Established in 1982, the Del Mar Foundation is the oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Del Mar, operating from 225 9th St, Del Mar, CA 92014, inside the Del Mar Community Building. The foundation manages more than $9 million in endowment and reserve funds and provides community grants that support local nonprofits, city programs, and the San Dieguito Lagoon. Its signature events shape the social calendar of the village — Summer Twilight Concerts at Powerhouse Park, the First Thursdays subscription concert series in Town Hall at the Del Mar Civic Center, Bluegrass and Beyond performances, and DMF Talks bring cultural programming throughout the year. Community traditions including the July 4th Parade, Easter Egg Hunt, Community Picnic, and the Halloween Dog Parade are all organized by the foundation. The Del Mar Foundation shares its 225 9th Street building with Del Mar Community Connections and the Del Mar Historical Society — the building includes a 14-person conference room, a kitchen workspace, and a reception area available to local groups by advance reservation, along with on-site parking that is a rare find in the village. Over the decades, the foundation has also served as an incubator and fiscal sponsor for many of the nonprofits that now independently enrich the community. Its mission focuses on promoting civic pride, acquiring and preserving open space, improving beaches and parklands, and sponsoring diverse cultural programming. In 2025, the foundation partnered with the City of Del Mar to install five contemporary sculptures at prominent downtown locations for a 23-month public display. The foundation also contributed funding toward the restoration of the Del Mar Library and the Del Mar Powerhouse Community Center, two of the village's most important public gathering spaces.