One of the legacies that former City Manager Rory Robinson (1988 to 2000) left behind for the community was the creation of the San Pablo Community Foundation.  His vision was to create a mechanism to raise money on behalf of private non-profit service providers working in San Pablo and West Contra Costa County. 

On November 6, 1995, the city issued a gaming license to San Francisco Casino Management for the Casino San Pablo gaming club. A requirement of Casino San Pablo through the Municipal Services Agreement with the city is to contribute one percent of the annual gaming club profits to the Community Foundation, and the contribution is not to be less than $25,000 each year. The San Pablo Community Foundation distributes these and other contributions and services to approved grant applicants through a non-profit, public benefit corporation called the East Bay Community Foundation.

Other contributions made to the Community Foundation include donations made through city-sponsored events such as the Annual Foundation Dinner.

Rory Robinson's original vision and work, along with the generosity of the Lytton Band of the Pomo Indians allow the Community Foundation to continue to support many worthy local organizations.

Annual Fundraiser

Since 1996 the City of San Pablo has sponsored an annual fundraiser dinner using different themes and food interests to raise money for a local charitable or non-profit organization.  The events have been held at Casino San Pablo, Maple Hall and the Event Center.

The 2010 Fundraiser "Starlight Martini" will take place on Friday, September 10th at Maple Hall. More information will be posted soon.

For information, please contact Mike Heller at 510-215-3132.

The Foundation Board of Directors reviews applications and awards all grants. Only public entities or non-profit organizations officially recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible for funding.

Grant applications are issued once each year in the Spring. For more information or to request an application, please contact the City Clerk's office at 510.215.3012.

2009 Mini-Grants:

The San Pablo Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2009 Mini-Grant allocation. Congratulations to the following organizations:

• Assistance League of Diablo Valley

           Helms Involving Parents (HIP) and Violence

• B.A.S.I.C. Ministries

           Tri-City Ravens Football and Cheer

• Bay Area Community Resources

           Intern Counseling Program

• BEAR Swimming

           Funding for BEAR Swimming

• Catholic Charities of the East Bay

           Family Literacy Project: SummerEnrichment Program

• Community Housing Development Corporation

           Earn It! Keep It! Save It!

• Community Violence Solutions

           Safe 4 Us - Expansion of Services 

• Contra Costa Child Care Council

           Early Start to Success

• Contra Costa College Office of Financial Assistance

           "Transition to Success" Former Foster Youth Program

• Early Childhood Mental Health Program

           The San Pablo Family Support Fund

• Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano

           Food Distribution Programs in San Pablo

• The Hatlen Center for the Blind

           Computer Upgrade 

• San Pablo Baseball Association

           Learn to Play Baseball and Enrich the Community

• West Contra Costa Business Development Center

           Local Economic Development Initiative

2008 Mini-Grants

The San Pablo Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2008 Mini-Grant allocation. Congratulations to the following organizations:

• Brookside Community Health Center

           Updated Vaccine Control

• East Bay Center for the Performing Arts

           After School Performing Arts Training Program

• EcoVillage Farm Learning Center

           Greening San Pablo while Promoting Food Security

• Family Stress Center

           San Pablo One Stop Career Center/Client Benefit Incentives

• Mary's House

           Supporting Residents and Volunteers

• National Institute of Art and Disabilities

           Opening Doors for San Pablo Artists Project

• San Pablo Library

           San Pablo Youth Explore Science at the Library 

• Street Tech

           San Pablo Get Employed Today in ITl

• VESTIA, Inc.

           Kids to Camp

• West County Adult Day Care Center/Alzheimer's Respite Center Reaching our to Residents living with Alzheimer's Disease

Contributions provided by Casino San Pablo, The City of San Pablo, and the many other generous individuals and businesses throughout the west county area make it possible to provide funding to so many vital organizations and services in the City of San Pablo, we thank everyone.

The Board of Directors consists of eleven members appointed by the City Council. The initial service terms are staggered in two-, three- and four-year increments; succeeding terms are two years. The Board of Directors is considered a legislative body subject to the requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act, and they meet a minimum of three times each year.

Make a Difference, Participate on the Board

Be a decision-maker in the betterment of San Pablo residents by joining the Foundation Board.  The Board is currently seeking creative, enthusiastic indivuduals to fill one (2 year) seat.  We invite you to submit an application.

Board Member Application.pdf

Board Member Application.doc

In addition to the Foundation's philanthropic endeavors, you can participate in the annual fund-raising dinner scheduled for September, 2008. Have a look at the 2006 Evening of International Splendor (Note: click the navigation buttons on the bottom-left to manually advance the slides.)