Who We Are

• CFV is a nonprofit community foundation dedicated to strengthening communities across the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys.
• We envision a vibrant, healthy, and thriving Valley where every resident has access to the support they need to succeed.
• Our Foundation launched in 2003, and we’re governed by a diverse board of local business and community leaders who understand our region’s unique needs.

What We Do

• Our work focuses on five main areas: homelessness and housing, mental and physical health, disaster relief, education (K-12) and economic development.
• By providing grants to local service providers, we hope that our un-housed neighbors have access to the case management and resources they need to transition from the streets to stability.
• With the rising mental health crisis, we prioritize supporting programs that provide counseling, crisis intervention, and support systems for all ages. Our Foundation’s grant-making work hopes to bridge the gap to ensure no neighbor has to suffer in silence or go without care.
• A resilient Valley that is prepared for the unexpected. When crisis hits, we are the community’s “financial first responder.” Two recent examples: the Foundation supported wildfire relief efforts as well as services during the pandemic.
• We prioritize initiatives that ensure every child has an equitable path to success from preschool through graduation. As a Foundation, we want to support and empower students today to lead our community tomorrow.
• By fostering entrepreneurship and workforce readiness, we help ensure that our Valley remains a place where people can both work and afford to live. Through our investments, we’re building a bridge between education and employment, creating pathways for our residents to achieve financial independence and fuel our local economy.

Why Support the Foundation?

• Unlike national and county-wide foundations, our focus is on the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. We know the local nonprofits doing the best work and where your dollars will have the greatest impact. However, we also enable those who invest Donor Advised Funds with the CFV to give regionally or nationally, depending upon their personal values and charitable interests.
• We offer various giving vehicles, including Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), which are often more cost-effective and simpler than starting a private foundation.
• We help families and businesses create permanent “legacy funds” that support their favorite causes as part of their estate planning.
• We act as a “convener.” We bring together nonprofits, family and regional foundations, business and individual donors, and others through events and communications tools.
  FAQs

How is CFV different from a private family foundation?

We offer the same flexibility and personal involvement as a private foundation but without the high administrative costs, complex IRS reporting, or excise taxes. We handle the paperwork so you can focus on the joy of giving. We are a 501(c)(3) public charity. This means we are governed by a diverse board of local leaders and are held to high standards of transparency and community accountability.

Where does my money go?

Donations to our general fund support our five core pillars. However, donors can also create “Designated Funds” to support a specific cause or “Donor Advised Funds” through which they recommend designated charities to receive grants each year.

Is CFV only for “wealthy” donors?

Absolutely not. Community foundations are built by everyone. Whether you give $25 to our Disaster Relief Fund, $10,000 to open a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), or $250,000 to start an endowment, your gift stays local and makes a difference.

Can’t I just start a DAF with my financial advisor or my own Foundation?

Yes, but many families choose a Donor Advised Fund with Community Foundation of the Valleys instead of starting their own private foundations because it is faster, cheaper, and more impactful. Think of CFV as a permanent, growing “savings account” for the region.

How do you ensure my donation is used effectively?

We conduct rigorous due diligence on every nonprofit we fund. We review their financials, leadership, and impact metrics to ensure that every dollar granted is used responsibly and effectively.

What are your future goals? Will you expand?

Under our strategic plan, we are expanding our grantmaking capacity and increasing our visibility to ensure both Valleys get their fair share of philanthropic investment. Our “specialty” isn’t a single cause, but a single place. We focus on everything that makes the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys thrive, from housing to healthcare. We don’t have plans to expand outside these two regions.

Do you have examples of groups you’ve funded?

• CFV successfully raised and distributed emergency grants to 20 local nonprofits providing food, healthcare, and financial aid to vulnerable families during the pandemic.
• In 2025, our Donor Advised Fund holders gave grants to 27 nonprofits, most of which are serving local residents in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. Examples of the causes and programs that were funded include food pantries, educational support for students of all ages, case management, services for the un-housed, veterans, housing, job training, economic development, and more!
• We annually co-host a convening of local nonprofits to provide opportunities for networking, education, and skills-building. As part of this event, local and statewide leaders are brought in to provide presentations and to participate on panels of experts.