For a pdf version of this article with a listing of grant recipients click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2008
CONTACT: Michael Trigg
Palo Alto Community Fund
650-269-6655
mike_trigg@yahoo.com
www.paloaltocommfund.org

PALO ALTO COMMUNITY FUND
ANNOUNCES OVER $180,000 IN GRANTS TO 30 LOCAL NONPROFITS

PALO ALTO, CA, June 2, 2008 – The Palo Alto Community Fund (PACF) this week announced its grant recipients for 2008. Focused exclusively on philanthropic organizations in the greater Palo Alto area, the fund this year provided over $180,000 in grants to 30 local nonprofits in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and other area communities. Both the total grant amount and the number of grant recipients were the largest ever for the organization.

“We are very pleased to be able to provide this level of impact to local nonprofits in our community,” said Kathy Schniedwind, Co-President of PACF. “Through the generosity of our donors, we’ve been able to increase the size of our endowment, which has, in turn, allowed us to increase both the depth and breadth of our grant making efforts.”

For almost 30 years, PACF has grown and managed its philanthropic endowment, which exceeded $4 million this year for the first time. Each year, the proceeds of that endowment directly improve the quality of life in the Palo Alto area through an extensive annual grant making process. This year, nearly 80 local nonprofit organizations applied for grants. The 30 organizations that received grants cover virtually every area of philanthropy, including social services, housing, education, healthcare, environment, youth and family support, community development, seniors and the arts – all focused on the greater Palo Alto service area.

“Every year, we receive so many compelling applications from such a wide range of wonderful organizations” said Amy Renalds, Co-President of PACF. “One of our major priorities is to increase the size of our endowment, so we can afford to fund more of these incredibly worthy organizations and projects.”

One of the organizations that received funding this year is Collective Roots (http://www.collectiveroots.org). The organization, founded in 2000 at Belle Haven School in Menlo Park and now located at the East Palo Alto Charter School, has been locally focused since its inception. Like many PACF programs, Collective Roots touches a large number of students with their garden-based educational programs for children grades K-8. The impact of the program is multi-dimensional, not only does it teach children about sustainable agriculture, nature, and nutrition, but it does so in a larger context of food systems change and environmental impact. Further, students learn valuable life skills through a community based farmers' market.

“The support from PACF could not come at a better time. Our work at Collective Roots is made possible through donations and grants like this one from PACF,” said Wolfram Alderson, Executive Director of Collective Roots. “This support is helping us establish a bridge between garden-based learning and food system change; helping to eliminate health and environmental disparities in East Palo Alto, a community long overdue for such change. PACF is a perfect partner for us in funding these critical programs.”

Family & Children Services, another 2008 grant recipient, provides mental health counseling to at-risk students and their families at the East Palo Alto Charter school. “The children we serve come from families who are trying really hard to succeed, but face an uphill struggle,” said Maryanne McGlothlin, Marketing and Grants Director at FCS. “This grant enables our therapist to provide support to the Charter School to help the children and their families deal with the stress and frustration that than can make it more difficult for these kids to succeed.”

About PACF
Founded in 1979, the Palo Alto Community Fund provides a permanent source of “community capital” for funding nonprofit services in the Palo Alto area. Managing an endowment of over $4 million, PACF provides grants to local nonprofits. In 2008, PACF provided over $180,000 in grants to 30 local nonprofit organizations. The mission of PACF is to grow, sustain, and use its endowment to improve the quality of life in our community. The Fund supports the work of new and existing nonprofit organizations serving the Palo Alto area.