The San Francisco Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is one of the largest community foundations in the United States. The organization's goal is to bring together community leaders, nonprofits, government agencies, and donors to promote equal rights, respect for different backgrounds, and fair economic opportunities. It works on issues like social justice, building strong communities, providing affordable housing, political activities, changing policies, workers' rights, job opportunities, and helping people take part in leadership roles. The current CEO is Fred Blackwell Jr.
History
On January 16, 1948, the San Francisco Foundation began with a lunch event at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, located near 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 became the foundation's first chairman. The foundation was formed to help the community by creating "a modern organization aware of the needs of the community, and one that will help build a future that increases the chances for people who will be born later," as stated in the foundation's first press release.
Grantmaking, programs, and funds
The San Francisco Foundation handles and oversees grants, programs, and funds that support its goals of racial equity, diversity, and economic inclusion. 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.
At the end of fiscal year 2021, the foundation had $1.9 billion in total money it managed. It received $178 million in gifts and donations left in wills. The foundation gave out $166 million in grants during that time.
Collaboratives
The San Francisco Foundation collaborates with several partner groups, including ReWork the Bay, Great Communities Collaborative, HOPE SF, Keep Oakland Housed, Partnership for the Bay's Future, and Oakland Codes, to help the foundation achieve its goals.
Awards and scholarships
The San Francisco Foundation gives out awards and scholarships to young people and artists. These awards help young people develop leadership skills, support people in need, and encourage artistic talent. The foundation offers several programs, including the Koshland Young Leader Awards, the SFF/Nomadic Press Literary Award, the Murphy Award, the Cadogan Scholarships, and the Rella Lossy Award.