Yes Virginia Grants

For more than 30 years, the Yes Virginia Fund has provided vital funding for the Yes Virginia Grant Program, which supports children in underserved areas during the holidays. Our funding allows local nonprofit agencies to provide toys, books, gifts, and festive experiences in an effort to help all children feel valued and supported in their lives.

Four young children hold hands and stand in a line before a festive holiday backdrop
Three children play on grass with falling snow around them

Overview

About the Yes Virginia Grants

Since 1994, the Yes Virginia Fund has granted more than $380,000 to local nonprofit agencies to help address the needs of our community’s children. In 2019, the Yes, Virginia Fund reached its endowment goal, and now, as the Yes Virginia Endowment, it will make its holiday grants to local nonprofit agencies every year, for decades to come. 

Please note that this opportunity is by invitation only. Nonprofits not currently participating may contact PCF’s program department for more information.

 

A young woman crouches down and has her arm around a little girl. In front of them is a festive holiday bag.

Application Details

Please note that this opportunity is by invitation only. Nonprofits not currently participating may contact PCF’s program department for more information.

Application Period: Opens early October
Status: Closed
Deadline: Mid-November
Grant Decisions:  Late November
Grant Amounts: Awards range from $500- $2,000

To be eligible for funding, organizations must:

  • Be located in or provide significant services within the Pasadena Unified School District boundaries (Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre).
  • Be a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) or 170(c)(1) or (2)(b) [Private Foundations under 509(a) are not eligible].
  • Generally have at least two years of operational history with a record of effective service (fiscally sponsored programs may have different requirements).
  • Have completed all previous PCF grants; organizations with an open or non-compliant grant are ineligible.
  • Receive only one PCF grant per calendar year (e.g., Animal Welfare, Arts & Culture, Capital, Education, Senior or Vista Nova). Visit PCF’s Grants Calendar for more details.
  • Adhere to the Non-Discrimination Policy outlined below.

Pasadena Community Foundation does not make grants from discretionary funds to organizations that discriminate based on:

  • Actual or perceived rage, age, color
  • Gender identity, marital or parental status
  • Military service, national origin
  • Physical or mental ability
  • Political affiliation, sexual orientation, or religion

The following are not eligible for funding:

  • Individuals or households
  • Private schools
  • Organizations with open or non-compliant PCF grants
  • Activities intended to influence legislation or elections
  • Individual public schools or their support groups (e.g., PTA/PTO, booster clubs); PCF supports PUSD schools only through the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF)
  • Sectarian religious organizations or churches for religious purposes (community service programs may be considered if open to all and meet other criteria)
  • Agencies not directly performing services aligned with PCF’s mission (no regranting)
  • Building improvements on leased property (exceptions may be made for public entities or long-term leases at the board’s discretion)
  • Reporting requirements must be met to remain eligible for future PCF grants.
  • Agencies must also comply with PCF’s Grand Recognition Guidelines (see below).
  • Specific reporting deadlines and formats will be provided upon grant award.

Recognizing your grant helps honor the donors who make PCF’s work possible and encourages future community support. PCF actively promotes its grants and supports grantees in doing the same.

Grantee Responsibilities:

  • Acknowledge the grant in newsletters, press releases, and other communications.
  • Required Language: “This project was funded [or funded in part] by a grant from the Pasadena Community Foundation.”
  • Naming Convention: Use “Pasadena Community Foundation” on first reference; “PCF” may be used thereafter
  • Logo Usage: Use the approved PCF logo with written acknowledgement
  • Shared Coverage: Send copies of any media or press coverage mentioning the PCF grant to the Foundation: media@pasadenacf.org.

Communication & Resources:
Acknowledgement Letters: Mail to the program manager or email to Grants@Pasadenacf.Org

Foundation Description: Founded in 1953, the Pasadena Community Foundation promotes local philanthropy, with a mission to inspire generosity and engage the resources of our community for present needs unfulfilled and future needs unforeseen. The Foundation helps donors maximize the impact of their charitable contributions – strengthening the community, preserving cultural resources, and assisting those in need.

Application Details

Invest in our work

Yes Virginia Grantmaking

Help us expand our impact! Your donation supports holiday magic for little ones throughout the Greater Pasadena area.