801 Alma Street Family Housing

Capital Campaign

The development budget for 801 Alma Street is $28.5 million. Targeted major sources of funds include the City of Palo Alto, federal and state tax credits, Santa Clara County, the State of California, the Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program, and the Community Working Group.

While we have cleared major hurdles in our effort to obtain the needed financing for this worthy project, there remains a funding gap of $3.5 million that must be closed before the start of construction.

There are two ways to close this gap. One option is to secure a larger private mortgage. However, servicing a larger mortgage would result in higher rents than targeted, which would defeat the goal of providing homes for the lower-income working families that 801 Alma Street is intended to serve.

We prefer another option for closing the funding gap – raising the money through private donations. That is why the Community Working Group is undertaking a campaign to obtain the needed funds from individuals and foundations. We are confident that our community has the financial resources to close that $3.5 million gap.

Under the auspices of the Community Working Group, a committee of local residents, chaired by Bruce Heister, is conducting the capital campaign. You can learn more about the capital campaign in our 801 Alma Family Housing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's).

Foundations are being approached as part of our fundraising efforts, but experience shows that strong evidence of community support is a powerful influence on foundation decisions to support campaigns like this.

The building's working designation is 801 Alma Street, but the building may be named after a major donor or another prominent individual. There are many opportunities to place your name on various rooms or other spaces within and outside the building. Please notify a committee member if you are interested in naming opportunities. All major donors will be recognized on a plaque in the building lobby unless a donor requests to remain anonymous.

Information about making a donation
Your donations are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law. The Community Working Group, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) public charitable organization. Make a donation on-line by credit card or by automatic bank withdrawal.

Donations made by check may be made payable to: Community Working Group, Inc., and sent to: 2507-A Alma Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301. Please indicate on the memo line on your check that your donation is for the 801 Alma Street capital campaign. For information about making a stock transfer via stock certificate or electronic transfer to our brokerage account, please email us at cwg@communityworkinggroup.org or call us at 650-299-8700.

Our Federal Tax ID number is: 77-0446309. Financial information, including Form 990, are available from

Capital Campaign || Naming Opportunities | Capital Campaign Committee | Development Budget | Investments in Family Housing