History of the Los Gatos Community Foundation, Inc.
The idea for a Community Foundation originated in 1990 with three women who were on the Los Gatos Parks Commission. The purpose was to form a non-profit organization capable of receiving tax-deductible donations for town improvements. The impetus was the desire to build a bandstand. As the plans were being made, the historical Lyndon Carriage House Cupola was discovered in a storage yard at the San Jose Historical Museum. With the agreement of the City of San Jose and the Town of Los Gatos, the completion of the bandstand was the placing of the cupola on the top of what is now known as the Lyndon Bandstand. The Los Gatos Community Foundation, Inc was incorporated in July, 1993, and granted non-profit status in May of 1994.
In October of 1993, the Foundation began holding its annual fund raising garden parties at various local estates. The tradition continued until 2003, when the Lyndon Bandstand was completed and dedicated to the Town of Los Gatos. A day-long celebration in Oak Meadow Park commemorated the event.
