The mission of the Bernard E. & Alba Witkin Charitable Foundation is to support effective non-profit organizations that assist children in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, in the San Francisco East Bay Area. The Foundation supports a wide range of quality programs that develop children into stronger adults. Programs that focus on children in their formative years (birth through age five) are especially favored. In addition, the Foundation supports quality programs in the East Bay that support transition age foster youth (ages 18 to 24) to be successful, independent adults as they prepare to age out of the foster care system. To a lesser extent, the Foundation funds programs that provide quality literacy, music, art, and dance programs in East Bay public elementary and middle schools. It also supports select programs that promote peace, non-violence, and access to legal services. The Bernard E. & Alba Witkin Charitable Foundation is classified as a private foundation under Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3).