WHAT we do

San Carlos Community Foundation plays a central role in bringing together people and resources together to address our community’s most challenging opportunities. To address these opportunities and fund solutions, we bring together local nonprofits, caring donors and community leaders to contribute both financial resources and innovative ideas that effect lasting change.

In our initial years as we invest our initial endowment, our focus will be to amplify and support the good work of effective nonprofits and service organizations serving the San Carlos Community.  Our Community includes everyone who lives, works, learns and plays in San Carlos.

FOUNDING STORY

In 2018, the city of San Carlos received funds from a legal settlement with PG&E concerning the safety of a natural gas pipeline.  The City Council voted unanimously to set aside $2 million to create a Community Foundation.  

Late 2018, a city-wide call was put out for volunteers to participate in a Steering Committee.  56 people applied and 15 were selected ranging vastly in background and experiences representative of the San Carlos community.  The first meeting of the steering committee was November 29, 2018.  

The Steering Committee met every two weeks through May 2019 and subcommittees (Investment Policy, Grant Policy, Fundraising, Branding & Marketing, and Bylaws) were formed to draft the proposal for the formation of the San Carlos Community Foundation to City Council.

The drafted proposal and initial budget request was introduced during the May 13, 2019 San Carlos City Council meeting.  The proposal was well received and supported. On August 21, 2019 the Founding Board Members and officers were elected. Just shy of one year from the first steering committee meeting, the City of San Carlos and the Community Foundation of San Carlos signed the Endowment Agreement.