The Christopher K. Jarvi HELPING HANDS grant program focuses on strengthening youth, residents and community through supporting community-based organizations. Named after the founding Executive Director of the Anaheim Community Foundation, the Helping Hands grant honors the memory of Chris Jarvi, who passed away April 22, 2013. He was a strong advocate for youth and the Anaheim Community. If you’d like to support Helping Hands, we invite you to make a donation online.

2023 Helping Hands Grant Application


Helping Hands Grants & Year-Round Support

ACF believes in supporting our community. From youth enrichment scholarships to grant programs, we are dedicated to giving a helping hand to enrich the lives of Anaheim residents.

Helping Hands Grant applications are accepted in the Fall annually, followed by a funding announcement in December. Gifts are typically $250-$2,500. Emergency Helping Hands Grants are available year-round to support organizations facing a one-time challenge. You can submit an Emergency Grant application HERE!


Helping Hands 2023 Grant Recipients

The ACF awarded over $66,000 to the following 38 non-profit organizations to provide programs and services that improve the lives of Anaheim residents.

Name of OrganizationProgram
Ability Together, Inc.Communication Equity in Healthcare – Hearing Loss Training
Abrazar, Inc.Sparkpoint OC is a financial empowerment program that provides free one-on-one financial coaching and case management to families in Orange County.
Access California ServicesLeaders of Tomorrow Youth Program- This program supports primarily immigrant and refugee youth by providing youth with the opportunity to identify and prioritize goals that will support their integration as they acclimate to a new culture.
American Career College Educational FoundationHSE Academy model was designed to eliminate persistent barriers to HSE certificate attainment through financial support, flexible class offerings, individualized attention, and holistic programming.
Anaheim BalletSTEP-UP!, Anaheim Ballet’s no-cost community outreach program for underserved Anaheim youth ages 8-20 years old provides daily classes in classical ballet.
Anaheim Fall FestivalAnaheim Fall Festival & Halloween parade
Anaheim Family YMCAWater safety education and learning how to swim is important because it can reduce the risk of drowning.
Anaheim Flag Day CelebrationAnaheim Flag Day Community event
Anaheim Public Library FoundationChess for Change is a program that will benefit at-risk youth by achieving academic improvement, educational opportunities, youth engagement, community building, character development, cultural exchange, and positive recreation.
AUHSD – Savanna High SchoolSavanna Community School Garden
Chance TheaterCHANCE THEATER will offer one six-week workshop for veterans (Veterans Speak Up) using theater as a means for rehabilitation by sharing their experiences with the public, providing a better understanding of the life of a veteran–its challenges as well as its points of pride.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange CountyCASA of Orange County’s Mentor-Advocate Program
Dreams for SchoolsCoding Classes for Anaheim Students in Libraries
FentanylSolution.orgAnaheim Aware Against Fentanyl (AAAF)
FristersKidsters is our child development and school readiness program for children, ages 3 months to 5 years.
Girls Inc. of Orange CountyStrongHer Together provides Anaheim teen girls with educational and health and wellness programming.
Growth Opportunities Through Athletics, Learning, and Service-GOALSGOALS for ABC: In 2018, GOALS launched a multi-year community improvement project in West Anaheim called GOALS- A Better Community or “ABC.”
Higher Ground Youth & Family ServicesThriving Families Program
JMh-Anaheim Foundation IncLove Our Seniors Care Bags
Junior Achievement of Orange County and Inland EmpireJA of Orange County will provide JA’s interactive classroom programs to one Anaheim classroom, reflecting one or more of our three learning pathways Financial Literacy, Work Readiness, and Entrepreneurship.
Lamb of God Lutheran ChurchTabitha’s Room gives out 2 sack lunches, water, new underwear, socks hygiene products, blankets, sleeping bags, (when we have them), shoes, jackets, pants, shirts, hats and towels.
Lestonnac Free ClinicLestonnac’s Eye Care, We Care program provides optometry/ophthalmology services for impoverished Anaheim individuals and families.
Magnolia School DistrictMagnolia School District support for student needs and addressing gaps, including clothing, diapers, shoes, and other living essentials.
Orange County Adult Achievement Center dba My Day CountsEquitable Access to Higher Education and Employment Options for Adults with Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities.
Orange County Community Housing CorpOCCHC’s SteppingUP Program, which is committed to preserving affordable housing and providing equitable educational services to help our clients overcome barriers, regain economic stability and move up in social mobility.
Orange County Human Relations Council DBA GroundswellYouth and Education program strives to create cross-cultural understanding.
Pathways of HopeOur Anaheim-based Via Esperanza (VE) emergency shelter annually serves 20-25 families (approximately 100 individuals) who are currently experiencing homelessness in OC.
Pearson Park AmphitheatrePearson Park Amphitheatre’s Summer Nights Under the Stars Family Series
Project Access, IncProject Access’s Education for Youth & Families Program helps level the playing field for low-income students by making high-quality academic support and enrichment activities accessible without traditional transportation or cost barriers.
Radiant Futures (formerly known as Women’s Transitional Living Center, Inc.)Supportive Services which include counseling, legal advocacy, support groups, housing assistance, and connections to resources and referrals to help our clients prepare for independent living.
Reaching Youth Through Music OpportunitiesReaching Youth Through Music Opportunities – A year-round after-school program that teaches teens, mostly from troubled environments, to achieve a career in the music industry.
Rio Vista Elementary PTAEquipment for outdoor physical education activities.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange CountyFunding for 4 Permanent School Pantries in Anaheim.
Sight & SketchesSight & Sketches provides at-risk underserved youths of Anaheim with an art course series.
The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Anaheim-CypressWorkforce Development-provides comprehensive workforce development programming.
Together We RiseFoster Love will identify and serve transition-age, systems-impacted youth who are at imminent risk of dropping out of college due to the threat of homelessness, food insecurity, or displacement.
Uniforms For HopeAnaheim School District Uniform Project
West Anaheim OrganizationTree Lighting at Twila Reid Park