A young Black student sits at a table, hands up supporting his chin, looking eagerly up to a male adult, who is helping him count out change and currency.

Six schoolchildren stand happily together in an outdoor breezeway at a local PUSD elementary school.

Youth & Education

PRIORITIES

Youth & Education is one of PCF’s six areas of impact for local grantmaking. PCF’s grantmaking in education focuses on four priorities: Early Learning, Academic Interventions, Youth Development, and College Success. Its grantmaking for youth focuses on afterschool and summer programs that provide enrichment and leadership development and supports unique populations, including the needs of foster youth.

This area of interest is made possible by PCF Endowment Builders who are passionate about education and enrichment opportunities for local students.

GRANT PROGRAMS

PCF Education Grant Program
In 2022, PCF launched a new iteration of its Education Grant Program following its successful K-12 Education Grant Program, which awarded annually between 2013-2021. The new Education Grant Program focuses on four priorities, all designed to provide support from a very young age through college.

Scholarships

Emily, a 2021-22 PCF Scholar with Pasadena Community Foundation, stands outdoors wearing a checkered shirt and carrying a Pasadena Community Foundation tote bag. . — Emily, a 2021-22 PCF Scholar

PCF Scholars – launched in 2019, this program supports local PUSD graduates who attend Pasadena City College.
Petersen Scholars – In 2021, the Petersen Foundation established a $10 million fund at the Pasadena Community Foundation to create an endowed scholarship program for current or former foster youth attending community college in the Los Angeles region. The program launched its first cohort of 28 students in Fall 2022.
Additional Scholarships – PCF holds a wide variety of other designated scholarship funds, including College Women’s Club of Pasadena, Bonnie Baha Memorial Scholarship, and the Gloria B. Lee Scholarship. Visit the Funds page to see the complete list of scholarships funds.

Yes Virginia Holiday Grants
Since 1994, the Yes, Virginia Fund has supported children in need in the Pasadena community at the holidays. The fund provides grants to local nonprofit agencies to provide toys, books, gifts, and special experiences to help all children feel valued and supported in their lives.

Impact in the area of Youth & Education

Since its founding in1953, PCF has awarded more than $14 million to community organizations that specifically provide services in Youth & Education.

In 2023, PCF awarded a total of $674,000 in grant funding in the area of Youth & Education.

PCF’s 2023 Capital Grants included awards to three organizations in the Youth & Education field, for a total of $75,000.

In 2021, PCF awarded $250,000 in Educational Equity Grants to organizations that strengthen educational opportunities for local Black and Latine students.

Since its inception in 2019, the PCF Scholars Program has supported 37 students as they pursue their education at Pasadena City College with financial aid and wrap-around services.

During the 2023 holiday season, the Yes Virginia Holiday Grant Program funded gifts and festive experiences for 1,500 client families at 12 local nonprofit organizations.

Five young children play as large snowflakes fall during a holiday party hosted by Door of Hope in Pasadena, CA. — Children play in a Winter Family Fun Festival, a party hosted at an Altadena park by Door of Hope, December 2022. The event was supported with a PCF Yes Virginia Grant.

SUPPORTING FUNDS

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

Visit these links to learn more about our donors and the reasons they created a PCF endowment for Youth & Education.

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

Related News & Features

“2023 Education Grants Announced.” December 2023. Read article.

“Yes Virginia Grants Bring Holiday Joy to 1,500 Families.” December 2023. Read article.

“PCF Scholar Lands Research Fellowship at Caltech.” September 2023. Read article.

“Ready, Set, Kindergarten! PCF Grant Prepares Families for School.” September 2023. Read article.

“Graduating PCF Scholars Reflect on Their Educational Journeys.” May 2023. Read article.

“Math Power Hour Bolsters Kids’ Math Aptitude and Attitude.” March 2023. Read article.

“PCF Announces 2022 Education Grant Recipients.” December 2022. Read article.

“Yes, Virginia Grants Make Holiday Bright for 2,500 Local Children.” December 2022. Read article.

“The Math Pays Off for Math Academy Graduates.” August 2022. Read article.

STEAM:CODERS Paves a Path for Pasadena Youth. July 2022. Read article.

College Women’s Club Awards Scholarships to 14 Local Women. May 2022. Read article.

Two Veterans Receive Welcome Home Scholarship. April 2022. Read article.

Recent Grantee Organizations

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