Palo Alto Community Fund

PACF'S CEO Irene Wong was delighted to join Thrive Alliance's recent panel discussion exploring the importance of collaboration, philanthropic trends, and supporting core work to drive lasting impact with other nonprofit leaders from Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Sobrato Philanthropies, LifeMoves, and EPACENTER. A huge thank you to Thrive Alliance of San Mateo County and their amazing team for organizing such a thoughtful and engaging event. Special gratitude to Georgia Farooq, PACF Board Member and Executive Director of Thrive Alliance, for her leadership in bringing everyone together. It was also wonderful to see and connect with past and present Palo Alto Community Fund Board Members in attendance, as well as many Palo Alto Community Fund grantees, whose work continues to strengthen and uplift our communities. Here are some of our takeaways from the discussion: ?? Listening as a strength: Meaningful progress requires us to deeply listen to communities, even when it involves hearing opposing viewpoints. We strengthen our connections and make more inclusive decisions by embracing these challenging conversations. ?? Collaboration and resource-sharing: Our collective social sector community will benefit from simplified ways to collaborate and share resources. ??Amplifying and Uplifting Work in Communities: Ensuring that voices on the ground, impactful stories, and effective service delivery models are recognized and understood is essential. Equally important is ensuring that these voices have a seat at decision-making tables—particularly amidst today’s shifting social and political dynamics and diminishing financial support. ??Recognizing the leaders in our midst: The nonprofits that show up every day to lead and serve inspire so much hope. This is the true superpower of our sector—the people who lead and work in our nonprofits. Their resilience and dedication demonstrate the power of visionary leadership in action, reminding us of the collective strength within our communities. PACF is grateful to work alongside so many impactful community leaders. Together, we can (and do) make a difference. Photo Credit the amazing Janikke Klem with Heritage Bank of Commerce, which does so much to support our sector.

?? The Palo Alto Community Fund's 2025 grant application closes in just one week! Nonprofit organizations currently providing services in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and/or Menlo Park are invited to apply by Friday, January 10 at 5pm. This year, funding is prioritized in the areas of: ?? Helping Children and Youth Thrive ?? Supporting Mental Health and Wellness ?? Addressing Food Insecurity and Affordable Housing ?? Strengthening Local Communities ?? Embracing the Arts and Our Environment Apply now: https://bit.ly/390ilqf

As we prepare to welcome a new year, we at PACF are celebrating all we have accomplished this year thanks to the generosity of our donors and the hard work and dedication of our grantee nonprofit organizations. ?? We invite you to revisit this year's highlights and learn more about exciting plans for fostering connection and collaboration in 2025 in the latest letter from our CEO, Irene Wong. ?? https://bit.ly/3DoCEAx

?? 2024 #PACFGrantee, Good Karma Bikes, is a nonprofit bike shop dedicated to serving low-income families, veterans, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Through their programs, they refurbish thousands of donated bicycles—providing mobility, independence, and a renewed sense of possibility to those in need. This past year, Good Karma Bikes tackled a pressing issue in East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park: chronic absenteeism in local schools. With rates as high as 55 percent at schools like Costano Elementary, many children couldn’t attend school simply because they lacked transportation. To address this challenge, Good Karma Bikes partnered with City Year San José/Silicon Valley, providing free bikes, helmets, and locks to students across the district. Since October 2023, they’ve distributed 60 bikes to children in grades K-6, ensuring they can get to school reliably and safely. This spring, Good Karma Bikes worked to expand the program to more schools and collaborate with the Boys and Girls Club to meet additional needs. As we reflect on the season of giving, stories like this remind us of the power of generosity. Imagine the joy of a child receiving their first bike—along with the opportunity to attend school and chase their dreams. Good Karma Bikes’ mission embodies the spirit of connection, collaboration, and generosity PACF fosters.

?? This holiday season, we are grateful for the work of PACF grantee organizations like the CHRISTMAS BUREAU OF PALO ALTO, whose compassionate work provides holiday magic for low-income families and individuals in Palo Alto. A cornerstone of holiday generosity and compassion since 1956, the Christmas Bureau provides small monetary gift checks, giving recipients the dignity to meet their unique needs. Last year, monetary support ranged from $70 for single individuals to $350 for families of eight, ensuring that every recipient could experience some relief during the expensive holiday season. Whether it’s a senior replacing wheelchair tires, a parent buying gifts for their children, or a family securing warm coats, these funds provide critical support at just the right time. Read more about the Christmas Bureau at https://bit.ly/41QmpGN.

The mental well-being of our youth is not just a national concern; it’s a pressing local issue that directly impacts our kids’ ability to thrive in school, build meaningful relationships, and navigate life’s challenges. In our local schools and communities, the need for mental health support remains evident. According to the Children’s Health Council: ?? 76% of school leaders report needing more resources for student and staff mental health. ?? 71% call for training in social-emotional development, and 61% seek classroom management support. ?? Families face increased calls for help with issues ranging from behavior challenges to anxiety, depression, and self-harm. At the Palo Alto Community Fund (PACF), we recognize the importance of addressing addressing the critical issue of youth mental health by supporting innovative solutions and community-driven programs. Through our grantmaking, we partner with organizations making a measurable difference in the lives of young people and their families like longtime grantee, Children's Health Council, and one of this year’s David Mitchell Grant recipients, My Digital TAT2, demonstrate the profound impact of this work. Together with our exceptional grantees and dedicated donors, we are building a future where every young person has the resources they need to thrive. #GiveWhereYouLive to support youth mental health today at paloaltocommfund.org/give

We are pleased to announce that the Palo Alto Community Fund annual grant application for 2025 is now open! Nonprofit organizations currently providing services in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and/or Menlo Park are invited to learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/390ilqf Important Dates ?? Monday, December 2, 2024 | Application open ?? Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 11-12pm | Online information session ?? Friday, January 10, 2025 | Completed applications due by 5pm

We are proud to celebrate another community-strengthening #PACFPie ?? and the generous donors who made it all possible. In 2024, we granted $1.725M to 72 local nonprofits, including 29 multi-year grants and three Dave Mitchell Impact grants. ?? $455K to Helping Children and Youth Thrive ?? $375K to Strengthening Local Communities ?? $360K to Addressing Food Insecurity and Affordable Housing ?? $320K to Supporting Mental Health and Wellness ?? $215K to Embracing the Arts and Our Environment This year, PACF aims to raise $2 million to support nonprofits in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park. When you choose to #GiveWhereYouLive, you empower a legacy of support for local causes. Donate today at paloaltocommfund.org/give. ?? See the full list of FY 2024 grantees and learn more about the power of giving to PACF in our 2024 Impact report: https://bit.ly/3AgA6mG

The 2024 Silicon Valley Index reveals a stark reality: income inequality in our region has grown at twice the rate of California and the nation since the Great Recession. Last year’s Point-In-Time Count showed 10,000 people experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, while 4 in 10 renters are now rent-burdened. Participation in CalFresh is at its highest level in a decade, and the federally funded food assistance program had more than 130,000 individuals receiving food stamps in Santa Clara County. This is why PACF remains dedicated to addressing these critical issues, working alongside our grantees to foster community strength and resilience. This year, 20 percent of PACF’s annual grants targeted food insecurity and affordable housing, supporting organizations that make a tangible difference. Grantees working to help families experiencing food insecurity include: ? Ecumenical Hunger Program, whose staff are deeply embedded in the communities they serve, providing essential food, supplies, and services to families in need. ? Fresh Approach (pictured) sources culturally relevant foods from BIPOC farmers to meet diverse dietary needs. ? ONYXX VILLAGE CONNECTION serves an important role on the Peninsula, feeding the hungry and eliminating food waste. PACF grantees are also actively working along the affordable housing continuum. ? Heart and Home Collaborative elevates the voice of those experiencing homelessness. ? HIP Housing empowers individuals, providing access to affordable, safe, and supportive housing solutions. ? East Palo Alto Tenants Council (EPACT) and EPACT Education Fund is dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of East Palo Alto tenants. EPACT works directly with residents facing housing challenges, advocating for tenants’ rights and helping to preserve affordable housing options. Learn more about our grantees addressing food insecurity and affordable housing in our 2024 Impact Report: https://bit.ly/3AgA6mG.

PACF’s knowledge of emerging needs, combined with our strong ties to the community, allows us to be strategic with our investments and act quickly to support our neighbors in times of crisis. In FY 2024, we demonstrated our nimbleness by awarding two Cammie Vail Executive Director Grants. These unsolicited, timely grants address urgent challenges and empower local partners who are ready to act with effective, community-based solutions. The first grant was awarded to WeHope to repair kitchen flood damage that disrupted food services for those experiencing homelessness. The second supported MOVE MOUNTAIN VIEW, an organization working with the City of Palo Alto and Stanford University to assist the displaced recreational vehicle community on El Camino Real following Caltrans' bike lane paving. Through these actions, PACF remains committed to supporting partners who are delivering real solutions to meet pressing needs in our community. Read more about our impact: https://bit.ly/3UaFrD6.