About PCF

Established in 1953, the Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) is a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people of Pasadena. We are a publicly supported philanthropic institution serving donors, nonprofit organizations, and the Pasadena community as a whole.

PCF improves and enriches the lives of people by:

• Providing grants and services that strengthen community based organizations.
• Helping donors meet their philanthropic goals.
• Leading efforts to build charitable funds, emphasizing endowments that will provide permanent support to Pasadena’s nonprofit community. 

PCF offers individuals and organizations many options for philanthropy, amplifying charitable impact now and in the future.

Donor Advised Funds

• Allow donors to simplify their charitable giving
• Funds can be pass-thru, invested, or endowed
• Donors may direct their gifts to public charities anywhere in the U.S.

Endowment Builder Funds

• Create a permanent legacy for Pasadena
• Unrestricted or dedicated to an area of philanthropic interest
• Named endowments may be established by gift or bequest, and will support PCF’s grantmaking in perpetuity.

Friends & Fellows Fund

• Supports the Foundation’s work in the community

PCF also works with donors to create & administer:

• Scholarship funds
• Nonprofit agency partner funds
• Fiscal sponsorships
• Charity gift annuities
• Memorial funds
• And more!

What is a community foundation?
A community foundation is an organization that makes grants for charitable purposes in a specific community or region, and acquire funds from a variety of donors and sources. PCF is one of more than 800 community foundations in the U.S. 

What is the difference between a community foundation and other foundations?
Community foundations are recognized by the IRS as 501c3 public charities, and are able to accept 100 percent tax-deductible donations to the maximum extent allowed by the law (more than allowed for private foundations). Community foundation’s assets are derived from diverse sources, whereas private foundations are typically the assets of one family or institution. Private foundations are required by law to pay out (give away) a minimum of five percent of their assets each year. Community foundations do not have an annual payout requirement, however PCF’s annual spending policy adheres to the guidelines of the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA). 

How Do I Create a Fund?
PCF helps donors use all types of liquid and illiquid assets as charitable contributions, including cash, stocks and securities, IRA or other retirement funds, real estate, life insurance products, and high value personal property. PCF also accepts bequests and deferred gifts of estate. PCF staff will work with you to determine the type of fund that fits your needs, you will sign a fund agreement, and PCF will assist in the transfer of assets to your new charitable fund.  

Do I have to be a Pasadena resident to create a fund? Are grants made from donor advised funds restricted to Pasadena?
No — while many fund holders live in Pasadena, PCF welcomes donors from across the country. Donor advised grants may be made to public charities anywhere in the U.S. at the donor’s discretion.
PCF’s discretionary grants are the only ones restricted to the Pasadena community.   

Does my organization have to serve Pasadena to receive a grant? What about the rest of the San Gabriel Valley?
Yes — PCF’s grants are restricted to organizations, institutions, programs, and projects working in the footprint of the Pasadena Unified School District, which includes Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and Altadena. An organization serving a larger area may apply for a grant, but the project requesting funding must be Pasadena-focused. 

Contact: Liz Algermissen, Director of Development (626) 796-2097 x105 or ealgemissen@pasadenacf.org

PCF is a 501c3 public charity Tax ID# 20-0253310