Past Causes
Children & the Arts
The Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) was founded in 1968 by two volunteers who, responding to the lack of music and arts education opportunities for children in the community, created an all volunteer community school of the arts. With $150 starting capital, 28 eager students, 10 volunteer teachers, and a passion for music and arts education, this unique Silicon Valley start-up launched itself from an old house rented from the city. 35 years later, CSMA has become the largest non-profit provider of arts education in the region, currently reaching 25,000 people of all ages annually through: arts-in-the-schools programs (Arts in Action, Music in Action); private lessons, classes and camps; free concerts, exhibits and community outreach events; and a generous financial aid program.
Music Will
Music Will believes that all children in our public schools deserve music education. Music education is a transforming force in children's lives. This is why we are dedicated to bringing free musical instruments and music instruction to public school children. At Music Will, we believe that Music Matters!
Music for Minors has been bringing comprehensive, well-respected music education programs to elementary schools throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara counties for over 30 years. For many of the children served, MFM programs are the only music education they will ever receive.
Old Skool Cafe is a one-of-a-kind, youth-run supper club featuring talented young chefs, waiters and entertainers. They're using a fresh approach to violence prevention -focusing on rehabilitating and giving hope to at-risk and previously incarcerated youth.
PaintBrush Diplomacy has been capturing the spirit of the world's children through art for over 25 years. Paintbrush Diplomacy's mission is to promote cross cultural understanding and artistic expression through the exchange and display of international children's art.
Playing For Change Foundation arose from a common belief that music has the power to connect people regardless of their differences. The Playing for Change Foundation was established in 2007 and was created to inspire, connect and bring peace to the world through music and arts education.
San Francisco-based mentoring program initiated in 1993, in which academic and life skills are developed when at-risk youth meet with artist-mentors to learn photography. Volunteer mentors are professional commercial and fine art photographers with a commitment to youth and to education. Their students are creative young people, aged 11-18, whose backgrounds include homelessness or other low-income living situations.
Venice Arts is an innovative arts center that brings talented artists together with low-income young people to guide them through experiences with the arts. Venice Arts helps build positive inter-ethnic relationships, exposing young people to the tools, ideas, and environments that help them express their creativity and improve their academic performance and job readiness.
West Coast Songwriters established in 1979, fosters creativity, builds community and support songwriters from song creation through music career development. Whether the goal is personal expression or to make a living in the music industry, knowing how to write a well crafted song or how to recognize one, is key to success in the music field. WCS encourages members at any age or level of ability to join, and is the most active music support networks in the country. With over 15 monthly events up and down the west coast, members are given numerous opportunities to learn about the art of songwriting, perform their songs, get feedback and have access to some of the most well respected members of the music industry. WCS is there to help anyone interested in writing, performing or working in the industry.
Youth Advocacy and Support
Mission is to help all members of families affected by childhood cancer to heal through peer support, respite, mentoring, and recreational programs.
Child Advocates, founded in 1986, trains and supports Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers to stand up for abused and neglected children in foster care, helping them thrive and find safe, permanent homes. Through the organization's Transitioning Teens Program, Advocate volunteers work with teens ages 14 to 18 to develop the life skills, network of relationships and life records needed to succeed as independent adults.
Serves youth between the ages of 5 and 19 years old with a wide array of educational, recreational and social activities in a safe and structured environment during after-school hours. No child will be turned away because of the inability to pay dues.
Mission is to provide support, information, and community to adolescents and young adults who are dealing with the physical and psychological effects of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Serves the full breadth of child welfare from prevention through emancipation or post-adoption. Help One Child offers support to the entire family to strengthen and encourage long-term placement stability and health.
Jeremiah's Promise offers shared housing with other emancipated teens who are provided with living services, mentors, academic support and life skills development in a nurturing environment, all of which are aimed at fully equipping them for life beyond foster care.
Pacific Autism Center for Education - Autism rates have increased at an alarming rate—nearly one in every 166 children born today will be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, more than 10 times the incidence only 20 years ago. Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE), founded in 1989, provides therapy, education, housing and, most of all, hope for those with autism through PACE Early Intervention program for toddlers and preschoolers, PACE school for students ages 6-22, Adult Day program and Residential.
Square Peg Foundation's mission is simple: We turn "I Wish" into "I Can". We focus on building self image, one student at a time through our horsemanship programs and horse rescue operation. The horse is a unique example of gentleness and power and responds to all people according to their intentions, not their age, size, race, or social status. At Square Peg; EveryONE Fits.
Support Network for Battered Women - The leading cause of death among pregnant women is domestic violence. Half of all homeless mothers and children are running away from domestic violence. The Support Network for Battered Women strives to empower our diverse community to live free from Domestic Violence.
Today's Youth Matter - TYM is changing the life trajectory of at-risk youth. Through year-round programming and mentoring relationship, we guide students through a Transformational Journey to instill resilience and fulfill their God given potential.
Reading Partners YES Reading is a literacy organization that recruits and trains community volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring for at-risk elementary and middle school students reading significantly below grade level. YES Reading partners with high-need schools, collaborates with classroom teachers, and provides tutors with ongoing training and on-site support. YES Reading's premise is that community involvement in traditionally underserved public schools is a critical component of student achievement and success.
Community Engagement
Full Circle Fund brings the community together to leverage resources and accelerate nonprofits to build a better Bay Area.
Acterra brings people together to create local solutions for a healthy planet. Acterra focusses on what you can do locally to address current environmental problems. In the face of daunting environmental challenges, our science-based approach instills hope while building community.
Health
Bay Area Lyme Foundation focuses on prevention and development of diagnostics and treatments for Lyme disease, one of the most common vector-borne infectious diseases in the world.
Environmental Stewardship
Acterra brings people together to create local solutions for a healthy planet. Acterra focusses on what you can do locally to address current environmental problems. In the face of daunting environmental challenges, our science-based approach instills hope while building community.
Hidden Villa fosters educational experiences that build connections and inspire a deeper appreciation and respect for nature, food, and one another.