Approach

The Silicon Valley Program’s vision is that our communities’ low-wage, housing-insecure residents and families, especially those historically and currently excluded from resources, are connected to community, achieve economic advancement, and have agency to craft their future.

Our investment approach reflects Sobrato’s commitment to addressing long-standing multi-generational crises in the most vulnerable communities in the region. The criteria stem from careful consideration and thought partnership with grantees and community leaders to increase trust, resources and maximize impact.  Over 200 organizations, youth and residents, and 300 touchpoints through one-to-ones, community convenings, neighborhood walks, and surveys informed our work, alongside hyper-local and regional data and evidence-based research.

The Silicon Valley Program’s investments signal targeted support for grantees engaged in:

  • Economic mobility approaches advancing economic success, power, and agency, and cultivating a sense of belonging for individuals and families within our priority communities 
  • Systems change
  • Grassroots leadership and centering community voice
  • Strengthened networks and community infrastructure

Our distinct but synergistic strategies will operate at the regional and community level leveraging regional leadership, place-based grantmaking, and Social Purpose Real Estate.

Grantmaking criteria in detail.

Application Guidelines

Grant proposals and the Sobrato Center for Nonprofits office space applications are extended by invitation only. We do not fund individuals, fundraising events or endowment campaigns, school-managed clubs, or medical research initiatives.  

If you believe you align with the strategy outlined above, click here to submit a general inquiry form and to share funding ideas and organizations working to catalyze economic mobility in Silicon Valley. Our team will reach out should there be strategy alignment.