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Pasadena Community Foundation

Annual Giving
$9.6M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9.55 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 1-2 months (varies by program)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre (Pasadena Unified School District boundaries)

Contact Details

Address: 301 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 810, Pasadena, CA 91101

Phone: (626) 796-2097

Email: pcfstaff@pasadenacf.org

Grant Inquiries: Grants@Pasadenacf.org

Website: https://pasadenacf.org

Overview

Founded in 1953 and reorganized as a nonprofit public benefit corporation in 2003, the Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) is a community foundation with assets totaling $187.5 million as of 2024 (a 16% increase over 2023). PCF's mission is to "inspire generosity and engage the resources of our community for present needs unfulfilled and future needs unforeseen." Since inception, PCF has granted $210 million to nonprofits, with $28 million awarded to Pasadena-area organizations since 2020 alone. In 2024, PCF awarded $9.55 million in total grants—an 18% increase over 2023—supporting 100 local nonprofits through strategic philanthropy across six impact areas. The foundation earned a Four-Star rating (100% score) from Charity Navigator. In 2025, Khanh Russo joined as President & CEO, bringing over 20 years of experience in equity-centered philanthropy from the San Francisco Foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

PCF offers multiple competitive grant programs:

  • Education Grants: $10,000 - $25,000 | Supports programs serving foster youth, students of color, and first-generation or low-income students in areas including early learning, academic interventions, youth development, college access, and family engagement.

  • Capital Grants: $5,000 - $25,000 (standard); $50,000 (Capital Campaign grants) | Supports capital projects with 3-5 year impact that enhance organizational capacity and infrastructure. Application opens December 17, 2025; deadline February 18, 2026; decisions April 2026.

  • Arts & Culture Grants: $5,000 - $25,000 | Supports transitional innovation, technology integration, audience development, and community partnerships. Deadline November 6, 2025; decisions early December 2025.

  • Senior Care Grants: $5,000 - $10,000 | Supports programs serving seniors age 65+ who are mentally, physically, or economically frail, with particular interest in homebound seniors. Focuses on health, safety, nutrition, daily living assistance, and medical services.

  • Animal Welfare Grants: $5,000 - $20,000 | Alternates focus annually—odd years support companion/domestic animal programs; even years support wildlife and habitat conservation.

  • Food Security Grants: By invitation only | Supports organizations addressing food insecurity.

  • Vista Nova Grants: $5,000 - $10,000 | By invitation only | Supports programs and services for blind or visually impaired individuals in Greater Pasadena and eastern L.A. County.

All grants use rolling and fixed deadlines depending on the program. Applications submitted through PCF's online grantmaking portal.

Priority Areas

PCF's grantmaking focuses on six strategic Impact Areas:

  1. Arts & Culture: Museums, arts education, historic preservation, cultural programs, performing/visual/literary arts
  2. Community & Economic Development: Job training, disaster relief, public libraries, affordable housing
  3. Environment & Animal Welfare: Domestic and wildlife animal care, urban forests, parks, Arroyo Seco, foothills
  4. Health & Safety: Medical research, disease prevention, health initiatives, end-of-life care
  5. Human Services: Food insecurity, homelessness, seniors, adults in recovery, individuals with learning differences and developmental/intellectual disabilities
  6. Youth & Education: Expanding opportunities within PUSD, college scholarships, youth well-being

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Private schools
  • Religious organizations (for religious purposes)
  • Political activities
  • Organizations with open or non-compliant previous PCF grants
  • Organizations that discriminate based on race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or other protected characteristics

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Board Chair: Margaret Sabbag, Community Volunteer with investment banking background. Sabbag emphasizes community service, stating her focus has been "on raising their three daughters and serving in a wide variety of school and other volunteer roles."

Vice Chair: Sonia Singla, Chief Administration Officer, physician and scientist

Notable Board Members:

  • Bill Bogaard, Former Pasadena Mayor
  • Frank Cardenas, Attorney and Educator
  • Scott Christopher, Retired Managing Director, J.P. Morgan
  • Phyllis Crandon, Retired Senior Private Banker
  • Ivy Lee Keltner (joined 2024)

The board comprises diverse backgrounds spanning finance, healthcare, law, education, and public service. The board is described as "passionate leaders who ensure every philanthropic dollar is invested wisely, every grant makes an impact, and every voice in our community is heard."

Executive Leadership

President & CEO: Khanh Russo (joined June 9, 2025), previously Vice President of Policy and Innovation at the San Francisco Foundation where he led regional and statewide initiatives advancing racial equity and economic inclusion.

Russo's vision emphasizes community-centered philanthropy: "Listening is where you have to start. The best way to serve community is to center community, and center community voice." He focuses on strengthening nonprofit partnerships, stating partnerships are PCF's "superpower," and works to deepen impact through responsive grantmaking, civic collaborations, and long-term investments in housing, health, education, and the arts.

Former President & CEO: Jennifer DeVoll retired in June 2025 after 22 years of leadership; now serves as Executive Director of Altadena Builds Back Foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through PCF's Online Grantmaking Portal (links available on specific grant program pages when applications are open).

General Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or qualify under Section 170(c)(1) or (2)(b)
  • Must serve populations within Pasadena Unified School District boundaries (Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre)
  • Generally require at least two years of operational history
  • One grant per calendar year limitation: Organizations may receive only ONE grant per calendar year from PCF's competitive programs (Animal Welfare, Arts & Culture, Capital, Education, Senior Care, or Vista Nova)

Decision Timeline

Timelines vary by program:

  • Capital Grants: Application opens December 17, 2025; deadline February 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM; decisions April 2026 (approximately 6-8 weeks from deadline)
  • Arts & Culture Grants: Deadline November 6, 2025; decisions early December 2025 (approximately 4 weeks)
  • Education Grants: Varies; next deadline TBD
  • Other programs: Timing varies; contact Grants@Pasadenacf.org for current schedules

Notification methods not specified but likely through the online portal and email.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available. In 2024, PCF awarded $2.5 million in competitive grants to 100 local nonprofits. For context:

  • 2024 Arts & Culture: 16 organizations funded ($302,000 total)
  • 2024 Senior Grants: 8 organizations funded ($94,500 total)
  • 2023 Education Grants: 8 organizations funded ($185,000 total)

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent grant cycles. Organizations denied in one year can apply the following year. However, organizations with open or non-compliant grants from PCF are ineligible until those obligations are fulfilled.

Application Success Factors

Based on PCF's documented priorities and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

Strategic Alignment with PCF Values

PCF's grantmaking "adapts to the evolving needs of the community, ensuring that resources are directed where they're needed most, whether for immediate relief or strategic long-term efforts." Applications should demonstrate responsiveness to current community needs.

Community-Centered Approach

President & CEO Khanh Russo emphasizes: "The best way to serve community is to center community, and center community voice." Applications should demonstrate authentic community engagement and include perspectives of those with lived experience.

Meaningful Impact and Sustainability

For Capital Grants specifically, PCF looks for "projects with a useful life of at least 3-5 years that represent a meaningful investment in the organization's infrastructure or capacity" and demonstrate how capital investment will "enhance the organization's ability to serve the community effectively and sustainably."

Serving Underserved Populations

Education grants prioritize programs serving "foster youth, students of color, and first-generation or low-income students." Similar equity focus appears across all program areas.

Innovation and Adaptation

Arts & Culture grants emphasize "transitional innovation projects that help organizations adapt to challenges through innovation, change management, or organizational restructuring" and "proposals that incorporate technology to enhance programming, operations, or audience experience."

Leveraging Community Resources

For Capital Campaign grants ($50,000), PCF encourages "use of local Pasadena-area vendors" and looks for organizations engaged in active public fundraising efforts for transformational initiatives.

Examples of Recent Grantees

2024 Arts & Culture Grantees (16 organizations, $302,000 total): A Noise Within, Armory Center for the Arts, Boston Court Pasadena, Fulcrum Arts, Light Bringer Project, Mt. Lowe Chamber Players, MUSE/IQUE, Nancy Evans Dance Theatre, Parson's Nose Theater, Pasadena Master Chorale, Pasadena Pro Musica, Pasadena Symphony Association, Side Street Projects, Sierra Madre Playhouse, Soul Force Project, Synchromy

2024 Food Security Grantees ($100,000 total): Friends In Deed, First AME Church, PACTL, NDLON National Day Laborer Organizing Network

Education Grant Example: College Access Plan received funding as highlighted in a 2024 grantee spotlight, along with Reading Partners and YWCA Glendale and Pasadena in the 2023 cycle.

Community Engagement Approach

PCF "regularly leverages expert voices for a range of issues while also including those with lived experiences, and invites community members to participate in grant committees." This suggests applications incorporating both expert and lived experience perspectives are valued.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic specificity is essential: Your organization must serve populations within Pasadena Unified School District boundaries (Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre). Clearly demonstrate your local presence and impact.

  • One grant per year policy: Strategically choose which PCF program best fits your needs, as you can only receive one competitive grant per calendar year from the six main programs.

  • Multi-year impact for capital projects: Capital grant applications must demonstrate 3-5 year sustainability and show how infrastructure improvements will enhance long-term community service delivery.

  • Center community voice: Follow President Russo's guidance by demonstrating authentic community engagement and centering the voices of those you serve, particularly those with lived experience.

  • Equity and underserved populations: Prioritize serving foster youth, students of color, first-generation students, low-income populations, seniors, and other underserved communities in your application narrative.

  • Build relationships through participation: PCF invites community members to participate in grant committees—this could be a relationship-building opportunity to understand PCF's values and decision-making process.

  • Innovation and adaptation: Particularly for Arts & Culture grants, demonstrate how your organization is innovating, adapting to challenges, and leveraging technology to enhance impact and reach underserved audiences.

References

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