Gil Alvarado is the Chief Financial and Investment Officer (CFIO) of the Prebys Foundation, where he helps steward a $1.2 billion portfolio with an eye toward both strong returns and strong community benefit. A national thought partner in mission-aligned investing, Gil brings an entrepreneurial mindset to philanthropy—designing funds, partnerships, and investment strategies that help fuel innovation, expand opportunity, and strengthen San Diego’s long-term resilience. 

This Episode: 

How can a foundation use the full breadth of its resources to support a thriving region? 
  

Grant and Gil unpack how the foundation’s investment strategy works in tandem with its grantmaking to advance health, creativity, and economic opportunity in San Diego. Gil explains how the $50 million Prebys Venture Fund backs early-stage life science and tech companies; why investments in affordable housing, small-business lending, and civic revitalization expand what’s possible for the region; and how patient capital (long-term investment) lets a foundation take the long view on challenges like climate resilience and the blue economy. 

This episode offers an accessible look at how financial strategy, mission, and community well-being intersect. 

Key Moments 

• [0:57] What impact investing means at Prebys 
• [3:44] Inside the Prebys Venture Fund and its early investments 
• [7:30] Using capital to expand affordable housing and small-business access 
• [24:16] Why integrating impact into investing is still rare—and what’s changing 
• [42:20] Why even a “small” portfolio can catalyze big change 

Resources  

• Prebys Impact Investing - Using all of our financial resources to advance an inclusive and equitable future for San Diego 
• Prebys Ventures Impact Fund – Investing in life sciences and health innovation in San Diego 
• Prebys Ventures First Investments – 5 startups advancing medical research and patient care 
• Stop & Talk: Preeti Bhattacharji – Listen to our 2024 episode with Preeti Bhattacharji, Head of Sustainable Investing at J.P. Morgan Chase Private Bank, who talks about impact investing and social impact. 

Take Action  

Tips for organizations looking to expand their impact through investments: 

• Leverage Full Portfolios – Consider how endowment investments, not just grant dollars, can advance mission and strengthen local ecosystems. 
• Commit for the Long Term – Use patient, flexible capital to support solutions that require multi-year development. 
• Grow Local Innovation – Back entrepreneurs, researchers, and community builders who are shaping the region’s future. 
• Build Strategic Partnerships – Collaborate with public, private, and community partners to amplify impact and unlock larger opportunities. 

Credits:
This is a production of the Prebys Foundation
Hosted by Grant Oliphant
Co-Hosted by Crystal Page
Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield
Engineered by Adam Greenfield
Production Coordination by Tess Karesky
Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina

The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.
Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPod cast .org 
 
Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team 
 
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