FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2010
CONTACT:
Cammie Vail
Palo Alto Community Fund
650.450.5581
cammievail@paloaltocommfund.org
www.paloaltocommfund.org
PALO ALTO COMMUNITY FUND
ANNOUNCES 2010 GRANTS AND NEW CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Annual Reception Honors 41 Local Nonprofit Grant Recipients
PALO ALTO, CA,
October 4, 2010 – The Palo Alto Community Fund (PACF) hosted their annual grants reception on Thursday, September 30 at the home of former PACF Board member Bill Reller in Palo Alto. The event celebrated the 41 nonprofit organizations in the Palo Alto area to receive PACF funding this year. The $302,000 in grants awarded in 2010 by PACF marked both the largest total and the greatest number or recipient organizations the fund has given to in its 31-year history. The evening also featured the official announcement of PACF’s new capital campaign, “Funding Our Future.”
“We were thrilled to be able to award more money than ever before to local nonprofits in our community, particularly in a year when the need was so great,” said Karen Ross, Board President of PACF. “Surrounded by our generous donors and dedicated nonprofit members, the evening was also a perfect forum for launching our ‘Funding Our Future’ capital campaign.”
Attended by over 250 prominent Palo Alto-area philanthropists, community volunteers and nonprofit professionals, the event featured music, appetizers, and informational easel presentations by all 41 nonprofit organizations—enabling participants to get a deep understanding of the incredible work these local nonprofits are doing, and speak to members of the organizations directly. The evening also featured remarks from PACF’s President and Executive Director, as well as representatives of two of the recipient organizations, Curtis Haggins, President and Coach of RoadRunners Sports Club of East Palo Alto, and Michele Jackson, Executive Director of Shelter Network. MartinThomas Wealth Management, Northern Trust and Wente Vineyards provided generous underwriting for the event.
“Every year this is such an amazing opportunity to hear first-hand what the nonprofit organizations in our area are doing to enhance our community,” said Cammie Vail, Executive Director of PACF. “This event gives our donors the chance to understand how their generous donations to PACF provide a vital source of funds to these organizations and enable critical programs in our community.”
This year, 93 local nonprofit organizations applied for grants. PACF is striving to increase the size of its endowment so that more of these worthy organizations can be funded in the future.
About PACF
For over 30 years, PACF has grown and managed its philanthropic endowment, which is nearly $4 million. Each year, the proceeds of that endowment directly improve the quality of life in the Palo Alto area through grants to local nonprofit organizations across every area of philanthropy, including social services, housing, education, healthcare, environment, youth and family support, community development, seniors and the arts. The mission of PACF is to grow, sustain, and use its endowment to improve the quality of life in our community. In 2010, PACF made over $302,000 in grants to 41 Palo Alto-area organizations. For a complete list of grant recipients, or to donate to PACF, please visit http://www.paloaltocommfund.org.