeth Dickinson believed that the intellectual and physical well being of individuals is strongly influenced by the quality of education and medical care received over their lifetimes; people who are well-educated and healthy are most likely to lead productive lives and make a meaningful contribution to society at large. The Dickinson's felt that established educational healthcare institutions have the greatest opportunity to meaningfully assist the largest number of individuals; therefore, the institutions sponsoring the most beneficial programs should be supported.

Don and Beth Dickinson lived most of their lives in the San Diego, California area. They were especially drawn to the culture, literature and history of the Western United States. Mr. Dickinson was born in Oklahoma City and they both grew up in Southern California. They traveled extensively throughout the West most of their adult lives, visiting historical sites, attending cultural events and observing the lifestyles of the region. This allowed Mr. Dickinson to pursue his passion of collecting first edition volumes of history of the American West while Mrs. Dickinson collected art and artifacts peculiar to the area. They felt that education and health were important to maintain this unique culture and lifestyle, in the urban as well as the rural areas of the territory. They were involved in many San Diego cultural and artistic activities as well as charities which promoted education and medical research. These interests were the basis upon which the foundation was created.

Dickinson Foundation grants will normally fund scholarships, research, capital projects and Board-defined programs sponsored by established institutions with 501 (c)(3) status. Grants will not be given in support of political campaigns, government organizations, private individuals or shareholders, broad social programs, environmental causes and the like. Grantees must be located in, or the areas around, San Diego, California; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Portland, Oregon; or Honolulu, Hawaii.