Director of Individual Giving

Sandy Karr brings more than 25 years of experience in organizational management and fundraising to her role as director of individual giving at Feeding San Diego. Since joining the organization in 2024, Sandy built its individual giving team and now leads the individual giving and events teams in securing $24 million in private funding to support the operating budget and programmatic priorities.  

Sandy has been instrumental in raising funds and grant writing for dignity-centered social change initiatives throughout San Diego County, including wrap-around services for breast cancer survivors, affordable housing, and hunger relief. Prior to joining Feeding San Diego in 2024, Sandy served in development at several major local nonprofits including the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation, San Diego Food Bank, Father Joe’s Villages and Girls on the Run. 

After earning a B.A. in journalism with a minor in psychology from the University of Central Florida, Sandy began her career in the publishing industry in advertising, sales and marketing. She transitioned to the nonprofit sector after a battle against breast cancer sparked her desire to aid underserved populations.   

Sandy feels deeply connected to growing food: her first job was on her family’s third-generation farm in her native Pennsylvania where she learned about the entire lifecycle of produce.  As farmers, her family was conscious of food waste, composting organic materials to enrich the soil and continue growing fresh, nutritious produce. 

Sandy’s business philosophy is always mission first. She believes a shared mission is what connects members of the community who have time, talent and treasure to offer to Feeding San Diego.  

In her downtime, Sandy enjoys gardening, reading, and riding horses. She also volunteers her time to the Temecula Heritage Rose Garden, helping with everything from weeding to planning fundraising activities.