The Foundation has a rich history of helping to support families and children. This tradition continues in our Local Grantmaking program with support for families and children as early as birth. The first three years of life are an especially critical growth period in a child’s development. Newborns and toddlers need positive early learning experiences that both foster their intellectual, social, and emotional development, and lay a foundation for later success.
As children continue their social, physical, and academic development, the availability of quality after-school programming is also critical, particularly for the community’s most vulnerable youth. After the school day ends, children need safe places to go that offer educational and enriching programming. After-school programs often serve as a bridge from the school day to after-school hours where learning can be reinforced in fun and creative ways. After-school programs also provide a safe alternative to being home alone during the hours of 3-6 p.m., when children are most vulnerable to engaging in negative behaviors.
The Children and Youth subprogram of Local Grantmaking supports two main areas:
- Positive early learning experiences provided by organizations or programs that
- Help parents and caregivers get children off to a good start and establish healthy patterns for life-long learning, and/or
- Foster the intellectual, social, and emotional development of newborns and toddlers, particularly for at-risk populations
- After-school programs and activities provided by organizations that
- Offer model, promising, or start-up programming
- Provide enrichment and/or academic activities at a school site or community space, and
- Serve middle school students throughout the school year.
The Foundation supports organizations that have well-articulated goals and strategy, strong leadership and governance, quality programming, and a high level of community participation, engagement, and support. We look for leaders who have a proven expertise working with and serving their target population in the five California counties we fund—San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito. We look for model programs with a track record of success and impact, as well as new programs with high potential. Currently, funding for birth-three programs is primarily accomplished through a partnership with First 5 organizations in each of the five counties.
Except in special circumstances, we do not support research, studies, policy work, capital campaigns, or child care center operations or subsidies.
