The Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce Educational Endowment Fund
Established in June 1990 to provide grants for educational programs or projects in Crescenta Valley, the Fund is supported by individual contributions & community fundraisers including the Smart-A-Thon. Mission & Vision
The Educational Endowment Fund provides financial support to innovative as well as traditional educational programs and projects in public and private schools and community organizations in the Crescenta Valley. Our goal is to enrich educational opportunities by supporting building, equipment, instruction, guidance, coaching, practical application, classroom activities, in-service, training and/or practice programs. All qualified organizations are invited to submit grant applications once a year for grants that will be awarded at the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce Installation Luncheon in early January. The Fund is invested with the Community Foundation of the Verdugos. Average grant sizes are from $500 to $3,000. Application Guidelines Eligible Organizations
Tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, known as nonprofit public charities, and not a private foundation under 509(a) of the Code, or organizations that are 501(c) 6. An organization may apply for no more than two grants during a grant cycle, although the president, school principal or leader must indicate awareness of multiple requests and each application must be for different types of support. Grants Will Support

• Equipment Purchase, Replacement & Modernization
• Improvement to Facilities including Athletic Facilities
• Printed Materials
• Fundraising Events or Capital Campaigns
• Classroom Materials
• Public/Private Schools and Colleges
• Child Day Care/Development Centers
• Libraries
• Hospitals
• Community Enrichment Projects
• Salaries

Grants Will Not Support

• Uniforms or Clothing
• Travel Expenses
• Fiscal Agents
• Individuals and Individual Scholarships
• Endowment Funds
• Feasibility Studies or Consulting Fees
• Advertising
• Research
• Political Lobbying, Voter Registration or Political Campaigns
• Insurance or Maintenance Contracts
• Faith-based Projects

Geographic Location
Must be in the Crescenta Valley (includes La Crescenta, Montrose, Tujunga and La Canada). "Parent organizations" located outside the Crescenta Valley but delivering educational programs in the Crescenta Valley are eligible. Please indicate the number of Crescenta Valley residents who will be served by your program. Guiding Principle
A guiding principle for the Fund is that we are committed to collaboration and seek to establish partnerships in order to promote quality education which we believe is key to the most satisfying quality of life for all of our citizens. Please note that the availability of grant funds permits a favorable response to only a limited number of requests. Lack of approval bears no reflection on the worthiness and merit of the proposal and organization submitting the request. For the full application click here . Contact Person
Address questions to Edna Karinski, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of the Verdugos, (818) 241-8040, or Julia Rabago, Executive Director of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce, (818) 248-4957. Members of the Board of Advisors
Warren Boehm*, Rick Dinger, Jo Loomis*, Jean Maluccio*, Roberta Parker*, Mary Pinola*, Teri Rice*, Renee Riendeau, Patty Steur*, EleanorWacker,* and Chris Waldheim. In addition, the Fund is served by consultants Sally Buckley, former Principal of Rosemont Middle School; Howard Hakes, 2009-2010 Honorary Mayor, Crescenta Valley; and Gene "Chip" Stone, President of the Glendale Educational Foundation and Senior Vice President, Smith Barney. The Fund is invested with the Community Foundation of the Verdugos, Edna Karinski, Executive Director.

* Indicates a member who served on the Founding Board of Directors and has continued to serve since the Fund's inception in 1990.