Visit the new San Diego Promise Zone website
In 2016, the San Diego Promise Zone became one of 22 federally designated Promise Zones in the United States and one of only four in California. The San Diego Promise Zone covers a 6.4-square-mile targeted area that spans East Village and Barrio Logan east to Encanto and is home to the City’s most culturally rich and ethnically diverse neighborhoods, but also some of the most disadvantaged and underserved communities. More than 80,000 San Diegans live in the Promise Zone, an area where unemployment is high (15.61 percent, pre-pandemic), and poverty is concentrated (39.06 percent).
Through the 
Promise Zone initiative, federal government partners work with local government agencies, community-based organizations, direct service providers, residents, and business owners to streamline resources and deliver comprehensive support. Leading the effort, the City has partnered with numerous local organizations and agencies to develop programs and initiatives in six Working Group goal areas to improve quality of life among Promise Zone residents by:
Our promise is to co-create an ecosystem of opportunity and investment through collaboration that addresses systemic racism and inequities to improve the quality of life of Promise Zone residents. We will do this by fostering partnerships with community-serving organizations, government agencies, philanthropic, corporate, and educational institutions with shared goals. The goals can be reviewed in the SDPZ Ten Year Strategic Plan.
Promise Zone staff provided an informational update to the Economic Development & Intergovernmental Relations City Council Committee on Nov. 17, 2021. Access the presentation slides here.
As part of a multiyear partnership with California Coast Credit Union, the San Diego Promise Zone is administering one-time capacity building, community outreach, and workforce development microgrants of up to $20,000 to support efforts of Promise Zone partners advancing the goals of the designation. The application window closes Jan. 4, 2022.
LEARN MORE AND APPLY: SDPZ Partner Financial Assistance
Series 1 - Getting to a Common Agenda - 12/15/20
Series 2 - Access to Connectivity - 5/18/21
Series 3 - Assessing Access and Device Needs - 12/08/21
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