The La Jolla Community Foundation (LJCF) was established in 2008 as an affiliate of the San Diego Foundation (SDF), to inspire pooled philanthropy and private investment. The goal was to improve infrastructure and enhance public spaces in the community. In April 2022, the LJCF was awarded an independent 501(c)(3) status, which allows the foundation to be more responsive to the needs of La Jolla.

We encourage civic engagement through local philanthropy; and enhance the aesthetic character of the community through investment in a variety of public art forms.

The LJCF provides La Jolla community members a vehicle for legacy planning and gifts and encourages the creation of special project funds that will benefit La Jolla.

To create a unifying vision for capital improvements and private investments in La Jolla, in 2018 the LJCF commissioned development of a “Streetscape Plan” for the Village.

Our mission is to support the development, launch and completion of improvement projects and services that enhance the environmental, cultural and commercial community of La Jolla.

Our purpose is to encourage civic engagement and foster a sense of community and connection among La Jollans.

COMMUNITY BUILDING | Create inviting public spaces to bring people together and improve quality of life.

ACCESSIBILITY & SAFETY | Initiate and support capital improvement projects to create a more vibrant and connected community.

EXPAND PEDESTRIAN REALM | Enhance opportunities for walking, biking, and other alternative forms of transportation.

ENGAGE KEY STAKEHOLDERS | Support Local Businesses, Residents, Property Owners, & Visitors

In order to make improvements to property in the public right-of-way, the La Jolla Community Foundation (LJCF) initiated and was instrumental in forming the Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) and Enhance La Jolla, a 501(c)(3), which manages MAD.

Past projects include the Murals of La Jolla public art project, the Coastal Environmental Pedestals at the Birch Aquarium and the Forum, and in partnership with Enhance La Jolla, the preservation of the fire pits at La Jolla Shores beach, and upgrading the traffic teardrop on La Jolla Parkway.

To create a unifying vision for capital improvements and private investments in La Jolla, in 2018 the LJCF commissioned M.W. Steele Group, an award-winning architecture, interior, planning and urban design firm, for the creation of a “Streetscape Plan” for the Village in collaboration with regional partners.

In 2008, local community leaders Murray Galinson, Andy Nelson, George Hauer and Phyllis Pfeiffer met to discuss ways to improve La Jolla’s public spaces. Inspired by how the Marin Community Foundation transformed the county on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge, they resolved to create a community foundation to focus on badly needed infrastructure projects. The goal was to use pooled philanthropy and private investment to enhance the aesthetic character of the community by funding public art installations and making landscape and architectural improvements.

The La Jolla Community Foundation (LJCF) was established in 2008 as an affiliate of the San Diego Foundation (SDF) and in 2022 was reorganized as an independent 501(c)(3). Memberships, donations and grants are now made directly to the LJCF.

Revitalizing the Village of La Jolla; In partnership with the La Jolla Community Foundation

In working with the City of San Diego, it became apparent that a Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) was required in order to make improvements to property in the public right-of-way. To achieve our mission, La Jolla Community Foundation was instrumental in forming Enhance La Jolla, a 501(c)(3) organization that manages the MAD in the Village of La Jolla. In addition to undertaking the leadership role, the LJCF underwrote all the legal, marketing and engineering expenses involved in creation of Enhance La Jolla and the MAD.

The district includes residential, commercial, public, and non-profit property owners in the La Jolla Village.  Property owners pay an annual assessment through their property taxes, with the funds being dedicated exclusively to providing landscape and maintenance services that benefit the Village.

ELJ is dedicated to the maintenance and physical improvement of the Village of La Jolla. The organization’s primary goal is to ensure that the Village remains the jewel of San Diego, creating inviting public spaces that bring people together and improve the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors.

In addition to managing the Maintenance Assessment District (MAD), Enhance La Jolla (ELJ) partners with the La Jolla Community Foundation (LJCF) to implement privately contracted capital projects. 

Since 2008, the LJCF has been working on improvement projects that enhance the community. Through the generous support of donors, the LJCF completed a number of successful initiatives. Most notably, the LJCF led and underwrote the formation of the Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) in the Village and launched and developed the Murals of La Jolla, now a project of the Athenaeum. Our community has benefited from the MAD with street cleaning, additional trash pick-up, and attractive landscaping. The Murals of La Jolla program is now a distinguishing feature of the community and has made it an art destination.

Overview of past projects:

• Launched Murals of La Jolla public art project

• Established La Jolla Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) and Enhance La Jolla

• Installed Coastal Environmental Pedestals at the Birch Aquarium and the Forum

• Supported preservation of the fire pits at La Jolla Shores beach [Story in the La Jolla Light]

• Upgraded La Jolla Parkway traffic teardrop [Story in the La Jolla Light]

• Awarded grants to local nonprofit organizations

The LJCF raises funds through membership and donations. To learn more or get involved, please reach out to LJCF’s executive director, Lidia Rossner, at 858-257-7100 or via email at lrossner@ljcommunityfoundation.org.