Some foundations are like the nonprofits they sustain: humble, quietly supportive, and focused impacting people’s lives on a personal, grassroots level. That would be a good way to describe the Atkinson Foundation, which has been a steadfast Puente grant partner since 2005. Since that time the foundation has bolstered Puente’s operating expenses to the tune of $96,000. “They’ve been the quiet, steady and undemanding hand. They’ve been there at every turn to provide Puente with the flexibility to both meet basic needs as well as create new projects,” said Kerry Lobel, executive director of Puente. What does that look like in the context of regional leadership? The Atkinson Foundation is one of the oldest grant-making organizations on the Peninsula, and gives the great majority of its annual support to San Mateo County-based organizations that work in some aspect of social services or education. The foundation makes grants based on a principle of self-sufficiency – that given the right tools, people can improve the quality of their own lives. Many grantees are the only organizations that serve a particular need in their part of the county, such as a nature awareness program for foster youth in Half Moon Bay, or rape trauma services in Burlingame. “We’re nitty-gritty. Out impact comes from consistency over the years and helping small organizations get funded,” … Continue reading Why We give to Puente: Atkinson Foundation