- 45 Years of community tradition
- 1M+ guests every season
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit
- San Jose, CA since 1980
Help Us Turn 45 Years of Holiday Magic Into Something That Never Ends.
We’re building a year-round investment fund that turns a seasonal tradition into permanent jobs, scholarships, and training for San Jose students.
$1 at a time. 1 million people. 1 bold investment in the future.
I came in as a student who'd never used a power tool. Within three months I was building full display structures, learning 3D printing, and managing a small team. This internship changed what I thought was possible for my career.
Maria Gonzalez — 2025 CITP Intern, studying Industrial Design at SJSU
Trusted by partners across San Jose
Why Are We Evolving?
Every gift helps turn a trusted community tradition into a lasting investment in students. This is more than seasonal giving. It is support for internships, scholarships, fellowships, and the infrastructure needed to sustain them.
Our Transformation: 35 Days to 365 Days
For decades, Christmas in the Park has brought people together through a beloved seasonal tradition. Now, we are building on that trust to create something that lasts all year.
Lighting the Future is our next chapter. It turns seasonal impact into a year-round investment in students by connecting hands-on learning, education support, and early-career opportunity in one long-term program.
What your support helps build
Lighting the Future
As part of the campaign’s $10 million goal, community giving will help fund $1,000,000 across four core areas that make this year-round pipeline possible.
Every dollar helps fund either direct student opportunity or the infrastructure needed to sustain it year-round.
Workforce
$350,000 • 35%
Intern Salaries: $250,000
Program Management: $100,000
Education
$250,000 • 25%
SJSU Scholarships: $100,000
Endowment Fund: $150,000
Infrastructure
$250,000 • 25%
Operations & Equipment: $250,000
Reserve
$150,000 • 15%
Strategic Reserve: $100,000
Marketing & Outreach: $50,000
Your gift at work
See Exactly What Your Donation Builds
$25
One day of tools and materials for an intern’s hands-on project
$50
One week of a student intern’s paid work experience
$100
One month of mentorship and skills training for a student
$500
A full semester of scholarship support for one SJSU student
The Impact
Paid Internships. Scholarships. Fellowships. One Community Vision.
A year-round pathway designed to help students build skills, continue their education, and launch careers close to home.
1
Internship
Paid internships averaging 8 to 16 hours per week, with hands-on experience in woodworking, 3D printing, AI, fabrication, and business operations.
2
Scholarship
Five $20,000 scholarships awarded annually to San José State University students coming through the internship pipeline, with $5,000 per year for four years.
3
Fellowship
A two-year post-college fellowship designed to help emerging talent stay, grow, and contribute in the community after graduation.
Help Make This Impact Possible Year Round
Every gift helps turn a trusted community tradition into a lasting investment in students. This is more than seasonal giving. It is support for internships, scholarships, fellowships, and the infrastructure needed to sustain them.
Recurring Giving: Sustain the Momentum
Make this an annual gift and help support students year after year with one simple click.
Additional information about the donation
Secure Transactions:
All donations are securely processed through the Givebutter platform.
Instant Tax Benefits:
Christmas in the Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and tax receipts are automatically issued by email.
Local Legitimacy:
Christmas in the Park has served as a trusted part of community life for decades.
One community.
One future.
One lasting impact.
Join the people helping build a year-round pathway for students, from paid internships to scholarships to post-college opportunity.
people like you have already given
A gift of any size helps move this work forward.