San Diego Brain Injury Foundation

What San Diego Brain Injury Foundation does

San Diego Brain Injury Foundation (SDBIF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1983 and headquartered at Liberty Station in San Diego, California, with an 11-50 employee base. It serves brain injury survivors, their families, friends, and caregivers across San Diego County, and as of 2026 has announced expansion into Riverside and Imperial Counties of Southern California. SDBIF's mission is to provide information, support, education, and community awareness for individuals affected by traumatic and acquired brain injury, addressing a stated need in which more than 11,000 people in San Diego County are affected by brain injury each year.

SDBIF's core offerings span direct survivor services, residential care, and educational resources. The flagship operational asset is Howard House, a 24-hour Adult Residential Facility licensed through California Community Care Licensing in Escondido, California, housing eight brain injury survivors ages 18-60 and operating at capacity with a documented waiting list. The organization also runs free monthly Saturday Speaker Series events at Liberty Station and satellite locations, a telephone helpline (619-294-6541), peer and caregiver support groups county-wide, $500 educational scholarships, and programs targeted at specific populations including athletes, military/veterans, students, and children. Content assets include the bilingual Journey Towards Recovery Brain Injury Guide, a comprehensive informational video series, a quarterly Brain Injury Press newsletter with 3,500+ circulation, and a curated SDBIF Bookstore with rehabilitation workbooks. SDBIF also maintains a Professional Advisory Council and an advocacy group, and engages in formal partnerships with Sharp Rehabilitation Center, Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, UC San Diego Health East Campus (PALS Program), the San Diego Community College District ABI Program, the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, and the Southern Caregiver Resource Center.

The organization's business model is a non-profit donation-and-grant revenue model. All direct services to beneficiaries are provided free of charge, funded by tax-deductible individual and corporate donations, government grants (with the California Department of Rehabilitation identified as a primary funder), event-based fundraising (the annual Friendraiser gala, surviveHEADSTRONG walk, and Brain Injury Symposium), and bookstore affiliate proceeds. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on hospital and trauma-center outreach to discharge planners and case workers, word-of-mouth referrals, healthcare provider partnerships, and digital channels (website, email newsletter, organic social media) to reach survivors and caregivers across Southern California.

Name

San Diego Brain Injury Foundation

Legal name

San Diego Brain Injury Foundation

Website

https://sdbif.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

San Diego Brain Injury Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1983 that provides free support, education, residential care, and resources to brain injury survivors, families, and caregivers across San Diego County, with 2026 expansion into Riverside and Imperial Counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Brain Injury Support Services (Non-Profit)

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

Keywords

• Brain injury support
• Survivor care services
• Residential care facility
• Caregiver education
• Community support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: SDBIF relies primarily on tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization conducts annual fundraising campaigns including the 'Friends of the Foundation' drive and special events. Donations directly support programs and services for the brain injury community.
2. Grants and Program Funding: The organization receives grant funding from government and private sources. The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is listed as a program funder. Grants support specific programs including Howard House and educational initiatives.
3. Event Revenue: SDBIF generates revenue through fundraising events including the annual Friendraiser gala, surviveHEADSTRONG walk events, and Brain Injury Symposium ticket sales.
4. Bookstore Sales: The SDBIF Bookstore offers books and resources related to brain injury recovery, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SDBIF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing free support, education, and resources to brain injury survivors and their families in San Diego County. Core offerings include Howard House (a 24-hour licensed Adult Residential Facility for 8 residents aged 18-60), educational scholarships, monthly Saturday Speaker Series, peer support groups, the annual Brain Injury Symposium, a quarterly newsletter, and advocacy programs. Services are funded by donations, grants, and fundraising events with no charge to beneficiaries.

Product overview

The San Diego Brain Injury Foundation (SDBIF) operates as a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive suite of programs and services for brain injury survivors and their families. The organization provides residential care through Howard House (a 24-hour facility for 8 residents in Escondido), educational programming including scholarships and Saturday Speaker Series, support groups across San Diego County, an annual Brain Injury Symposium, advocacy efforts, and creative programs like Day of Art and surviveHEADSTRONG events. Additional services include a telephone helpline, quarterly newsletter (Brain Injury Press), informational videos, bookstore with rehabilitation resources, Brain Injury Guide in English and Spanish, technology workshops (ALT Library), and navigation action plans. The organization was founded in 1983 and is expanding into Riverside and Imperial Counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Howard House A 24-hour long and short term Adult Residential Facility (ARF) exclusively for brain injury survivors, male and female, ages 18 to 60, licensed through California Community Care Licensing. Located in Escondido, California and currently home to eight residents with a waiting list.
• Support Groups Various support groups including Survivor Peer-to-Peer Support Group, Friends Family and Caregiver Support Group, and location-specific groups across San Diego County (Central, North, East, South). Provided free to brain injury survivors, families, and caregivers.
• Saturday Speaker Series Monthly educational meetings held on the 3rd Saturday of each month at Liberty Station, featuring speakers of special interest to the brain-injury community. Free and open to survivors, families, caregivers, and professionals.
• SDBIF Brain Injury Symposium Annual symposium serving as a guiding light to navigating the reintegration journey after brain injury for survivors, family, friends, caregivers, and Brain Injury Professionals.
• Educational Scholarships $500 scholarships awarded to deserving brain injury survivors pursuing continuing education. Application deadline closes July 31.
• The Brain Injury Press Newsletter Quarterly newsletter with a circulation of 3,500+ providing news, resources, and information for the brain injury community.
• Journey Towards Recovery Brain Injury Guide A comprehensive guide for families and survivors providing step-by-step tools for the recovery journey, available in English and Spanish as a free download.
• SDBIF Bookstore Online bookstore offering books related to brain injury, brain stimulation activity resources, and workbooks for cognitive rehabilitation, with a portion of proceeds benefiting SDBIF.
• Informational Videos Comprehensive video series on brain injury topics including Saturday Speaker Series recordings, concussion and sports-related content, medical advances, rehabilitation, caregiving, legal strategy, and advocacy.
• Telephone Helpline Information and referral helpline at 619-294-6541 connecting callers to agencies, programs, services and support groups.
• Athletes Program Resources and awareness information for sports and athlete brain injury, including concussion resources from the Visger Group and CDC materials.
• Military Program Resources and support for military personnel with traumatic brain injury, including articles and external support resources such as Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) and PsychArmor Institute referrals.
• surviveHEADSTRONG Event Annual community event bringing together brain injury survivors, families, and supporters for awareness and celebration.
• Day of Art Art program for brain injury survivors providing creative expression and therapeutic activities.
• Advocacy Group Group dedicated to advocacy efforts for brain injury survivors and policy advocacy.
• ALT Library Technology Workshops Technology workshops teaching survivors specific tips and tricks for utilizing technology to help with everyday tasks, including Google Calendar Setup and Planning sessions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11,000+ people affected annually in San Diego County receive support
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Full Metal BurgersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull Metal Burgers formed a new partnership and friendship with SDBIF, supporting Grant Gebler's brain injury journey story and foundation initiatives.
• Sharp Rehabilitation CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSharp Rehabilitation Center partners with SDBIF to provide adaptive sports, recreation, wellness/support programs, and educational speaker series for brain injury survivors. Jointly host survivor activities and support groups.
• Scripps Memorial Hospital EncinitascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScripps Encinitas partners with SDBIF to host Stroke and Brain Injury Support and Education groups, Healing Arts classes, and Brainmasters improvisational speaking group for survivors.
• UC San Diego Health East Campus (PALS Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC San Diego Health East Campus partners with SDBIF through the PALS (Programs for Active Living & Support) program, offering Comebacker's Neuro Club, support groups, art programs, and rehabilitation services for brain injury survivors.
• San Diego Community College District (ABI Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDCCD ABI Program partners with SDBIF to provide educational classes for adults with Acquired Brain Injury at Mesa College and Educational Cultural Complex locations.
• Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDVBIC serves active duty military, their beneficiaries, and veterans with traumatic brain injuries through clinical care, research initiatives and educational programs. SDBIF refers military families to these resources.
• PsychArmor InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPsychArmor Institute provides free online education and support to Americans who work with, live with or care for military service members, Veterans, and their families. SDBIF connects military families to these resources.
• Southern Caregiver Resource CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Southern Caregiver Resource Center provides specialized information, family consultation, respite care, support groups, and education for caregivers. SDBIF refers family members to these services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals Southern California: Large disability services nonprofit operating across Southern California. Comparable as a broader disability-services peer with residential, vocational, and community programs for persons with disabilities including acquired brain injuries.
• Brain Injury Association of America: National umbrella organization for brain injury survivors, families, and professionals. Comparable because it pursues the same awareness, advocacy, and support mission as SDBIF but at national scale with affiliated state chapters.

Direct peers

• Shepherd Center: Atlanta-based neurorehabilitation hospital specializing in brain and spinal cord injury with residential and outpatient programs. Comparable as it delivers the full continuum from acute rehab to community reintegration that SDBIF aspires to.
• Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center: Military-focused TBI clinical care, research, and education program. SDBIF lists DVBIC as a referral partner for its Military program segment, making it directly comparable in serving military and veteran TBI populations.
• Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona: State-level brain injury support, education, and advocacy organization. Comparable as a regional brain injury nonprofit following the same direct-service and community-support model that SDBIF has built in San Diego.
• Bancroft NeuroRehab: Residential and community-based neurorehabilitation provider serving brain injury survivors. Comparable in offering long-term residential care and reintegration services similar to Howard House and SDBIF's community programs.
• California Brain Injury Association: State-level brain injury nonprofit serving California. Directly comparable as a peer nonprofit delivering support groups, education, and advocacy for TBI survivors across the same state where SDBIF is expanding.
• ReMed Recovery Care Centers: Post-acute brain injury rehabilitation provider with residential and community-based programs. Comparable because it delivers the same specialized residential and reintegration services that Howard House provides, though at multiple sites.
• Craig Hospital: Specialized neurorehabilitation hospital and residential program for brain and spinal cord injury in Colorado. Comparable because it combines long-term residential care, outpatient rehabilitation, and community reintegration services for brain injury survivors.
• Southern Caregiver Resource Center: Regional nonprofit providing caregiver support, respite, and education. SDBIF refers families to this organization, indicating directly comparable caregiver-focused nonprofit mission in overlapping Southern California geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SDBIF
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-diego-brain-injury-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 San Diego Brain Injury Foundation