Our purpose is to lend financial support to a wide range of religious, charitable, and educational organizations

Guidelines for grants: The Congregational Foundation typically issues grants to local organizations rather than to individuals, unless the Board determines that a grant to an individual will benefit the charitable purposes of the organization. The grants are to be for seed money or capital funds rather than for ongoing or operating purposes.

Review process: Preference will be given to activities promising to have the greatest impact. The following factors should be considered:


Number of people who will benefit
Seriousness of issues the organization addresses
Degree to which the activity will encourage self-help 
Level of financial need
Likelihood that other sources of funds are not available to the organization
Level of participation of Church members in the organization (for example, does the Outreach Committee offer ongoing support? Are Church members personally involved, or could they be?)

What members of the congregation can do:
Recommend projects for consideration
Encourage organizations to apply for appropriate grants 
Make a gift to the Foundation
Encourage others to make gifts to the Foundation

Administration: The Palo Alto Congregational Foundation was incorporated in 1960 as a charitable organization for the purpose of receiving gifts and memorial funds to create a continuous endowment fund. It is administered by seven directors, a majority of whom are members of the Church, who serve renewable three-year terms. 

Gifts: The Foundation welcomes gifts (cash, securities, real estate, or life insurance) at any time during a donor’s lifetime or by bequest. Gifts of real estate with right of occupancy or of investments with lifetime income retention are also acceptable.

The Foundation is a duly qualified tax-exempt public charitable organization.

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