Human Services Grants

Emerging Needs Fund

The Emerging Needs Fund assists nonprofits serving Palo Alto residents with short-term and/or urgent funding to address emergency, critical or emerging human services needs. For more information, please read the Emerging Needs Policy Information.

Emerging Needs Fund Recipients

Agency	Program Description	Funding Amount	Fiscal Year
Avenidas	Expand services for the Door to Door Program to include escort accompaniment during medical appointments for seniors with cognitive and physical impairments.	$7,500	FY24
Move Mountain View	Construct and supply a computer lab at the Geng Road Safe Parking Lot.	$6,500	FY24
Palo Alto Community Child Care	Increase staffing to accommodate the addition of more Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) students enrolled in after school care.	$5,000	FY24
NAMI Santa Clara County	Provide "Enduring the Silence Program" in four high schools in Palo Alto.	$10,000	FY24
Palo Alto Friends Nursery School	Outreach and equipment needed to expand preschool services to 2-year olds.	$6,500	FY24
DreamCatchers	Expand programming through the creation of an improved curriculum.	$9,500	FY24
AbilityPath	Removal of hazards on the playground at the Learning Links school site.	$7,703	FY25
LifeMoves	Replacement and addition of new storage lockers for client use.	$10,000	FY25
Peninsula Healthcare Connection	Upgrade to a cloud-based server for secure data management. Repainting for compliance and safety enhancements, purchase of a two-way radio for safety communication.	$8,039	FY25
Downtown Streets Team	Domestic violence hotel, transportation, and basic needs funds.	$10,000	FY25
Karat School Project	Distribute gift cards to support outreach interactions with immigrant families to offer updates on legal rights, safety resources, and available services.	$4,258	FY25
PARCA	Distribute fresh fruits and vegetable, and other fresh foods, that are no longer available at Second Harvest food bank due to budgets cuts and that are not affordable for developmentally disabled residents at Page Mill Court.	$10,000	FY25

Human Services Resource Allocation Process

Human Services Resource Allocation Process (HSRAP) is a grant program open to organizations who deliver direct services to Palo Alto residents so that they have a safety net of services. Money is allocated through the City’s General Fund. Current funding priorities include senior services, early care and education, youth services, developmentally disabled services, homeless services, and low-income healthcare. Applications for funds are solicited and reviewed on a biennial basis.

The period to submit a HSRAP proposal, for the Fiscal Year 2028-29 funding term (July 2027-June 2029), will open in fall/winter 2026. Visit the HSRAP page for more information about the grant and application process.

HSRAP Awards FY26

Agency	Program Description	Award Amount
AbilityPath	Adult Services for people with developmental disabilities.	$67,556
Ada's Cafe	Employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.	$57,000
Adolescent Counseling Services	Support and empowerment for LGBTQIA+ youth.	$45,125
Alta Housing	Academic support and skill-building opportunities to low-income students and increase food and financial resiliency for families.	$43,878
Counseling and Support Services for Youth (CASSY)	Therapy for students to increase social-emotional wellbeing, self-regulation, and coping strategies.	$23,764
Children's Health Council	Provide transportation to access in-person therapy, basic food needs, and clinician recommended therapy supplies for families with children ages 5-22 with Medi-Cal.	9,815
Downtown Streets Team	Work experience program that empowers and supports individuals experiencing homelessness.	$73,234
DreamCatchers	After-school tutoring and mentorship program for low-income middle school students.	$56,857
Heart and Home Collaborative	Winter shelter for women experiencing homelessness.	$56,583
Kara	Comprehensive grief support, crisis intervention and education to individuals and families facing grief and loss.	$28,500
Karat School Project	RV Community Outreach program to build relationships and meet immediate needs of families living in RVs.	$35,180
La Comida	Provides nutritious and affordable lunches to seniors while creating a socially stimulating atmosphere.	$58.900
LifeMoves	Provides critical food services for individuals experiencing homelessness.	$47,087
Loaves and Fishes Family Kitchen	Meals on Wheels; fully-prepared meals delivered to vulnerable seniors.	$23,750
Parents and Advocates of Remarkable Children and Adults (PARCA)	On-site support services for developmentally disabled adults living in a residential program.	$27,075
Peninsula Healthcare Connection	Provide basic needs through community-based services that target the immediate health needs of hard to reach individuals experiencing homelessness.	$77,781
Ravenswood Family Health Network	Provides health care access to vulnerable residents to ensure they receive patient-centered health care services.	$67,687
Senior Adults Legal Assistance	Provides a wide range of legal services, from advice/referrals to comprehensive legal representation, for adults aged 60 and older.	$22,800
Vista Center	Provide visually impaired seniors with the skills and support necessary to remain independent, safe, employed and mobile.	$59,313
YMCA Palo Alto	Senior fitness programming and financial assistance for senior memberships.	$17,100
Youth Community Service	Youth well-being and leadership program services through community service projects.	$42,750
	TOTAL	$941,735

To receive notices and updates for both funding opportunities, please send an email to alayna.cruz@paloalto.gov.

Human Services Needs Assessment

The purpose of the HSNA is to attain a better understanding of local service needs (such as food, housing, mental health, seniors, children and youth, unhoused, low-income, and more) which will help guide future Human Services Resource Allocation Process (HSRAP) funding priorities. Click HERE to learn more.