RISE San Diego

What RISE San Diego does

RISE San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Diego, California, with a mission to elevate and advance urban leadership through dialogue-based civic engagement, nonprofit partnerships, and direct training. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs delivered across San Diego County, including the RISE Urban Leadership Fellows Program (11 cohorts graduated through 2026), On the RISE (a youth leadership program for high school students ages 16-18), RISE Resilience & Renewal (a whole-body leadership program for nonprofit executives), RISE Arts, RISE Consult (DEIA and organizational consulting), the CREATE Series for Artists, the Community Impact Showcase, RISE Now, and the annual Inclusive Leadership in Action (ILIA) Awards. Underlying program design draws on adaptive leadership frameworks, group relations theory, the Social Change Model of Leadership Development, polyvagal theory, and cultural competency principles, with facilitation led by PhD-credentialed program leads from the University of San Diego.

RISE generates revenue primarily through philanthropic grants from core foundations (Prebys Foundation, Parker Foundation, San Diego Foundation, Alliance Healthcare Foundation), corporate sponsorships (SDG&E, AT&T, Qualcomm, Cox Communications, US Bank, UPS, Wells Fargo, Southwest Airlines, and others), and individual donations processed via GiveLively; programs are delivered at no or minimal cost to participants. The organization maintains GuideStar Platinum transparency status, is governed by an independent board of directors, and reports no parent company or subsidiary structure. Its competitive position is anchored in a 25+ partner ecosystem spanning funders, universities, community organizations, and cultural venues across San Diego County, with notable alumni such as Monica Montgomery Steppe (San Diego County Supervisor District Four, RISE Fellow Class of 2017).

Name

RISE San Diego

Legal name

RISE San Diego

Website

https://risesandiego.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

RISE San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 that delivers urban leadership development, civic engagement, and DEIA capacity-building programs to residents, nonprofits, youth, and artists across San Diego County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Leadership Development

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

akta.pro primary industry

DEI, Culture & Employee Engagement Training (BPACANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

DEI, Equity & Inclusion Training (EDABAIAF), Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA)

Keywords

• Leadership development programs
• Civic engagement services
• Nonprofit capacity building
• DEIA consulting services
• Youth leadership training

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Foundation Support: RISE San Diego operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 47-1583475) funded primarily through grants from foundations such as Prebys Foundation, Parker Foundation, and San Diego Foundation, as well as corporate sponsorships.
2. Individual Donations: The organization accepts individual donations through GiveLively platform (https://secure.givelively.org/donate/rise-san-diego) and other fundraising channels.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor programs and events including SDG&E, AT&T, Cox Communications, US Bank, Qualcomm, and others.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

RISE San Diego designs and delivers leadership development, civic engagement, and DEIA training programs for urban residents, nonprofit leaders, youth, and BIPOC artists in San Diego County. Its portfolio includes cohort-based fellowships, youth leadership programs, organizational equity consulting, capacity-building training, and arts programs, funded through grants, sponsorships, and donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Product overview

RISE San Diego offers a portfolio of interconnected leadership development and civic engagement programs. The core offerings include the RISE Urban Leadership Fellows Program for adult community leaders, On the RISE for youth (ages 16-18), and RISE Resilience & Renewal for nonprofit executives. Service offerings include RISE Consult (DEIA training and organizational consulting) and Nonprofit Partnerships Training. Arts programming encompasses RISE Arts, the CREATE Series for Artists, and the annual ILIA Awards. Civic engagement programs include Community Impact Showcase, RISE Now, and RISE Urban Breakfast Club. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with programs delivered in-person and online throughout San Diego County.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RISE Arts: Program nurturing, advocating, and amplifying the intersection of arts and social justice in San Diego to support artists and emerging organizations with roots in communities of color.
• RISE Consult
• RISE Resilience & Renewal
• RISE Urban Leadership Fellows Program
• On the RISE
• RISE Now
• RISE Urban Breakfast Club

Products and services

• RISE Urban Leadership Fellows Program A comprehensive leadership development fellowship for adult urban residents in San Diego County that uses adaptive leadership frameworks, group relations theory, and cultural competency to empower leaders tackling complex community challenges. Participants develop Community Action Projects (CAPstones) to drive positive change.
• On the RISE

Quantifiable outcome

• 11 cohorts of Urban Leadership Fellows graduated since 2014
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• SDG&EmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting RISE programs including On the RISE youth leadership program and various community events.
• AT&TmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing financial and marketing support for community programs.
• Cox CommunicationsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting RISE events and programs.
• US BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting community leadership and development programs.
• QualcommmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology corporate sponsor supporting regional community initiatives.
• UPSmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting RISE programs and events.
• SycuanmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting community programs and initiatives.
• Wells FargomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting regional community development initiatives.
• Southwest AirlinesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing transportation and travel support for community programs.
• Union BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting community and economic development initiatives.
• Barnes & ThornburgmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLaw firm sponsor supporting legal community and nonprofit sector initiatives.
• Biocom CaliforniamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLife sciences industry association sponsor supporting regional initiatives.
• San Diego County Water AuthoritymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional water authority sponsor supporting community infrastructure programs.
• Jewish Family ServicemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial services nonprofit sponsor supporting community welfare initiatives.
• Sudberry PropertiesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate development company sponsor supporting community projects.
• Affirmed HousingmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffordable housing developer sponsor supporting housing and community development.
• LEAD San DiegomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeadership development organization partner collaborating on regional leadership initiatives.
• MAACmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity development organization partner supporting housing, economic development, and community services.
• SD PridemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ+ advocacy organization partner supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• COSD (Chamber of Commerce)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of commerce partner supporting business and community development.
• School of Leadership and Education FoundationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation-focused foundation partner supporting leadership development programs.
• San Diego Workforce PartnershipmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development organization partner supporting employment and career programs.
• USD Nonprofit InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of San Diego program providing academic resources and expertise for nonprofit leadership development, supporting the RISE Resilience & Renewal program.
• Movement Matters CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSomatic movement and wellness organization partnering on trauma-informed leadership approaches for the Resilience & Renewal program.
• Urban Restoration Counseling CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounseling center providing trauma-informed mental health expertise for nonprofit leader wellness programs.
• DETOURmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth empowerment organization partner supporting On the RISE youth leadership program with resources and mentorship.
• First Gen ScholarsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst-generation college student support organization partnering on youth development and educational opportunity programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Coro Foundation: Coro is a nonprofit civic leadership development organization offering cohort-based fellowship programs that train emerging leaders across sectors. Directly comparable to RISE's Urban Leadership Fellows Program in methodology (experiential cohort-based civic training) and target audience (emerging diverse community leaders).
• LEAD San Diego: LEAD San Diego is a regional leadership development nonprofit operating within the same San Diego geography as RISE, running cohort programs and civic engagement events for emerging leaders. Explicitly listed as a RISE strategic partner, and serves a closely overlapping community leadership audience.
• National Equity Project: National Equity Project is a leadership and equity-focused consulting organization that partners with schools, districts, and nonprofits on equity transformation. Directly comparable to RISE Consult and Resilience & Renewal programs in applying adaptive leadership frameworks to advance equity in organizations.
• Management Leadership for Tomorrow: MLT is a national nonprofit that develops leadership capacity for underrepresented individuals through career advancement and fellowship programs. Comparable to RISE Urban Leadership Fellows and On the RISE youth program in targeting underrepresented leaders with structured leadership pathways.
• Race Forward: Race Forward is a national nonprofit advancing racial equity through research, advocacy, and training programs for organizations and communities. Comparable to RISE Consult and broader equity-grounded programming in applying racial equity frameworks to leadership and organizational change.
• Institute for Nonprofit Practice: INP is a national nonprofit providing leadership development and capacity-building programs specifically for nonprofit leaders and managers. Directly comparable to RISE Resilience & Renewal program in targeting nonprofit executives with structured leadership development curricula.
• Echoing Green: Echoing Green identifies and invests in emerging social change leaders through fellowship programs and leadership development. Comparable to RISE Urban Leadership Fellows in cohort-based fellowship model targeting leaders advancing community change.

Broad incumbents

• Center for Creative Leadership: CCL is a globally recognized leadership development provider serving corporate, nonprofit, and public-sector clients with research-backed programs. Comparable to RISE as a leadership development organization, but operates at much greater scale with proprietary research and global delivery.
• Aspen Institute: Aspen Institute is a major national nonprofit convening leaders across sectors through fellowship programs, policy initiatives, and civic dialogue. Comparable to RISE in its civic engagement and leadership convening mission, but operates at national/international scale with broader policy focus.

Others

• San Diego Workforce Partnership: SDWP is a regional workforce development nonprofit serving San Diego County with employment and career programs. Listed as a RISE strategic partner and operates in the same San Diego civic ecosystem, though focused specifically on workforce rather than civic leadership.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/risesandiego
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@risesandiego
• Facebookfacebook.com/risesandiego
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rise-san-diego
• Instagraminstagram.com/risesandiego

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RISE San Diego