History of the Los Gatos Community Foundation, Inc.
The idea for a Community Foundation originated in 1990 with three women who were on the Los Gatos Parks Commission. The purpose was to form a non-profit organization capable of receiving tax-deductible donations for town improvements. The impetus was the desire to build a bandstand that ultimately featured the Lyndon Carriage House Cupola. The Los Gatos Community Foundation, Inc. was incorporated in July, 1993, and granted non-profit status in May of 1994.
In October of 1993, the Foundation began holding its annual fund raising garden parties at various local estates. The tradition continued until 2003, when the Lyndon Bandstand was completed and dedicated to the Town of Los Gatos. A day-long celebration in Oak Meadow Park commemorated the event with no monies having been drained from the Town coffers.
The Foundation's goals remain the same: to raise monies for Town capital improvements, to fund grants to non-profit organizations, to award scholarships to deserving students and to act as an umbrella organization for other Town and West Valley groups whose purpose is to improve the quality of life in the West Valley area.
