How to Seek Funding

Children's Discovery Museum

The Shortino Foundation aims to be a committed partner that offers long-term, multi-year support to our grantees.

Since our focus is primarily on renewal grants and our endowment is relatively static, we do not typically have broad, open invitations for new grantmaking opportunities. However, we remain very interested in learning about the work being done in San Jose that aligns with our grantmaking strategy.

We would be glad to arrange a meeting to explore possible collaborations.

Below are our grantmaking guidelines. If your program or organization meets these criteria and you are interested in discussing potential partnerships, please feel free to contact us.

We invest in programs that support San Jose youth in the following focus areas: 

Academic Enrichment

Extended learning, out-of-school-time supports, or embedded academic programs to support the academic growth of students.   

Supportive Scholarship Programs

Programs providing financial aid and supportive services to K-12 students and post-secondary students who are the first in their family to attend college.  

Arts Education

High-quality, hands-on, culturally diverse arts education programs.

Wellness and Connection

Within the school context, organizations providing supportive services for vulnerable youth to enhance their social emotional development through mentoring, counseling, and wellness initiatives, to remove mental health as a barrier to learning.

Aligned Community Collaboratives

Community collaboratives working toward our collective vision. 

We strive to partner with partner organizations that:

  • Work with San Jose youth from systemically marginalized communities with multiple barriers to academic success.

  • Contribute to the holistic continuum of care for youth by providing embedded services, working with partners, or using referral networks.

  • Use trauma-informed practices when engaging with the community.

  • Integrate youth and community voice in planning and implementation.

  • Collaborate for systems change.

  • Are exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3), or governmental units under Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.