The Atkinson Foundation is a private grantmaking entity focused on enhancing the quality of life for residents of San Mateo County, California. With a strong emphasis on supporting individuals to achieve their highest potential in educational, social, and economic aspects, the foundation prioritizes funding for community-based and community-led organizations. Its mission emphasizes helping people become independent and self-sufficient, with particular attention to historically marginalized communities, especially BIPOC populations. The foundation is notably dedicated to supporting geographic areas within the Bay Area that house a significant concentration of San Mateo County residents.
The foundation awards approximately $1 million annually, with individual grant amounts typically ranging between $5,000 and $15,000. The funding is directed toward organizations that provide direct services to children, youth, families, immigrants, economically at-risk individuals, and people dealing with health conditions or recovering from addiction or abuse. Supported service areas include basic needs such as food and shelter, mental and physical health services, immigrant and refugee programs, and women’s services including reproductive and prenatal care, and support for survivors of domestic violence.
To qualify for funding, applicants must either operate under a 501(c)(3) IRS status or be fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) entity. Only organizations providing direct services to San Mateo County residents are considered, and priority is given to Bay Area-based groups serving a significant portion of this population. The foundation does not support individuals, research, events, annual appeals, scholarships, advocacy, or sports group sponsorships.
Applications must be submitted through an online grants portal. Applicants are encouraged to first download the Application Outline, which provides guidance on narrative questions and required documentation. The application process includes reviewing guidelines, registering, and logging into the portal to submit a complete application. New applicants are advised to contact the foundation in advance to verify eligibility, while returning grantees must apply in the same grantmaking round as in the previous year. If a proposal has been declined, the organization must wait one year before reapplying and is encouraged to contact Avani Patel, the Senior Program Officer, before doing so.
The foundation has a quarterly review cycle, with deadlines on January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31. Applications submitted after these deadlines are automatically considered for the following quarter. Decisions are communicated promptly after the board meetings in March, June, September, and December. The foundation is currently not accepting applications from organizations that have not received a grant in the last three years. For questions about the application process, applicants can reach out to Grants Manager Rachel Murch Watters at rmurchwatters@pfs-llc.net or call (415) 561-6540 ext. 284.
Begin by reviewing the guidelines and use the Application Outline to draft responses collaboratively before submitting through the portal.
