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Published on 05/26/1999 All articles from this issue

Los Altos CEOs, foundation helping United Way agencies

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Town Crier Staff Report

Los Altos philanthropists are playing a big role in helping to bail out charities affected by the United Way debacle.

Last week, the board of trustees of the Los Altos-based David and Lucile Packard Foundation announced grant approval of up to $2 million for the United Way of Santa Clara County to help alleviate an $11.7 million shortfall and continue basic human services by member agencies.

In announcing the grant, Richard T. Schlosberg III, president of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation said, "Out of concern for the well-being of the many families and individuals served by the United Way member agencies, the Packard Foundation trustees voted unanimously to provide this grant."

The Packard Foundation grant was in addition to a $1 million pledge to help affected charities from Los Altos resident Steve Kirsch, Infoseek Corp. chairman, who donated through Community Foundation Silicon Valley.

Hewlett Packard Corp. announced it is volunteering management expertise in addition to making a $1 million donation.

"We are making an additional contribution to help resolve the immediate funding shortfall and ensure necessary services to those in the community who are most at risk," said Lewis E. Platt, a Los Altos resident and chairman and chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard.

Contributors are seeking to minimize the disruption of United Way agencies, which had been warned not to expect funding beginning in July 1999. These agencies include homeless shelters, food banks and youth organizations.