Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Atkinson Foundation Grant Program.
Donor Name: Atkinson Foundation
State: California
County: San Mateo County (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/01/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Funding Priorities
- The Atkinson Foundation provides opportunities for individuals in San Mateo County to attain their highest potential in areas of educational, social, and economic life; to assist their efforts to become independent and self-sufficient; and to generally improve the quality of their lives. Primary consideration is given to programs that benefit children, youth, and families; immigrants; those who are economically at-risk; people with mental and/or physical health conditions; those recovering from addiction; those affected by physical abuse.
- Foundation distribute approximately one million dollars in grants each year. Grant amounts vary depending on an organization’s size, project, and need.
- Foundation are committed to supporting community-based and community-led organizations that address the needs identified by the communities they serve. This includes support to organizations focused on geographic areas and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities in San Mateo County that have historically been marginalized. The Foundation does not actively seek to fund organizations with leadership who enter communities with external solutions.
- The Foundation supports organizations that provide direct services to residents of San Mateo County. In the decision-making, foundation prioritize Bay Area-based organizations that serve a significant concentration of San Mateo County residents.
Funding Information
Most grants range between $5,000 and $15,000.
Uses of Funds
- Education and Youth Development
- In-School Programs
- Enhancing K-12 public education curriculum and provide academic and/or enrichment activities to underserved students (programs that take place in schools, but are offered by nonprofit organizations)
- Out-of-School Programs
- Providing youth development opportunities to underserved students in grades K-12 (programs that take place away from school sites)
- Early Childhood Care and Education
- Assisting low-income families in the caring and early learning journey of their young children
- Vocational Education
- Providing youth and adults who face significant obstacles to employment with training and services that prepare them for job placement
- In-School Programs
- Community Support
- Basic Needs
- Providing such as food, shelter, and/or family support resources to help sustain healthy families and strong communities
- Mental/Physical Health Services
- Supporting the well-being of youth and adults faced with mental and/or physical health conditions and addictions
- Immigrants/Refugees Programs
- Protecting the rights of newcomers and create opportunities for forward mobility
- Women’s Services
- Supporting reproductive and prenatal care, and wrap-around services for survivors of domestic violence, to ensure all women are healthy and safe.
- Basic Needs
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible organizations must meet the following guidelines to be considered for grant funding:
- Operate under an IRS 501(c)(3) status or fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization
- Provide direct services to residents of San Mateo County, California. In the decision-making, foundation prioritize Bay Area-based organizations that serve a significant concentration of San Mateo County residents.
- All grants are one-year grants.
- The foundation does not support research, individuals, events, annual appeals, scholarships, advocacy efforts, sports group sponsorship, or statewide/national umbrella organizations.
- New Applicants
- New applicants are welcome to call the foundation to determine if their organization is within guidelines before submitting a proposal. Click here for staff contact information.
For more information, visit Atkinson Foundation.
