April 10, 2019 (Los Altos, CA) – Today, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Caring for Colorado Foundation announced the creation of the Sperry S. and Ella Graber Packard Fund for Pueblo, an endowment established with a $20 million, one-time grant to Caring for Colorado’s Centennial Fund. Caring for Colorado has managed local grantmaking for the Packard Foundation in Pueblo since 2016, and will direct the endowment, with a vision of supporting the people, organizations, and aspirations of Pueblo for decades to come.
“After more than four decades of managing grantmaking in Pueblo, we are transitioning our support fully and directly to Coloradoans,” said Packard Foundation President and CEO Carol Larson. “We could not be more humbled by the dedication of leaders and organizations in Pueblo to make their community stronger for all people. We are excited for all that is to come for this community that has such deep ties to the Packard family and Foundation.”
“Three years ago, the Packard Foundation and Caring for Colorado entered into a unique partnership to support and strengthen the Packard Foundation’s grantmaking in Pueblo. The result is an incredible new asset and opportunity for Pueblo,” said Caring for Colorado President and CEO, Chris Wiant. “We are grateful to the Packard Foundation for their vision in developing this lasting resource to support community-identified needs and opportunities in Pueblo. We are honored to steward these funds and build upon the amazing legacy of the Packard Foundation’s work in Pueblo.”
David Packard was born in Pueblo in 1912 and spoke often about how Puebloans’ support for one another fueled his desire to give back to his home community. Since 1972, the Foundation has provided annual funding for Pueblo leaders and organizations on a variety of issues ranging from basic services such as food security and health, to areas including youth development, the environment, and the arts. For more information on the relationship between the Packard Foundation and Pueblo, read a letter from David Orr, Packard Foundation Board Chair and grandson of David and Lucile Packard, to the Pueblo community in the Pueblo Chieftain here.
Beginning in 2020, Caring for Colorado will fully manage the grantmaking process and award funding directly from The Sperry S. and Ella Graber Packard Fund for Pueblo, named in honor of David Packard’s parents. Caring for Colorado has been hosting community forums throughout the state, including in Pueblo, to ensure that its overall work is guided by input from Coloradans.
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About the David and Lucile Packard Foundation
David and Lucile Packard Foundation is a private family foundation created in 1964 by David Packard (1912–1996), cofounder of the Hewlett-Packard Company, and Lucile Salter Packard (1914–1987). The Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the following program areas: Conservation and Science; Population and Reproductive Health; Children, Families, and Communities; and Local Grantmaking. The Packard Foundation’s Local Grantmaking Program builds on the longstanding commitment made by David and Lucile Packard to invest in the region where they started their company and raised their family. Dedicated to achieving deep and meaningful impact in local communities, the Local Grantmaking program makes investments in the five contiguous counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey. Foundation grantmaking includes support for a wide variety of activities including direct services, research and policy development, and public information and education. Learn more at www.packard.org.
About Caring for Colorado
Caring for Colorado is a grantmaking foundation dedicated to improving the health and health care of the people of Colorado. Together with our partners, we are working to build healthy and just communities to improve the health and well-being of the people of Colorado. Learn more at www.caringforcolorado.org.
