Community Support Program

The Atkinson Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in San Francisco, California, that directs its grantmaking efforts toward fostering equitable and inclusive communities within San Mateo County. With a strong focus on community-based and community-led nonprofit organizations, the Foundation prioritizes support for historically marginalized populations, including BIPOC communities and those located in North County and the Coastside. It operates under a vision that affirms the power of grassroots leadership and the importance of localized solutions to address systemic inequities. Within its grantmaking portfolio, the Community Support program is a core funding area that underscores the Foundation’s commitment to human dignity and well-being. This program supports nonprofit organizations that deliver essential services to individuals and families in San Mateo County. The primary focus is on four key service categories: basic needs, mental and physical health services, immigrant and refugee programs, and services for women. Basic needs funding ensures access to food, shelter, and safety. Health-related grants cover prevention, intervention, and care services. Immigration-focused grants support the rights and advancement of newcomers, while women’s services include reproductive health and support for survivors of domestic violence. The Atkinson Foundation typically distributes around $1 million annually in grant awards across all program areas, with individual grant awards generally ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations with operating budgets under $10 million that provide the majority of their services to residents of San Mateo County. All applicants must operate under a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or be fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization. Public or private educational institutions, research entities, and national organizations are not eligible. The Foundation maintains a structured application process with clearly defined deadlines based on the sub-program area. For Community Support grants, the three categories have staggered deadlines throughout the year: Mental & Physical Health Services applications are due February 1, Immigrant/Refugee Programs by May 1, and Basic Needs by August 1. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the deadline date. Funding decisions are made at board meetings following each deadline, and grant payments are typically disbursed by the end of the month following the submission deadline. Applicants will be promptly notified of the board’s decision. Applicants can only receive one grant in a 12-month period, although multi-year grants may be awarded at the board's discretion. In the event that a proposal is declined, the organization must wait one year before reapplying. Prior to resubmission, applicants are encouraged to contact Evan Jones, the Foundation’s Senior Philanthropic Advisor, to discuss their program and ensure alignment with the Foundation’s priorities. For new applicants, an initial conversation with the Foundation is recommended to confirm eligibility. Applications must be tailored to the corresponding sub-program and submitted in accordance with the established deadlines. While the Foundation does not list specific proposal components or evaluation criteria on its website, the emphasis on community-led initiatives and services for underserved populations strongly suggests that alignment with these values is a critical factor in the selection process. The Foundation can be contacted by phone at (415) 561-6540. Their offices are located at 1660 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94109.

Prioritize alignment with BIPOC and marginalized community service; show community-based leadership and relevance to San Mateo County;