San Francisco Foundation

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San Francisco Foundation is a San Francisco Bay Area philanthropy organization. It is one of the largest community foundations in the United States.[1] Its mission is to mobilize community leaders, nonprofits, government agencies, and donors to advance racial equity, diversity, and economic inclusion. It focuses on social justice, community building, access to affordable housing, political action, policy change, workers' rights, employment opportunity, and civic leadership. Its current CEO is Fred Blackwell Jr.[2][3][4]

History

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On January 16, 1948, the San Francisco Foundation officially launched with a luncheon at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel just off of San Francisco's Union Square. The foundation was created by Marjorie de Young Elkus of the Columbia Foundation, Leslie Ganyard of the Rosenberg Foundation, and Daniel E. Koshland Sr. of Levi Strauss & Co, who served as the foundation's first chairman.[5] The foundation was established to provide the community with "a contemporary agency sensitive to current social needs, and one which will help build a future which will magnify the opportunities of generations yet to be born," according to the foundation's inaugural press release.

Grantmaking, programs, and funds

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San Francisco Foundation manages and administers grants, programs, and funds that help to support its agenda of racial equity, diversity, and economic inclusion.[6] These programs and funds include the Bay Area Leads Fund; Koshland Civic Unity Program; Multicultural Fellowship Program; Womxn of Color, Womxn of Power Program; Rapid Response Fund for Movement Building; FAITHS (Foundation Alliance with Interfaith to Heal Society); Artistic Hubs Cohort; and Bay Area Community Impact Fund.

As of the end of fiscal year 2025, the foundation's total assets under management were $1.9 billion, total grants to nonprofit organizations were $216 million, and total donor contributions and bequests were $227 million.

Collaboratives

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San Francisco Foundation works with various partners in several affiliated organizations that advance the foundation's agenda: ReWork the Bay, Great Communities Collaborative, HOPE SF, and Partnership for the Bay's Future.[7][8]

Awards and scholarships

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San Francisco Foundation issues awards and scholarships to youth and artists to promote leadership, support disadvantaged community members, and foster artistic growth: the Koshland Young Leader Awards, SFF/Nomadic Press Literary Award, Murphy Award and the Cadogan Scholarships, and the Rella Lossy Award.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

References

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  1. ^ Allday, Erin (September 6, 2009). "San Francisco Foundation's caring leadership". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  2. ^ May, Meredith (October 21, 2014). "Fred Blackwell in his dream job at SF Foundation". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  3. ^ Torres, Blanca (April 2, 2014). "Fred Blackwell shocks Oakland, will leave to join the San Francisco Foundation". San Francisco Business Times. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  4. ^ Garofoli, Joe; Kane, Will (April 2, 2014). "Oakland loses City Administrator Fred Blackwell after 1 month". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  5. ^ "Our Milestones". September 10, 2022.
  6. ^ May, Meredith (October 17, 2013). "S.F. Foundation a funding clearinghouse". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  7. ^ "Partnership for the Bay's Future Announces Affordable Housing Grants". Philanthropy News Digest. February 6, 2020. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  8. ^ Roberts, Donald (June 23, 2022). "New Housing Developments For HOPE SF". San Francisco News. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  9. ^ "S.F. foundation awards". San Francisco Chronicle. July 2, 1992 – via Proquest #303068834.
  10. ^ "Carl Anthony wins '95 SF Foundation Award". Oakland Post. January 24, 1996 – via Proquest #367352404.
  11. ^ "Angela Blackwell receives award". Oakland Post. September 16, 1992 – via Proquest #367351184.
  12. ^ "United Way chief gets S.F. Award". San Francisco Chronicle. October 15, 1985 – via Proquest #301958991.
  13. ^ "Berkeley education wins award". Oakland Post. July 6, 1977 – via Proquest #371740773.
  14. ^ "SF Foundation Awards closing". Oakland Post. February 29, 1976 – via Proquest #371682276.
  15. ^ "Nominations open for Foundation Awards". Oakland Post. April 7, 1974 – via Proquest #371667820.
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