About San Jose Public Library Foundation
The San José Public Library Foundation supports educational programs and resources through the public library, schools, and community-based organizations, to create an educated, equitable, empowered and engaged community.
Focus Areas
Digital empowerment / digital inclusionLifelong learning and tutoringWorkforce development and career pathwaysArts and culture access
Who They Fund
San José community residentsK–3 studentsadult learners with low literacy / ESL learnersinformal caregivers (family, friend, neighbor)job seekers and workforce entrantsunderserved library patrons
Funding Style
programmatic grants
About San Jose Public Library Foundation
A one-time $2 million American Rescue Plan allocation helped shape one of the San Jose Public Library Foundation’s clearest program areas: Tutoring Matters, which supports 1:1 and small-group tutoring and academic recovery for San José students in grades 4–12. That program sits alongside a broader set of library-centered grants aimed at digital inclusion, lifelong learning, workforce development, and arts and culture access. The foundation’s recent giving shows a strong emphasis on public-school and library partnerships, with grants flowing to San Jose Public Library, multiple San José school districts, and community-based organizations that serve students, adult learners, job seekers, and underserved patrons. Its priorities are organized around driving digital empowerment, enabling lifelong learning, building the workforce, and promoting diverse arts and culture. The grantmaker also backs paid job training through Resilience Corps, connecting workforce development with education support and public service placements for young adults in San José. Across programs, the foundation uses philanthropy to extend the reach of the public library into schools and neighborhood-serving organizations.
What San Jose Public Library Foundation Funds
In digital inclusion, the foundation gave $73,850 to Tech Exchange for digital literacy and access work. It also supports community-based organizations that help residents build digital skills and improve access to devices, Wi‑Fi, and STEAM education. In workforce development, it awarded $92,750 to Step Up for work tied to its empowerment priorities, and its Resilience Corps programs add paid placements and structured training for young adults in education, technology, and public service. Education access is another clear theme: San Jose Public Library Foundation granted $560,000 to Alpha Public Schools for education-focused work and $200,000 to Campbell Union School District for engagement-related programming. Arts and culture are part of the portfolio as well, though the foundation’s recent grant list shows those efforts embedded within the broader community-serving mission rather than as a separate standalone track.
How San Jose Public Library Foundation Gives
Typical grant size clusters around $64,000 at the 25th percentile, $92,750 at the median, and $200,000 at the 75th percentile. The foundation’s recent portfolio includes both large operating-style awards and smaller program grants, ranging from five figures to a $6,787,845 grant. It gives locally and all listed grants go to recipients in California, with a strong San José concentration. The recent-grants table shows recurring relationships with several organizations over multiple years, including the San Jose Public Library and multiple school districts, which points to continuing partnerships rather than one-off awards. It is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and the public data includes both unsolicited and competitive program channels.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$9.6M
Total Assets
$9.6M
Total Revenue
$6M
Total Expenses
$13.1M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $64K and $200K, with a median of $93K.
25th Percentile
$64K
Median
$93K
75th Percentile
$200K
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
About 100% of grants go to recipients in CA.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
SCOTT WHELTON
Accepts unsolicited proposals
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