Our History
For decades, our organization has been bringing holiday cheer to thousands of Palo Alto community members facing financial challenges.
Beginning in 1955, school nurses and staff noticed some children in the Palo Alto Unified School District didn’t receive holiday gifts. They began quietly collecting toys, gifts, and foods to distribute to families during the holidays. In time, this gift-giving effort became what was known as the Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto. In the ensuing years, we moved to mailing gift checks to allow families the flexibility of deciding for themselves how to use the funds. More recently, the program has expanded beyond families to include seniors and the unhoused.
Every year, in the fall, we hold a fundraising drive starting in October and then receive referrals from our social service and public agency partners. In early December the board gathers to write and mail checks to over 3400 of our neighbors. The all-volunteer board of directors, grants from local foundations, and individual donors make it possible for nearly all of the funds collected to be channeled directly to individuals and families.
Over the years we have received heartwarming thank you notes sharing how the funds were used: “I was able to buy gifts for my children after receiving your surprise gift!” or “Your check came just in time to buy a warm coat.”
In 2025, the Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto chose a new name: Green Envelope Fund. We believe this new name better reflects our non-sectarian gift-giving mission of sending checks to our neighbors in need at the end of the year, always in our bright green envelopes.
Watch a presentation and slide show about the history of Green Envelope Fund (formerly Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto) from the Palo Alto Historical Association.
Help us spread joy to families during the holiday season!
We collect donations all year round and channel those resources through our partners to give to families in need during the end-of-year holiday season.