 Skoll |
Los Altos Hills resident Jeff Skoll gave some financial cause for celebration at last Friday’s 50th anniversary luncheon for Community Foundation Silicon Valley when he announced his foundation’s $5 million matching grant.
Skoll, the first full-time employee and president of eBay, has been a strong contributor to Community Foundation Silicon Valley as a board member and through his own Skoll Foundation. The foundation has already raised $3 million of the $5 million needed to match Skoll’s donation.
“At the Skoll Foundation, we invest in individuals and organizations that have the capacity to transform society in lasting ways, right here in Silicon Valley and around the world,” Skoll said in a statement. “With our challenge grant, we are not only saying ‘thank you’ to Community Foundation Silicon Valley for helping us get started, we are also inviting others to join us in creating a fund for the future that will keep Silicon Valley at the forefront of social and technical innovation.”
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates discussed commitment to philanthropy. Gates helped bail out the United Way Silicon Valley from a $10 million financial hole in the late 1990s. After Los Altos Hills resident and high-tech entrepreneur Steve Kirsch e-mailed Gates about the predicament, Gates responded with aid. Kirsch also is active in Community Foundation Silicon Valley.
Cupal, Volpi awarded
“Toni and Mike are truly a husband-and-wife ‘philanthropy machine,’” said Gisela B. Bushey, Child Advocates’ executive director.
The couple secured a gift of $500,000 to seed Child Advocates’ endowment fund and also drove the funding support behind this year’s gala that raised $335,000. In addition, Cupal serves as Child Advocates’ board vice president. The couple are also active participants in the Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund, Second Harvest Food Bank, Peninsula Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together and Solar Energy Light Fund.
Nominations were submitted to a panel of senior fund-raising and business professionals and community volunteers who scrutinized the applications for those most deserving of the award.
The award winners will be honored at the 17th Annual Philanthropy Day Awards Celebration Luncheon Nov. 19, at the Fairmont San Jose.
Tickets for the luncheon are $70 per person or $700 for a table of 10. For reservations, contact 344-4011 or scvadmin@rcn.com.
