Passport Equity Fund Helps Local Youth and Families Access U.S. Passports

The Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation (LAMVCF), in partnership with Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga, has launched the Passport Equity Fund to ensure that people in our community can obtain a U.S. passport regardless of family income or immigration status.

The Passport Equity Fund helps cover passport application and renewal fees and supports monthly passport workshops hosted with nonprofit partners. These workshops guide families through the application process and remove financial and logistical barriers that often prevent residents from obtaining a passport.

The program prioritizes youth and families who might otherwise be unable to afford passport application fees or navigate the process on their own.

“Access to a passport can be the first step in opening the world and strengthening a young person’s sense of belonging and citizenship,” said Eileen Eng, LAMVCF Board Chair. “At a time when many immigrant and mixed-status families feel uncertainty or fear about interacting with institutions, the Passport Equity Fund is designed to provide a welcoming, trusted, and supportive pathway for families to access a basic document many take for granted.”

Community partners will host workshops where families can receive guidance in a safe and supportive environment. For many families, application fees and the complexity of the process can make obtaining a passport difficult.

“This is one way we can remove a barrier that can hold people back,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga. “The Passport Equity Fund is a tangible way to expand opportunity while helping families feel supported, safe, and connected to their community.”

Community members interested in supporting the initiative or learning more can visit the Passport Equity Fund donation website.