Foundation Honored as AFP Grant Maker of the Year

PALO ALTO – The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health has been named the Outstanding Foundation Grant Maker of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Silicon Valley Chapter.

The award, presented Nov. 19, at the Silicon Valley Philanthropy Day luncheon in San Jose, recognizes the foundation’s “innovative and sound processes for philanthropy and community involvement,” according to a nomination letter submitted by state Assemblymember Joe Simitian. The foundation also was nominated for the award by InnVision, a San Jose-based social service agency.

“We are honored to have been recognized among such a prestigious group of fundraising professionals and volunteers,” said Stephen Peeps, foundation president and CEO. “We share this honor with our grantee partners, who provide direct service to children every day.”

Since December 2000, the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health has awarded 245 grants, totaling nearly $23 million, to 135 different nonprofit organizations. The foundation supports programs in two focus areas: protecting children, ages 0-5, from injury, with an emphasis on preventing abuse and neglect; and promoting behavioral and emotional health in preteens, ages 9-13. Grants are awarded twice a year.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is a professional association that promotes and generates philanthropic support for nonprofit organizations in four countries. There are 172 AFP chapters throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China.

Previous winners of the Foundation Grant Maker of the Year award include the Sobrato Family Foundation, the Noyce Foundation, Community Foundation Silicon Valley, the Health Trust, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Valley Foundation.