In 2021, the nation’s leading community foundation—which prioritizes local nonprofits and those led by people of color—awarded more than $2 billion in grants to nearly 6,000 organizations thanks to its generous donors
Jan. 19, 2022, Mountain View, Calif. — Silicon Valley Community Foundation distributed $2.27 billion in grants to nearly 6,000 nonprofits and community organizations in 2021 supporting education, youth and community development, health, public safety and other important community issues. $777 million went to nonprofits in the Bay Area. SVCF’s total grantmaking figure represents a 21.5% increase compared to 2020.
Starting in 2019, SVCF has operated under a new strategic plan, guided by a vision of an equitable, economically secure and vibrant future for all residents in Silicon Valley. The foundation has been working with donors to promote effective philanthropy with a focus on local giving. SCVF has also shifted its strategy to provide more general operating support and capacity-building grants to a broader range of organizations that serve people and build movements. These include smaller and emerging organizations led by people of color and allied organizations that amplify the voices and agency of historically underrepresented communities, including Black, Latinx, Indigenous and other communities of color and undocumented residents.
“At the start of 2021, we were determined to build on the progress we’d made in 2020 toward lasting change in our communities,” said Silicon Valley Community Foundation President and CEO Nicole Taylor. “We were deeply humbled to see that with our new grantmaking strategy in place, a refreshed focus on equity and our efforts to encourage more local giving by our donors, the foundation granted record-breaking amounts of money to vital community organizations. This is the kind of impact we want to continue to have.”
In 2021, SVCF distributed*:
- $2.27 billion in total grants to nearly 6,000 organizations
- $921 million to organizations in California
- $777 million in grants to Bay Area organizations (a 48% increase compared to 2020 and the most distributed in any region)
- More than 2,000 organizations in 10 Bay Area counties received grants
- $201 million in grants to nonprofits in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties (a 9% increase compared to 2020)
The vast majority of grants distributed by SVCF come from “advised funds,” including donor advised and corporate advised funds established at the community foundation by individuals, families and companies. Advised funds allow donors and companies to support charitable efforts locally, nationally and internationally. SVCF also makes discretionary grants from its own community endowment funds; these are staff-directed and board-approved, and support nonprofit organizations serving the residents of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. SVCF is committed to serving its neighbors through initiatives focused on supporting local leaders and organizations that prioritize racial equity and social justice.
“As we continue through the pandemic and work to build more resilient communities, SVCF is devoting our energy and resources to organizations that are helping their communities build the power, agency and voice to create movements that inspire real change,” Taylor said. “We look forward to continued collaboration with our donors and corporate partners as we work toward achieving a more equitable Silicon Valley together.”
*These figures are preliminary and unaudited.