The Palo Alto Community Fund

Founded in 1979, the Palo Alto Community Fund is the community endowment for the Palo Alto area, making grants to nonprofit organizations in our community for over 35 years. The mission of the Palo Alto Community Fund (PACF) is to grow, sustain, and use our 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.

Our areas of funding are as diverse as our community — encompassing arts and culture, community development, education, environment, health and social services. We focus our grant-making on organizations helping people in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park. Since our formation, PACF has awarded $3.2 million to over 200 local nonprofit organizations. For a complete list of our 2013 grant recipients, visit http://paloaltocommfund.org/pgs/grants2013.html  

Our volunteer board and advisory board are comprised of a diverse group of local residents with deep ties to the Palo Alto area. Our grants are made possible each year from the proceeds of our approximately $5.6 million philanthropic endowment. As an endowment fund, we provide a permanent, stable stream of capital to local nonprofits.

A donation to PACF is an ideal way to give back to the community we all love. Through your single gift, you have the chance to give to dozens of local organizations and impact the lives of hundreds of fellow Palo Alto area residents. Donations to PACF are fully tax-deductible. PACF is a 501(c)(3) and a city affiliate of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.