In 1994, the San Jose Sharks established the official charity arm of the team, the Sharks Foundation. Each year the Foundation partners with individuals, corporations and funding partners in the community, who support its efforts to improve the lives of youth and families in the Bay Area. Funds received are allocated to the Foundation’s annual grant process and numerous programs. During the 2015-16 season, the Sharks Foundation donated a franchise-record $1.5 million in funding to support the Bay Area. Since its inception in 1994, the Foundation has given nearly $18.2 million to hundreds of high-performing non-profit organizations serving youth and families in need.