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Grantmaking Guidelines

Founded in 1968, The Gamble Foundation is primarily interested in supporting organizations that serve disadvantaged children and youth in San Francisco, Marin and Napa counties. Within the field of youth development, the Foundation focuses on educational and personal enrichment programs designed to open doors of opportunity for at-risk youth in order to help them succeed in school and become productive, self-sufficient members of society. The Foundation is particularly interested in agricultural/environmental education, vocational training, and programs that prevent substance abuse and teen violence. To a lesser degree, the Foundation supports environmental organizations that focus on land preservation and sustainability, animal welfare and management, and pollution control.

The Foundation prefers to fund specific projects rather than annual appeals. In general, the Foundation does not support religious entities, medical research, individuals, endowments, or capital improvements. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000. All requests are answered with a written response.

Annual Grant Reports
2007 | 2006 | 2005 [Click to download Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF format]
*for previous years, please contact the office

Application Procedure
updated 03/19/08

The Foundation is no longer accepting proposals for 2008 grants. Please contact the staff in January of 2009 regarding 2009 grants.

Interested organizations should contact the staff by phone with questions regarding submission of a proposal. The Board meets once in the spring each year and grants are made in the fall.

Proposals must include the following:

  • Cover letter, on organization letterhead with address and phone number, including a brief summary of the request and a list of attachments (not more than one page)
  • Proposal narrative (not to exceed 5 pages)
    • Concise description of the organization (not more than two pages)
      • Relevant history
      • Mission
      • Geography and populations served
      • Overview of programs
    • Description of the project (not more than three pages)
      • Need
      • Purpose, goals
      • Timeline
      • Project budget, including secured and projected sources of funding
  • Financial statement, including actual revenue and expenses for the organization’s most recently completed fiscal year
  • Organizational budget for the present year, detailing proposed expenditures and projected sources of funding (not more than two pages)
  • List of major public and private funders, identifying both secured and planned for funds
  • List of the Board of Directors, with affiliations
  • Copy of the agency's IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt determination letter
The Gamble Foundation is committed to minimizing its impact on the environment. Do not send audio-visual materials, binders, folders, or pamphlets unless requested.

Receipt of proposals will be acknowledged with a written response within a reasonable period of time. Should additional information be required, applicants will be contacted.

Contact Information

Please direct all questions and proposals to:
Eric L. Sloan
esloan@pfs-llc.net
c/o Pacific Foundation Services
1660 Bush Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, California 94109
(415) 561-6540 ext. 205
(415) 561-6477 (FAX)