Hewlett foundation gives, and gives some more Hewlett foundation gives, and gives some more (December 31, 2003)

By David Boyce
Almanac Staff Writer

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, based in Menlo Park, said it is giving $24.4 million in new grants during the fourth quarter of 2003 to California-based organizations.

The money is earmarked for organizations working in areas that include education reform, a cleaner environment, and the performing arts. The grants will cap a year in which the foundation will have given $56.3 million in California and $254.3 million nationwide, according to a foundation statement.

"Times are extremely difficult for some very worthy organizations," said foundation president Paul Brest.

Schools

Among the gifts is a $6 million grant to the San Diego public school system for the Blueprint for Reform program intended to raise academic performance in low-income schools. Other foundations are also participating in this program.

The project is an experiment using "best practice" ideas developed in a low-income school district in New York City to see if they can improve students' performance elsewhere, said foundation education director Mike Smith.

The Hewlett foundation also gave $250,000 in collaboration with a matching grant from the Gates Foundation to fund a commission to study the financing of K-16 education in California. Former Gov. Gray Davis approved the 14-member Quality Education Commission but not its funding; Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appears to support the idea, so it may begin early next year, Mr. Smith said.

Environment, arts

Another $2 million is destined for the Energy Foundation, based in San Francisco, to fund energy conservation policy research in China. Hewlett foundation money helped study pollution generated by Chinese refineries and recently supported the analysis behind a new set of fuel efficiency standards there. The analysis will save "billions of barrels of fuel," said environmental programs director Hal Harvey.

Performing arts programs in the nine counties of the Bay Area will receive $3 million in capital grants from the Hewlett foundation and $2.16 million for operating expenses. Low-interest loans are also available.

The foundation recently granted the 35-year-old Community School of Music and Art in Mountain View $1.5 million to complete a new 22,000-square-foot arts complex, the school's first permanent home.

The existence of the new center sends a message, said Hewlett's performing arts director Moy Eng: "Arts education is really important to the people in our community."

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