A new nonprofit backing Palo Alto firefighters launched this week with more than $100,000 in seed money, anchored by a $50,000 grant from Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, Palo Alto Online reported Thursday, Sept. 3.

The Palo Alto Fire Foundation, co-founded by retired bank executive Roger Smith and startup investor Scott Saslow, plans to fund safety education, preventive technology and firefighter well-being programs that fall outside the city budget. Smith, who also serves on the city's Parks and Recreation Commission, said the group already has more than $100,000 in hand and is seeking additional donations.

"One of the things that I think is needed is to make the community and the department closer," Smith told Palo Alto Online. He said the foundation plans to host community events to build that connection.

Smith has a track record of founding local nonprofits. He previously started the Palo Alto Police Foundation, the Foundation for East Palo Alto Police and Friends of the Palo Alto Parks. Saslow, CEO of ONE WORLD Investments, also contributed personal funds to get the foundation off the ground. He cited the Altadena fires in Los Angeles as a motivating force.

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the couple's philanthropic arm, provided the lead $50,000 grant. CZI also gave $50,000 to Friends of Palo Alto Parks in December 2025. Molly Moesel, a CZI program officer, said in a statement that the initiative backs local institutions that strengthen community resilience.

Zack Ackemann, a Felton native who started his career in fire service and later led the Incidents of Mass Violence Response Group, is serving as executive director.

The foundation will focus on three areas, according to Palo Alto Online and the foundation's website: community safety education, including CPR courses; access to preventive technologies such as smoke alarms and automatic emergency defibrillators; and firefighter well-being, including cancer screenings and mental health resources. The group also hopes to purchase thermal cameras and wildfire gear for the department.

The launch comes during a period of change for the Palo Alto Fire Department (PAFD). The department is implementing a new staffing model that uses civilians to provide medical service, a role historically filled by firefighters. It is also rebuilding Fire Station 4 near Mitchell Park, where a groundbreaking took place Jan. 8. Residents had pushed for better coverage in that area after the city removed the station's fire engine for roughly four years before restoring it.

Fire Chief Steve Lindsey called the foundation an independent partner that can support prevention, preparedness and community engagement for the department.

The foundation's first public event is a community CPR class on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Mitchell Park Community Center, following the Palo Alto YMCA's Community Health Fair. Registration details are at paloaltofirefoundation.org.