The Alcario and Carmen Castellano Family Collections consists of physical and digital videos, photographs, and papers that document the Castellano Family Foundation as well as the Mexican-American community around the Bay Area. These Collections are held by San José State University and the San José Public Library at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in San José, California.
The Castellano Family Foundation (CFF) was a San José based non-profit organization founded by Alcario and Carmen Castellano in 2002. In 2001, Al Castellano won the California Lottery’s biggest prize money at the time, and at Carmen’s urging, subsequently dedicated a large portion of the winnings to establish the CFF. Prior to winning the lottery, Al and Carmen were active volunteers, community advocates, and donors to projects and organizations dedicated to the Latinx community of Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area. The lottery win ensured that the Castellano family could engage in greater philanthropic efforts in order to benefit their community. During its 21 years of existence, the CFF provided over $10 million in support to grantees in the areas of art, education, and leadership development, largely focused on Santa Clara County and surrounding areas.
Alcario Castellano Video Collection
The Alcario Castellano Video Collection contains videos recorded by Castellano of events primarily based in San José, California and the surrounding Bay Area during the 1980s and 1990s. The collection presents various socio-cultural facets of San José's Mexican-American community of the time, with videos featuring events sponsored by the San José Chapter of the American G.I. Forum, the Chicana Latina Foundation, Cinco de Mayo parades, presentations by authors and artists, and forums and conventions.
Photograph Collection
A collection of photographs that follow the Castellano family's involvement and philanthropic efforts within the Mexican-American community in San José and the Bay Area. Many of the events highlighted in these photos were sponsored or affiliated with the American GI Forum - San Jose Chapter or the Castellano Family Foundation and range from the 1980s to early 2000s. Events featured in these photographs include parades, award ceremonies, artist/author presentations, conferences, and much more. Also included are notable community figures and organizations.
Castellano Family Foundation Papers
The Castellano Family Foundation Papers consist of materials related to the administrative and fiscal management of the CFF non-profit organization. These include records of grants, donations, and sponsorships as well as promotional and organizational materials about local events. Carmen Castellano's personal papers are interspersed throughout the collection, and can be found in the records of organizations she worked for and with.