Inspiring Future Leaders

With the Inspiring Future Leaders (IFL) giving initiative, we support programs that develop the next generation's innovative, diverse and talented STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) workforce to drive economic growth and community success.

Inspiring Future Leaders

SDG&E invests in programs that advance K-16 STEM education and leadership development in historically underrepresented communities.

SDG&E launched three new signature initiatives to ensure that every student has equitable access to a
bright future in STEM.
  • SDG&E graduated its pilot cohort of the #BeThatGirl Mentorship Program, championed by SDG&E CEO Caroline Winn. This employee engagement opportunity pairs our women STEM professionals with underrepresented students interested in STEM. Inspiring Future Leaders nonprofit partners nominate their high school to college-aged students to take part in structured mentor sessions, which also serves as a safe space for the participants to ask questions and hear real experiences from industry leaders in STEM. 

  • SDG&E launched its first scholarship program designed to support students of color, girls and women in high school or college who plan on pursuing a degree in a STEM field. The Inspiring Future Leaders STEM Scholarship program provides $10,000 scholarships that can be eligible to be renewed for up to three years – meaning students could receive up to a total of $40,000 in financial aid. Meet our 2023 winners

  • In collaboration with our nonprofit partners, SDG&E helped bring two national programs to San Diego for the first time. Girls Inc. of San Diego County’s Eureka! is a five-year college-based summer intensive program that includes a summer STEM camp at UCSD for rising 8th graders and continues programming for that cohort through high school graduation. The American Heart Association of Southern California’s STEM Goes Red Initiative brings high school students from underserved areas for a day of hands-on STEM activities and heart-health education. 

Grant Details

Thank you for your interest in applying for an Inspiring Future Leaders grant. Applications are no longer being accepted.  If you have questions, contact  sdgecommunity@sdge.com.

SDG&E Inspiring Future Leaders 2024 Grant Recipients 

SDG&E’s Inspiring Future Leaders initiative supports 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that have shown commitment to bridge equity gaps and improve access to STEM education. SDG&E has offered charitable funding under this signature initiative for more than a decade. This includes supporting programs that align with SDG&E’s #BeThatGirl initiative to address the gender equity gap for girls and women interested in pursuing career pathways in STEM, the trades and leadership.  

SDG&E is proud to announce the 2024 recipients of its Inspiring Future Leaders grant initiative. This year, 50+ organizations were awarded close to $1M in shareholder funded grants to develop the next generation’s innovative, diverse and talented STEM workforce to drive economic growth and community success. 

A Step Beyond 

Comic-Con Museum 

Partners In College Success 

All Girls Stem Society 

DETOUR Empowers 

Parent Institute for Quality Education 

Alpine Education Foundation Inc. 

Earl B Gilliam Bar Foundation Inc of San Diego County 


Pro Kids, First Tee - San Diego 

Armed Services YMCA of the USA 

Elementary Institute of Science 

Project Next 

AZ Cyber Initiative 

First Gen Scholars 

Promises2Kids 

Barrio Logan College Institute 

Fleet Science Center 

Reality Changers 

Basic Assistance To Students In The Community (BASIC) 

Girl Scouts San Diego 

RISE Urban Leadership Institute Of San Diego 

Big Brothers Big Sisters Of San Diego County 

Girls Inc. of San Diego County

Salk Institute 
Blue Heart Foundation  Junior Achievement - San Diego  San Diego Air and Space Museum 

Boys & Girls Club, East County 

Just In Time for Foster Youth

San Diego Childrens Discovery Museum 

Boys & Girls Clubs, North County 

Lifeline Community Services 

San Diego Public Library Foundation 

Boys & Girls Clubs, Oceanside 

Links Foundation Inc - San Diego Chapter  San Diego Squared 
California State University San Marcos Foundation  MANA de North County San Diego  San Diego State University - The Campanile Foundation 
Carlsbad Educational Foundation  MANA de San Diego  Somali Family Service of San Diego 
Casa De Amistad  Mandate Project Impact  The Preuss School UC San Diego 
Casa Familiar  Media Arts Center San Diego  USS Midway Museum 
Cesar Chavez Service Clubs  Monarch School  Women In Cyber Security 
Chula Vista Public Library Foundation  Our Genetic Legacy  Women of Color Roar Media 
Classroom of the Future Foundation  Pacific Arts Movement  YMCA of San Diego County 

SDG&E Finds the Eureka!
Moment with Girls Inc. 

Girls Inc. of San Diego is helping shape the future workforce by equipping youth with the necessary people, programming, and environment to succeed. They have found that as young girls transition from elementary to middle school, they are more likely to defer from pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). 

As part of SDG&E’s #BeThatGirl initiative, SDG&E funded the program’s arrival in San Diego to further encourage 25 rising eighth grade girls from Knox, Mission and Rincon Middle schools that have shown that spark for STEM. Over four weeks, they filled the classrooms and explored the UC San Diego campus to embark on the start of their five-year Eureka! journey.  

More Information

For questions about your application, visit our Funding Guidelines page.