Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego

What Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego does

Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego (PDFSD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Diego, California, with a volunteer staff of 1-10. The foundation's core mission is to prevent drowning by funding swim lessons and water safety education for underserved youth across San Diego County who have limited financial or logistical access to swimming instruction. Its principal program, the SD Swims Grant Program, distributes grants to schools, nonprofits, and pool operators (60 grants totaling $300,000 impacting 8,821+ youth in 2025), with priority placed on communities in 4th Quartile Health Places Index (HPI) areas and 5th grade classrooms. Complementary programs include the San Diego Junior Lifeguard scholarship pipeline (~60 scholarships annually), the Pools to Schools program (launched 2024 with the San Diego Unified School District), and the Water Watcher Tag and Safety Card active-supervision tools.

The foundation is funded through a diversified mix of individual donations, government and institutional grants (most notably $250,000 from the County of San Diego plus First 5 San Diego funding), corporate sponsorships (Verizon, La Jolla Kiwanis Club, IPSSA San Diego Chapter), and event fundraising through signature events such as the 35th Annual Pier Jump, Monster Mash, Hawaii Day, and the Swim 24 Challenge. Distribution is regional, reaching from San Marcos in the north to San Ysidro in the south and Borrego Springs in the east, and increasingly state-level through the California Water Safety Coalition and the 2023 California Water Safety Strategy. The organization underwent a 2017 rebrand from the San Diego Junior Lifeguard Foundation to broaden its mission beyond junior lifeguard support into broader drowning prevention, and is led by President Nicole McNeil following a transition from Buc Buchanan.

Name

Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego

Legal name

Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego

Website

https://preventdrowningfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds swim lessons and water safety education for underserved youth across San Diego County through grants, scholarships, and community partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aquatics Programs (Pools, Swim Lessons, Lifeguarding) (EDALAIAF), Lifeguard, Water Rescue & Aquatic Safety Training (EDAOAMAJ)

Keywords

• Water safety education
• Drowning prevention programs
• Swim lesson funding
• Nonprofit grant programs
• Aquatic safety initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations from donors and community supporters constitute a primary revenue stream, enabling the foundation to fund swim lessons and water safety programs for underserved youth.
2. Grants from Government and Institutions: Funding from County of San Diego ($250,000 grant), First 5 San Diego, and other institutional funders to expand swim lesson and water safety grant programs.
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated from signature events including the Annual Pier Jump, Monster Mash fundraiser, and Hawaii Day fundraiser that support Junior Lifeguard scholarships and swim lesson programs.
4. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Support from corporate sponsors and partners such as Verizon, La Jolla Kiwanis Club, IPSSA, and other organizations that fund drowning prevention and water safety education programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds and coordinates free swim lessons and water safety education programs for underserved youth across San Diego County. It acts as a regional grant-making hub that distributes funds (e.g., 60 grants totaling $300,000 in 2025) to schools, community organizations, and pool operators, while also awarding Junior Lifeguard scholarships and producing public awareness tools such as the Water Watcher Tag and SD Swim Safer campaign. All programming is delivered free of charge to beneficiaries and supported through donations, government grants, and event fundraising.

Product overview

The Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego operates as a non-profit organization focused on drowning prevention through water safety education and swim lesson access programs. The organization's core offerings include the SD Swims Grant Program, which funds swim lessons for underserved youth across San Diego County, and the Water Watcher program with both physical tags and safety cards promoting active supervision. Supporting programs include the San Diego Junior Lifeguard Scholarship program, Pools to Schools initiative, and the Book Pool Literacy Outreach Program. Signature fundraising events include the annual Pier Jump (35th year), Monster Mash fundraiser, and Hawaii Day. The SD Swim Safer campaign (sdswimsafer.org) serves as a public awareness initiative with bilingual water safety materials and community education resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SD Swims Grant Program Grant program that funds swim lessons and water safety education for schools, nonprofit organizations, and pool partners in San Diego County. In 2025, coordinated 60 grants distributing $300,000 and impacting more than 8,821 youth, with priority for programs serving 4th Quartile Health Places Index communities and 5th grade classrooms.
• San Diego Junior Lifeguard Scholarships Scholarship program providing full financial support for youth to participate in the San Diego Junior Lifeguard Program, covering swim lessons, program equipment, and resources. Supports approximately 60 Junior Lifeguards annually through partnership with San Diego Lifeguard Service.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% reduction in drowning likelihood for children who receive formal swimming lessons
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• County of San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022County of San Diego provided $250,000 grant through Board of Supervisors to expand swim lesson and water safety grant programs. The partnership also includes First 5 San Diego funding for education and outreach around drowning prevention methods.
• American Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing water safety resources, swim instruction support, and collaborative drowning prevention initiatives.
• City of San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity provides pool facilities through Parks and Recreation Department, supports junior lifeguard program through San Diego Lifeguard Service, and collaborates on water safety initiatives.
• San Diego Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'Pools to Schools' program teaching children to swim and bringing water safety education to classrooms. District collaborates with foundation on grant-funded swim lesson programs.
• YMCA (San Diego)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMCA serves as a primary pool partner providing facilities for swim lessons. Ryan Family YMCA and other local YMCA branches collaborate on SD Swims Grant programs.
• San Diego Fire RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFire department collaborates on water safety education, drowning prevention awareness, and community outreach initiatives.
• Safe Kids San DiegosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner focused on childhood injury prevention including drowning, providing collaborative resources and outreach.
• San Diego Lifeguard ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates the San Diego Junior Lifeguard Program in partnership with the foundation. Provides facilities, instruction, and operational support for youth aquatic training.
• Fish Shop (Pacific Beach and Point Loma)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partners donating 10% of sales during Pier Jump events and 50 cents per elote taco sold to support San Diego Junior Lifeguards.
• Mental Health America of San DiegosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pools to Schools program with funding from San Diego County Health and Human Services to teach children to swim and provide water safety education.
• NDPA (National Drowning Prevention Alliance)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational coalition member providing resources, conferences, and collaborative drowning prevention efforts.
• California Water Safety CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition that developed the California Water Safety Strategy. Foundation serves as sponsor and collaborative partner in state-wide water safety initiatives.
• City of OceansidesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOceanside Parks & Recreation collaborates on water safety presentations and community outreach for local youth and families.
• City of San Diego Parks and Recreation DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides pool facilities for swim lesson programs and partner in community water safety initiatives. Major renovation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Pool expanded access to swim lessons.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Direct peers

• ZAC Foundation: National drowning prevention foundation that funds swim lesson programs for underserved youth. Directly comparable as a grantmaking nonprofit with overlapping mission and shared corporate sponsor relationships with PDFSD.
• Live Like Jake Foundation: Drowning prevention foundation that provides swim lesson scholarships and water safety education. Directly comparable mission to PDFSD; awarded a Lifetime Achievement Lifesaver Award to a PDFSD board member, indicating close peer network.
• Colin's Hope: Drowning prevention nonprofit focused on water safety awareness and swim lesson access for children. Directly comparable as a community-based foundation operating in the same drowning prevention and water safety education space.
• National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA): National coalition dedicated to reducing drowning through water safety education and advocacy. PDFSD is a coalition member; both organizations operate in the same drowning prevention ecosystem and collaborate on awareness campaigns.
• California Water Safety Coalition: Statewide coalition that developed the California Water Safety Strategy with PDFSD as a sponsor and collaborative partner. Operates in the same drowning prevention advocacy and water safety space at the state policy level.

Broad incumbents

• American Red Cross (Aquatic and Water Safety Programs): Large national organization providing water safety education, swim instruction, and lifeguard training. A PDFSD strategic partner, but operates at far broader scale with national reach and is a broader incumbent in water safety.
• Safe Kids Worldwide: Global nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood injuries including drowning. PDFSD partners with the local San Diego affiliate; comparable in mission scope but operates at significantly broader national/international scale.
• USA Swimming Foundation: National foundation that funds learn-to-swim programs through the 'Make a Splash' initiative, directly targeting the same underserved youth swim instruction mission as PDFSD at far greater scale.

Regional players

• YMCA of San Diego County: Regional YMCA that operates pool facilities and delivers swim lessons, including SD Swims grant-funded programs for PDFSD. A core operational partner but also a regional player in swim instruction competing for the same donor dollars.

Others

• Pool Safely (CPSC): Federal public education campaign by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission focused on pool and water safety. Not a fundraising peer, but operates in the same drowning prevention public awareness space and is a key driver of drowning statistics PDFSD cites.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego