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Impact Areas

Youth & Education

Expanding and enriching educational opportunities for Pasadena Unified School District students, from early childhood into college, is at the heart of this Impact Area. We support programs that provide enrichment and leadership development and a wide range of scholarships, while also uplifting the needs of historically underserved populations, including foster youth.

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Funding Priority

Educational Equity

Established in 2013 and reimagined in 2022, our Education Grant Program focuses funding on Early Learning, Academic Interventions, Youth Development, and College Success.

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Funding Priority

Scholarships

PCF manages several programs and holds numerous funds that empower students from distinct populations to find meaningful educational pathways.

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Group of students with food in their hand posing for a photo

Funding Priority

Yes Virginia Grants

A fund established in 1994 and endowed in 2019, the Yes Virginia Endowment fuels our grant program of the same name, ensuring that children from underserved areas get to participate in festive experiences to feel valued and supported during the holidays.

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Little boy smiling while sitting on Santa's lap

Our Impact

A young man carrying a notebook and wearing headphones strolls in front of a vibrant blue and gold mural
$18+ million

Since 1953, PCF has granted more than $18 million to organizations that uplift youth initiatives and support education to Youth and Education over $18 million.

40

PCF holds 40 endowments designated specifically to the Youth & Education Impact Area, creating a robust funding source for PCF’s grantmaking in this area.

75

students chosen for and supported through the PCF Scholars Program.

$1.6M

Total in 2024 grants in the Youth & Education Impact Area.

1,500+

Families supported by the Yes Virginia Grant Program each year.

Youth & Education Donors and Funds

Group of Corporate workers

PCF’s First Corporate Endowment Supports Local Education

Clifford Swan Investment Counselors created its PCF endowment in 2015 to uplift local education nonprofits.

Two women and a young girl taking a photo in front of the College Women of Pasadena (Great Gatsby) sign

College Women’s Club

A 100+-year-old scholarship program transitioned to a PCF endowed fund in 2016; it has granted $1.3M over its lifetime.

Student scholar in front of Muir Family building on Muir High School campus

Muir High School Scholar

In 2024, Eloheem Mahone received the first award of a legacy scholarship endowment.

Outside campus photo of the Muir High School

Johnson Family Legacy Endowment

A family honors its love of John Muir High School with an endowed scholarship.

Family taking a photo with Santa Claus

An Endowment for Holiday Magic

The Yes Virginia Endowment lets local children experience the magic of the holidays with parties and gifts.

Three young women posing for a photo

Spotlight: Petersen Scholars

PCF’s signature scholarship program supporting transition age foster youth.

Featured News and Stories

We believe strong communities thrive when philanthropy tackles real needs. To create lasting impact in Greater Pasadena, we focus on six key areas that that drive opportunity, build resilience, and improve well-being.

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Feb
28
A group of 7 adults stand before a huge blue and orange mural that says STANGS

An Afternoon at John Muir High School

Pasadena Community Foundation hears frequently about the great things happening at John Muir High School Early College Magnet in northwest Pasadena. Muir’s momentum can be attributed to many factors, including the dynamic leadership of principal Dr. Lawton Gray, its three College and Career Academies, a dedicated parent body, and an array of outstanding extracurricular programs. […]
Jun
18
A group of college students stand in a line together in front of a sign that reads Pathways Center

PCF Launches Grant Program to Help Local Students Succeed in College

Pasadena Community Foundation is proud to announce the launch of PCF Scholars, a new grant program to provide financial assistance and social-emotional support to 32 local students over the next four years. PCF Scholars is a partnership among Pasadena Community Foundation, College Access Plan, and PCC’s Pathways program to create a consistent through-line of support […]
May
31
Seven women stand outdoors on a college campus together in a line. They are smiling and facing the camera. A building behind them reads EQUITY CENTER.

Petersen Scholars Focus on Academic Success

In April, three Pasadena Community Foundation staff members visited four of the seven Petersen Scholars who attend Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. Sac). The students are transition age foster youth (TAY) who have navigated many obstacles to attend college. Over a delightful lunch, we learned that even with those challenges, these students are thriving in […]
Feb
28
A group of 7 adults stand before a huge blue and orange mural that says STANGS

An Afternoon at John Muir High School

Pasadena Community Foundation hears frequently about the great things happening at John Muir High School Early College Magnet in northwest Pasadena. Muir’s momentum can be attributed to many factors, including the dynamic leadership of principal Dr. Lawton Gray, its three College and Career Academies, a dedicated parent body, and an array of outstanding extracurricular programs. […]
Jun
18
A group of college students stand in a line together in front of a sign that reads Pathways Center

PCF Launches Grant Program to Help Local Students Succeed in College

Pasadena Community Foundation is proud to announce the launch of PCF Scholars, a new grant program to provide financial assistance and social-emotional support to 32 local students over the next four years. PCF Scholars is a partnership among Pasadena Community Foundation, College Access Plan, and PCC’s Pathways program to create a consistent through-line of support […]
May
31
Seven women stand outdoors on a college campus together in a line. They are smiling and facing the camera. A building behind them reads EQUITY CENTER.

Petersen Scholars Focus on Academic Success

In April, three Pasadena Community Foundation staff members visited four of the seven Petersen Scholars who attend Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. Sac). The students are transition age foster youth (TAY) who have navigated many obstacles to attend college. Over a delightful lunch, we learned that even with those challenges, these students are thriving in […]
VIEW ALL