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 What do these items have in common: kickboxing lessons, bass guitar lessons, summer camp, cheer leading training, ballet classes, driver training, eyeglasses, bunk beds? They are all items PVF has funded at the request of social workers serving abused children. We do not stand in judgment of whether or not the request is substantial. Rather, we feel if the social worker puts a priority on it, we fund it - usually costing less than $250. Social workers love it, as this funding gives them a resource they haven't had before. Our check goes out in 48 hours.
Our teacher grants program is so successful that PVF has been a model, and a national online grant program has been created. One notable distinction: with the online program the teachers don't know whether or when they will be funded. With PVF a check is sent out in 48 hours.
 Teachers can apply for excursions ($1,000), after school programs ($2,500), science or arts supplies ($500), having an artist visit the classroom, having a doctor visit the classroom, resources for special education children. Teachers call PVF the "fax grant people" because all they need to do is fax a one page request. Teachers follow up with a narrative on what they did with the money, with pictures, notes from the children, receipts.
PVF endeavored to end the frustration felt by juvenile court judges when a small but important item couldn't be funded for the children in dependency. Now, they can verify the need for glasses, dental work, a bike, start a savings account, whatever. One paragraph verification and a check in 48 hours.
So, the question is, can small grants be significant? Can they have impact? Or, do we need big money for big problems? We think, there is a significance to small grants if the grants are focused on critical intervention opportunities. Such is the case with grassroots public servants; judges, social workers, teachers. We will argue that there is a collective value to small grants, grants that empower public servants to do things they couldn't ordinarily do, grants that reach down to overlooked populations, grants that democratize the giving process in that everyone is involved equally.
Yes, small grants are important and we can make these grants because donors like you make it possible. Thank you.
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I was asked to meet with a group of high school age students who are all in a special program because of their truancy in school. We met at the "Truancy Center" for the Oakland 
