Two California foundations, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation in Los Altos and the Skoll Foundation in Palo Alto, have announced grants totaling $1.5 million and $300,000, respectively, to aid tsunami relief efforts.

The Packard grants will be distributed to several agencies working on the ground in areas devastated by the tsunami. "Our foundation works in countries that have been devastated by this disaster, including India and Indonesia, so contributing to this relief effort is a priority for us," said Packard Foundation president and CEO Carol S. Larson. "Our hope is that this contribution to the ongoing relief effort will help to reduce the human suffering of this tragedy."

The Skoll Foundation announced grants of $25,000 to twelve of its grantees either working in areas impacted by the recent tsunami or providing infrastructure to support organizations responding to tsunami-related needs. Initiated by the foundation's chair and founder, Jeff Skoll, the grants were awarded to the Acumen Fund, the American India Foundation, and Trickle Up, all based in New York City; Arlington, Virginia-based Ashoka; the Global Fund for Children and the Grameen Foundation USA, both based in Washington, D.C.; the Global Greengrants Fund in Boulder, Colorado; the GlobalGiving Foundation in Bethesda, Maryland; Groundspring.org and Room to Read, both based in San Francisco; Philanthropic Research, Inc. (also known as GuideStar), in Williamsburg, Virginia; and Los Angeles-based Relief International.

"The social entrepreneurs leading these organizations are doing exceptional work," said Skoll Foundation CEO Sally Osberg. "They are solving deeply rooted problems by transforming social systems and creating opportunities for those who otherwise would be locked into lives without hope. We know they will use this additional support where help is needed most."