Grant Application

About the Fund

PACF was established nearly 50 years ago by local residents committed to helping our community thrive. Today, PACF serves as a catalyst for positive change and an enduring community resource supporting a vibrant Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park. PACF invests in impactful organizations addressing community needs. Funding is prioritized in the following areas:

• 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

For a complete list of organizations supported last year, please see PACF's 2025 Impact Report.

PACF is governed by a Board of Directors representing a diverse set of community perspectives and lived experiences. Board members play an active role alongside staff in a shared, trust-based grant review process.

Grant Purpose

PACF grants provide general operating support. We believe nonprofit leaders know best how to allocate funding, and our approach is grounded in the principles of trust-based philanthropy.

Grant Range

Most grants provide one year of funding and typically range from $5,000 to $20,000. Based on available funding and organizational need, PACF may offer multi-year (two-year) grants at its discretion.

Who May Apply

Applicants must meet our required criteria to be considered for a grant: 

• Applicants must be a 501c3 organization (or have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501c3 organization). 
• Applicants must currently provide services in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, or Menlo Park.

Before accessing our entire application, you must complete a brief eligibility questionnaire to ensure your organization meets our required criteria. If you feel that the eligibility questionnaire disqualifies your organization in error, please contact us at grants@paloaltocommfund.org.

Who May Not Apply

PACF does not consider funding requests for:

• Organizations that do not currently serve the communities of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and/or Menlo Park
• Religious activities
• Partisan political activities

Important Dates

• Friday, December 5, 2025 from 11 am - 12 pm: Online application information session via Zoom. 
  
  • Direct Zoom Link
  • Meeting ID: 827 3836 9397, Passcode: 267209
  • The online info session will be recorded and will be available to watch on PACF's grant application webpage following the session.
• Friday, January 9, 2026 at 5 pm: Application Deadline
• Late January through Mid-February 2026: Some applicants may be invited to a brief Zoom conversation. Participation is optional and does not indicate or influence the funding decision. Conversations may be requested when clarification is needed or when reviewers would benefit from meeting new organizational leadership (such as a newly appointed CEO or Executive Director).
• Mid-April 2026: All applicants will be notified of funding decisions.