The Palo Alto Community Fund serves as a catalyst for positive change, and an enduring community resource to ensure a vibrant Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. PACF raises and stewards funds from donors, and invests in the local nonprofit ecosystem, empowering our community as a whole.
The Palo Alto Community Fund’s recent grantmaking is built around flexible support for local nonprofits, including $100,000 unrestricted awards for Community Legal Services EPA, Nuestra Casa De East Palo Alto, and El Concilio of San Mateo County in 2025. Across the recent grants list, the fund regularly backs general operating support, with awards that range from smaller community grants to larger capacity-building commitments. That pattern fits its role as a community foundation raising and stewarding donor funds for Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park. The fund’s work centers on organizations serving children and youth, mental health and wellness, affordable housing, food insecurity, arts and cultural programs, and essential services for seniors and vulnerable residents. Recent grants also show support for frontline organizations working with historically marginalized communities, along with nonprofits providing legal services, education, housing, and health-related assistance. In practice, The Palo Alto Community Fund funds local nonprofits that deliver everyday services and respond to urgent needs, often through unrestricted grants that organizations can use where they are most needed.
A clear thread in The Palo Alto Community Fund’s grantmaking is general operating support. In 2024, it gave $115,000 to My Digital Tat2 in Cupertino for general operating support, and $110,000 to Abilitypath in Redwood City for the same purpose. Those awards sit alongside many other unrestricted grants in the recent list. The fund also backs housing and economic stability. Habitat for Humanity Gr SF received $110,000 in 2024 for general operating support, while Legal Aid Society of Smc received $40,000 in 2024 for general operating support. Food security appears as another recurring area: Loaves & Fishes Family Ktchn in San Jose received $40,000 in 2024 for general operating support. Youth-serving organizations are also a major part of the portfolio. Youth Community Service in Palo Alto received $40,000 in 2025 for general operating support, and Ravenswood Education Fdn in East Palo Alto received $40,000 in 2023 for the same purpose.
The listed grant sizes show a wide spread, with p25 at $10,000, a median of $20,000, and p75 at $30,000. Recent grants also include larger unrestricted awards of $100,000 and above, which suggests a mix of standard community grants and larger strategic support. The fund is structured as a mixed community foundation and provides flexible funding, including general operating support and unrestricted grants. Recipient names recur across years in the recent grants list, including Climate Resilient Communiites, Nuestra Casa De East Palo Alt, and East Palo Alto Academy Fdn, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. Some of its grant programs accept unsolicited applications.
$1.8M
$12.3M
$2.4M
$2.3M
Most grants fall between $10K and $30K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$30K
SUSAN FIELDS BAILEY
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Grantmaking is local and entirely in California: 100% of grants in the recipient-country distribution went to US organizations, and 100% of grants went to recipients in CA. The clearest clusters are Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park, matching the fund’s stated geographic scope. Recent grants also reached nearby cities such as Redwood City, San Jose, Cupertino, San Francisco, and Milpitas. Among recent recipients, East Palo Alto appears frequently, including organizations in East Palo Alto, CA and Palo Alto, CA serving that community.
It funds local nonprofit organizations serving Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park. The stated focus areas include after-school programs and youth services, youth mental health, affordable housing, food security, arts and cultural programs, and essential services for seniors and vulnerable residents.
Yes. Several active programs emphasize unrestricted or general operating support, and the recent grants list shows many awards labeled general operating support. The fund also has larger unrestricted awards such as the $100,000 Dave Mitchell Impact Grants.
The typical grant-size distribution is p25 at $10,000, median at $20,000, and p75 at $30,000. The recent grants list also includes larger awards, including multiple $100,000 grants.
Yes, at least for some programs. The General Grantee Application / Annual Impact Grants and Annual Grants programs both accept unsolicited applications, while the Cammie Vail Community Resilience Grants do not accept unsolicited applications.
Its grantmaking is local and concentrated in California. The recent grant data shows 100% of grants to recipients in CA, with organizations in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Jose, Cupertino, San Francisco, and Milpitas.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Palo Alto Community Fund that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations serving Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park in PACF's focus areas. Applications are reviewed for community impact, financial soundness, and clarity of purpose.
Deadline: Posted in early December each year; due dates are listed on the grant application.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES EPA | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NUESTRA CASA DE EAST PALO ALT | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EL CONCILIO OF SAN MATEO COUN | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF PALO ALTO JR M&Z | PALO ALTO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YOUTH COMMUNITY SERVICE | PALO ALTO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EAST PALO ALTO ACADEMY FDN | PALO ALTO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LIFEMOVES | MENLO PARK, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRESH APPROACH | CONCORD, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DREAMCATCHERS | PALO ALTO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ADAS CAFE | PALO ALTO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EPACENTER | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EAST PALO ALTO SENIOR CENTER | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EAST PALO ALTO TENNIS & TUTOR | PALO ALTO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ELIZABETH F GAMBLE GARDEN | PALO ALTO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UPWARD SCHOLARS | PALO ALTO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHILDRENS HEALTH COUNCIL | PALO ALTO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HIDDEN VILLA | LOS ALTOS HILLS, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RAVENSWOOD EDUCATION FDN | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YWCA GOLDEN GATE SILICON VALL | SAN JOSE, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST ANTHONYS PADUA DINING | MENLO PARK, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EAST PALO ALTO RAZORHAWKS | PALO ALTO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PENINSULA KIDTEENFULL POWER | LOS ALTOS, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CORA | SAN MATEO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RICH MAY FOUNDATION | ATHERTON, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ADOLESCENT COUNSELING SERVICE | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EASTSIDE COLLEGE PREPARATORY | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CASSY | MILPITAS, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STREETCODE ACADEMY | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RISE TOGETHER EDUCATION | PALO ALTO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AVENIDAS | PALO ALTO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HEART & HOME COLLABORATIVE | PALO ALTO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HEALTH CONNECTED | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PALO ALTO UNIVERSITY | PALO ALTO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OMBUDSMAN SERVICES OF SMC | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PENINSULA BRIDGE | SAN MATEO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ABILITYPATH | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| REACHING & INSPIRING SUCESS | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LEARNING HOME VOLUNTEERS | SAN CARLOS, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PENINSULA COLLEGE FUND | MILPITAS, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KIDS & ART FOUNDATION | BURLINGAME, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ART IN ACTION | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALL FIVE | MENLO PARK, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CIRCUIT EPA | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GUNN FOUNDATION | PALO ALTO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PENINSULA FOOD RUNNERS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD MAR MONTE | SAN JOSE, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAN MATEO COUNTY HEALTH FOUND | SAN MATEO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS FOR YOUTH INC | PALO ALTO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CITY YEAR SAN JOSESILICON VA | SUNNYVALE, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ABLE WORKS | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
EL CONCILIO OF SAN MATEO COUN
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EAST PALO ALTO SENIOR CENTER
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ELIZABETH F GAMBLE GARDEN
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ST ANTHONYS PADUA DINING
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EAST PALO ALTO RAZORHAWKS
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PENINSULA KIDTEENFULL POWER
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
RICH MAY FOUNDATION
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CASSY
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
RISE TOGETHER EDUCATION
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HEART & HOME COLLABORATIVE
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PALO ALTO UNIVERSITY
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
OMBUDSMAN SERVICES OF SMC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LEARNING HOME VOLUNTEERS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CIRCUIT EPA
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GUNN FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT