A volunteer is partially shown lifting a box from the LA Regional Food Bank at a senior food distribution at the Pasadena Senior Center.

Four male clients of Pasadena Village pose while having lunch at an outdoor restaurant patio.

Human Services

PRIORITIES
Human Services is one of PCF’s six areas of impact for local grantmaking. PCF’s grantmaking in this area of interest supports organizations addressing food insecurity, homelessness, and special populations, including seniors and those with learning differences and developmental or intellectual disabilities. This area of interest is made possible by PCF Endowment Builders who are passionate about uplifting the lives of our neighbors.

GRANT PROGRAMS
Senior Grants — PCF Senior Grant Program is an annual grant program launched in 2007 in support of “frail elderly” who face physical, mental, or economic struggles.

Vista Nova — The Vista Nova Renaissance Endowment funds the Vista Nova Grant Program, which supports organizations in the greater Pasadena area and the eastern LA County that assist visually impaired populations with unique challenges; specifically, those whose eyesight cannot be improved with corrective glasses or medical procedures.

Food Security Grants — In 2022, food pantries alerted PCF that they were experiencing overwhelming and unprecedented need, and PCF stepped in with $100,000 in emergency funding. As dire food insecurity persisted in Pasadena and LA County, PCF formalized its commitment to food access with the addition of a Food Security Grant Program in 2023 to its roster of annual grant programs.

Impact in the area of Human Services

Senior Grants — Since its launch in 2007, the Senior Grant Program has awarded 97 grants to 23 unduplicated organizations for an impressive total of $844,500. This figure includes the 2024 Senior Grants, which totaled $94,5000 and were awarded to eight local nonprofit organizations.

2023 Capital Grants — In 2023, PCF awarded $132,000 in Capital Grants to six local organizations in the Human Services area of impact.

A group of eight older adults sit with a fitness instructor on park benches outdoors. Six of them are waving at the camera. — Participants of Pasadena Village’s Walk with Ease program take a break at Lacy Park in March 2023. A 2022 PCF Senior Grant funded this program.

Supporting Funds

PCF works with community members to establish endowments that support local grantmaking, including those in the Human Services area of interest. As a community foundation, PCF always honors donor intent. Our grants reflect any donor restrictions regarding their designated causes.

Watch our video about the Rawn and Eaton Endowments which provided the foundational funding for PCF’s Senior Grant Program.

Visit these links to learn more about our donors and the reasons they created a PCF endowment for Human Services:

Become a PCF Endowment Builder for the areas you care about – learn more.

Related News & Features

“Altadena Meals on Wheels Bounces Back with PCF Senior Grant.” July 2024. Read article.

“PCF Grants Support Unhoused Families.” March 2024. Read article.

“PCF Formalizes Food Security Program, Grants $100,000.” December 2023. Read article.

“A Legacy for Seniors at Pasadena Community Foundation.” April 2023. Read article.

“Food Insecurity Grows – PCF Steps in with Emergency Funds.” December 2022. Read article.

“A Key to Housing Security & College Success.” November 2022. Read article.

“Senior Grant Spotlight: Mano a Mano Food Pantry.” August 2022. Read article.

“Senior Grant Spotlight: Pasadena Village.” August 2022. Read article.

“2021 Vista Nova Grantees Announced.” July 2021. Read article.

Recent Grantee Organizations

Each year, Pasadena-area organizations in the Human Services area benefit from Pasadena Community Foundation grant awards. The photos here showcase some of our recent grantees. Click on thumbnails to enlarge photos.