Cleo Foundation

About Cleo Foundation

A $30,000 grant to Ventana Wilderness Alliance for the Youth in Wilderness Program stands out in Cleo Foundation’s recent giving and points to a clear pattern: this funder backs direct, place-based programs for young people in California. Across the recent grants list, the foundation supports outdoor learning, youth leadership, academic enrichment, and child advocacy, often through general operating support or project support tied to a named program. Monterey County organizations appear frequently, but the portfolio also reaches nearby California communities such as Salinas, Seaside, Gonzales, Santa Cruz, Ukiah, and Watsonville. The foundation’s support for youth is not limited to one setting. It includes wilderness experiences, high school life skills and job preparation, tutoring, STEM enrichment, and transportation help for participation in programs. It also funds services for children with life-threatening conditions and family support, showing a mix of educational and care-oriented grantmaking. Several grants recur across multiple years, including support for the Court Appointed Special Advocates group in Monterey and Community Partnership for Youth’s leadership and job-prep work. That repeat giving suggests continuity with local organizations rather than one-time, isolated awards.

What Cleo Foundation Funds

Outdoor education is a visible thread in the portfolio. Cleo Foundation gave $30,000 to Ventana Wilderness Alliance in 2025 for the Youth in Wilderness Program, and also funded Big Sur Land Trust for youth outdoor programming in 2024 and 2023. A related grant went to O’Neill Sea Odyssey for South Monterey County expansion, tying outdoor learning to a specific region. Academic and skills-building programs are another focus. The foundation awarded $20,000 to Community Partnership for Youth for the High School Leadership, Life Skills & Job Preparation Program in 2025, and continued similar support in 2024 and 2023. It also funded Epicenter of Monterey for tutoring services and social-emotional learning, and Olinga Learning for Wings of Knowledge STEM programming. The portfolio also includes child and family support. Coastal Kids Home Care received funding for treatment for life-threatening conditions and for palliative and end-of-life services for children and their families in Monterey County.

How Cleo Foundation Gives