Embarcadero Media Foundation is a nonprofit local news publisher that operates community newspapers and digital news sites such as Palo Alto Weekly and Palo Alto Online, funded by memberships, subscriptions and philanthropy.
Embarcadero Media Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit local news organization based in Palo Alto, California. It publishes community newspapers and digital news sites including Palo Alto Weekly, Palo Alto Online, Mountain View Voice, The Almanac, Pleasanton Weekly, Redwood City Pulse, Livermore Vine, DanvilleSanRamon, and lifestyle newsletters like Peninsula Foodist and The Six Fifty. The foundation’s mission is to provide high-quality, independent local journalism, host civic forums and events, support investigative reporting, and fund community programs and grants across the Midpeninsula and Tri‑Valley regions. ([embarcaderomediafoundation.org](https://www.embarcaderomediafoundation.org/our-mission/?utm_source=openai))
A charge from Embarcadero Media Foundation (or one of its titles, such as “Palo Alto Online Membership” or “Mountain View Voice Membership”) typically relates to a reader membership or donation used to support its local journalism. Common recurring amounts are around $15 or $25 per month, or annual memberships of about $144 or $300 per year, depending on the tier and whether you chose monthly or yearly billing. You might also see one‑time donation charges (including Holiday Fund or other special campaigns), or renewed yearly contributions if you previously selected an automatically renewing membership. ([paloaltoonline.com](https://www.paloaltoonline.com/become-a-member/?utm_source=openai))
To verify or resolve a charge, first log into the site you use most (such as Palo Alto Online, Mountain View Voice, Pleasanton Weekly, or another sister site), go to your account or Member Center, and check the “My Subscription” or membership section for your current plan, billing date, and amount. You can view or change your membership, cancel future renewals, or update your card from your Member Center; if you still have questions, use the membership contact form on the site or email their general team at info@embarcaderomedia.org or call (650) 326‑8210. For donation‑specific issues (including Holiday Fund gifts or larger philanthropic contributions), you can also reach the foundation through the contact page at embarcaderomediafoundation.org or the email addresses listed there; have your bank statement, any confirmation emails, and approximate date and amount of the charge ready to speed up resolution. ([paloaltoonline.com](https://www.paloaltoonline.com/membership-faqs/?utm_source=openai))
Bank Statement Variations
1 known variations
These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Embarcadero Media Foundation.
What are the typical membership amounts that might be charged by Embarcadero Media Foundation?
Most recurring membership charges are set at standard tiers, such as about $15 or $25 per month, or annual options around $144 or $300 per year, depending on the level you selected (basic vs. premium and monthly vs. yearly). If you joined during a special campaign, you may see a different introductory rate (for example, promotional offers around $9.99/month have been used in the past). Check your Member Center or the “Become a Member” page on your local site (e.g., Palo Alto Online or Mountain View Voice) to confirm the exact plan and price tied to your account. ([paloaltoonline.com](https://www.paloaltoonline.com/become-a-member/?utm_source=openai))
Why do I see a recurring monthly or annual charge from Embarcadero Media Foundation or one of its news sites?
A repeating charge usually indicates you signed up for a membership that auto‑renews each month or once per year to support local journalism and maintain unlimited digital access. When you enroll, your card is billed immediately and then on the same calendar day of each billing cycle until you cancel through your Member Center. If you have access to member‑only stories or newsletters like Local Scoop, that’s another sign the charge is tied to your active membership. ([paloaltoonline.com](https://www.paloaltoonline.com/become-a-member/?utm_source=openai))
How can I cancel or pause my Embarcadero Media Foundation membership so future charges stop?
To cancel, log into any of their sites (such as Palo Alto Online, Mountain View Voice, The Almanac, Pleasanton Weekly or other sister sites) and open your Member Center or account page. From there, go to the subscription or membership section and choose the option to cancel your monthly or annual plan; this stops future automatic renewals while keeping access active until the end of the current paid period. If you encounter issues accessing your account, use the membership contact form on the site or email info@embarcaderomedia.org and include the email address tied to your membership. ([paloaltoonline.com](https://www.paloaltoonline.com/membership-faqs/?utm_source=openai))
How do I request a refund or dispute a charge from Embarcadero Media Foundation?
If you believe you were charged in error—such as a duplicate transaction, an unrecognized renewal, or a membership you meant to cancel—contact them directly with details of the charge. Start by using the membership/contact form on the site you read most (for example, Palo Alto Online’s or Mountain View Voice’s membership FAQs page) or email info@embarcaderomedia.org, attaching a screenshot of the bank statement, the date, amount, and last four digits of the card used. They handle memberships and donations individually, so they can review your account, explain the charge, and, where appropriate, issue an adjustment or refund. ([paloaltoonline.com](https://www.paloaltoonline.com/membership-faqs/?utm_source=openai))
Could this be a one‑time donation or Holiday Fund contribution instead of a subscription?
Yes. In addition to memberships, Embarcadero Media Foundation processes one‑time and recurring donations, including special campaigns like the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund and other local giving drives. These gifts may be tax‑deductible and can appear on your statement under the foundation’s name or the name of the participating publication. Check your email for “donation” or “Holiday Fund” receipts from Embarcadero Media Foundation or your local paper, or contact them with the transaction details if you’re unsure whether your charge was a gift or a membership. ([embarcaderomediafoundation.org](https://www.embarcaderomediafoundation.org/donate/?utm_source=openai))
Does Embarcadero Media Foundation store my credit card information, and why might I see a small temporary charge?
Embarcadero Media Foundation uses a third‑party, PCI‑compliant payment processor (Braintree) to securely handle card data for recurring memberships; the foundation itself does not store your full card number. When you sign up or update a card, your bank or the processor may place a small temporary authorization on your account to verify the payment method—these test holds typically disappear after a few business days and are not collected by the foundation. If you see a small pending amount you don’t recognize, wait for it to clear, then contact your bank or the foundation if it posts as a final charge. ([paloaltoonline.com](https://www.paloaltoonline.com/membership-faqs/?utm_source=openai))
How can I confirm which account or publication a specific charge is linked to?
Log into each Embarcadero‑affiliated site you use (such as Palo Alto Online, Mountain View Voice, The Almanac, Pleasanton Weekly, Redwood City Pulse, DanvilleSanRamon, Livermore Vine, or The Six Fifty) with your usual email address. In your account or Member Center, look for a “My Subscription” or membership area that lists your active plan, billing frequency, and next charge date; membership to one site gives you access across all of them, so you may only see one active membership even if you visit multiple publications. If you can’t locate an active plan but still see charges, contact support with the name on the card, the billing email you might have used, and the transaction details so they can search their system. ([paloaltoonline.com](https://www.paloaltoonline.com/membership-faqs/?utm_source=openai))
How do I contact Embarcadero Media Foundation about a billing or membership issue?
For most billing or membership questions, start with the membership FAQ/contact form on the website you read most (e.g., Palo Alto Online or Mountain View Voice), which routes your inquiry to the circulation/membership team. You can also reach the foundation via the contact information on embarcaderomediafoundation.org, including their main office at 2345 Yale St, Floor 1, Palo Alto, CA 94306, phone (650) 326‑8210, and the general email info@embarcaderomedia.org. Major donors and sponsorship inquiries have dedicated contacts listed on the foundation site, but standard membership, donation, or charge questions can be handled through the general channels. ([embarcaderomediafoundation.org](https://www.embarcaderomediafoundation.org/contact/?utm_source=openai))