David & Lucille Packard Foundation

David and Lucile Packard believed America to be the home of a unique type of organization dependent upon private funding and volunteer leadership. Together, universities, national institutions, community groups, youth agencies, family planning centers, and hospitals constitute a great American tradition that complements government efforts to focus on society's needs.

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation was created in 1964 by David Packard (1912–1996), the co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard Company, and Lucile Salter Packard (1914–1987). Throughout their lives in business and philanthropy, the Packards sought to use private funds for the public good, giving back to a society which enabled them to prosper.

Guided by the business philosophy and values of Mr. & Mrs. Packard, this foundation invests in innovative people and organizations to improve the lives of children, enable the creative pursuit of science, advance reproductive health, and conserve and restore earth's natural systems. The significant economic downturn has affected all sectors, impacting our grantees and their resources as well as our own.

Areas of funding include:

1. Children, Families, and Communities Program - seeks to ensure opportunities for all children to reach their potential. The goal of this subprogram is to promote positive youth development through after-school programs for all elementary and middle school-aged children in California.
2. Local Grantmaking Program - provides support to community organizations which offer important cultural and social services in local geographic areas of historical importance to the Packard family. School-age children need safe places to go after the school day ends that offer educational, enriching activities. The Foundation recognizes that after-school programs are a bridge from the school day to after-school hours where learning can be reinforced in fun, creative ways. After-school programs also provide parents an alternative to their children staying home alone, unsupervised, during the hours of 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., when they are most vulnerable to engaging in negative behaviors.
3. Organizational Effectiveness and Philanthropy Funds - seek to strengthen the organizational effectiveness of grantee organizations, provide program-related investments to further program goals and objectives, and improve the practice of philanthropy. The Foundation support projects of current Foundation grantees to improve management, governance, and leadership by developing strategies, systems, structures, and skills. Also, the Foundation makes grants to help advance and support the field of private philanthropy.

I hope that this funding information is helpful for you and your organization!