Supporting the
Walnut Creek community and the community's youth since 1992
Grants and Awards
2025 GRANT AWARDS ANNOUNCED
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The Walnut Creek Civic Pride Foundation has announced the award of 16 grants totaling $30,000 to local non-profit organizations that help to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Walnut Creek.
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​The Community Grants program continues the Foundation's commitment to Walnut Creek. Since its founding in 1992, the Foundation has successfully raised and disbursed grants and awards totaling nearly $700,000 to community organizations and programs. This work has included raising funds to help build the All Abilities Playground at Heather Farm Park, the Splash Playground at Larkey Pool, and the Walnut Creek Skate Park.
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How to Become a Community Grant Sponsor or Donor: The Foundation invites the business community and philanthropic community members to become a member of the Civic Pride Sponsor Circle or to make an individual donation. If you would like to contribute to the Community Grant program, you may make a tax-deductible donation by credit card through this website or by sending a check, payable to WCCPF, to P.O. Box 31156, Walnut Creek 94598.
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2025 Grant Recipients
Supporting Independent Filmmakers
With participation from all parts of the world, Mountain Shadow Film Society will host its 12th Annual Short Film Competition for independent filmmakers.
Clothing for Learning Readiness
By providing new school clothing for low-income and homeless youth, Diablo Valley Assistance League enhances student self-esteem and enable readiness to learn (Operation School Bell-Common Threads).
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Learning about Walnut Creek’s Roots
The Walnut Creek Historical Society Living History Program gives local third-graders a hands-on understanding of 19th-century life that includes how early settlers grew their own food.
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Artistic Opportunities for Under-served Adults
A series of visual and ceramics arts lessons will help to uplift under-served seniors and low-income adults. (Community Arts Center and Community Arts Foundation)
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Making Melodies Downtown
This coming summer, all ages will enjoy a free "Opera in Civic Park" performance by Festival Opera.
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From April through October, community members can "make their own kind of music" on the Painted Pianos, presented by Walnut Creek Downtown.
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California Symphony will bring professional and amateur musicians together for a free Community Pop-up Performance that includes an Instrument Petting Zoo.
Health Education for Improved Outcomes
Supporting cancer patients and their families, Cancer Support Community offers
evidence-based workshops to improve quality of life and health outcomes.
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Soccer for Children with Special Needs
The TopSoccer program of Walnut Creek Surf Soccer gives the experience of group sports to children with special needs.
Pathways to Leadership
Trinity Center – which provides a doorway to opportunity for unhoused adults – is expanding its programs to include peer leadership development.
Hands-on Horticulture Education
Ruth Bancroft Garden is expanding its hands-on environmental and horticultural educational workshops to reach a broader range of ages and community groups.
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Pollinator Paradise
The outdoor pollinator exhibit at Lindsay Wildlife Experience provides public education on the importance of native bees.
Orchestral Outreach to Schools
Through interactive concerts and instrumental demonstrations, the all-volunteer Diablo Symphony Orchestra supplements music education for local schools.
Youth Wellness and Support
Through the Walnut Creek Education Foundation, nearly 1,600 high schoolers and their families have access to critical mental health, wellness, and prevention services at the Las Lomas Wellness Center.
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Thanks to PFLAG, MDUSD teens have four community-building events.
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At Foothill Middle School, students have more access to needed counseling services through the
Foothill Parent Faculty Association.
Grant Recipients since 1992
Since 1992, the Foundation has successfully raised and disbursed nearly $700,000 to Walnut Creek organizations and programs.
Grant recipients have included:
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Assistance League of Diablo Valley, Operation School Bell
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Buena Vista Elementary School (Lemos Juntos)
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California Symphony (music in the schools program)
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Center for Human Development: PEP
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Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
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The Creek: Middle School Youth Center
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Diabetic Youth Foundation
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Diablo Ballet (school program)
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Diablo Symphony Orchestra
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Family Stress Center
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Foothill Middle School, Homework Club
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Gardens at Heather Farm (youth education programs)
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Lindsay Wildlife Museum (youth education programs)
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Northgate High School Parent Action Team (crisis counselors)
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Walnut Creek Aquanuts
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Walnut Creek Education Foundation
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Walnut Creek Little League, Challenger Division
Walnut Creek Skate Park
Through the leadership of Foundation Director June Kirske, the Foundation raised $30,000 in private funds for the building of Walnut Creek's Skate Park at
Heather Farm Park. The Skate Park opened in 2006.
College Scholarship Program
In past years, the Foundation also helped to make it financially feasible for Walnut Creek students to attend college, awarding more than $25,000 in scholarships to exemplary high school seniors.
Pictured are the 2006 Scholarship Recipients (left to right): Katherine Soe
Tania Chen
Hannah Poursartip
Tym Blanchard