MANUEL J. SANTAMARÍA
PROGRAM OFFICER

As program officer, Manuel is part of the grantmaking team that works on education and community building issues for Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Manuel joined Peninsula Community Foundation in 1999 and managed the nine community collaborative sites of the Peninsula Partnership for Children, Youth and Families™, which brought together city-, school- and community-based organizations in San Mateo County. Manuel helped launch and manage community-wide initiatives that improved the health and well-being of children ages 0-8 years old.

Prior to his work with the community foundation, he developed and led initiatives for a network of family resource centers; helped develop education programs for children and adults; and has worked with local organizations that advocate for the protection of immigrant rights.

Manuel is a bilingual and bicultural facilitator with extensive community-based teaching and organizing experience. Manuel has worked with people of all ages, religions, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations and political inclinations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and a master’s degree in public administration.