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Support Pakistan Flood Relief and Recovery
With the worst flooding in 80 years, Pakistan is facing a humanitarian crisis of the most severe proportions. Please give generously to provide immediate relief and long term recovery. Our program staff experts vetted three organizations that we recommend to you for support. They provide critical food, water, shelter, and medical care to the hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis now in need.
Community Development Multicultural Fellow Joins the Foundation
The San Francisco Foundation is proud to welcome Abony Alexander, the new Community Development Program Fellow. Abony begins a two-year term as a part of the Foundation’s Multicultural Fellowship Program, a two-year, dynamic hands-on leadership experience, which cultivates the next generation of community leaders that reflects the diversity of our region.
Congratulations to the 2010 Community Leadership Awardees
Every year we recognize exemplary individuals and organizations who make a significant impact in their respective Bay Area communities. We are proud to announce this year’s Community Leadership Awardees: Dr. Washington Burns, Anna Halprin, Sylvia Rosales-Fike, and East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation. Join us on September 28th as we honor these leaders. Read more for complete event details and to RSVP.
President Obama Nominates Trustee Charlene Harvey to the Presidio Trust Board
This week President Barack Obama appointed San Francisco Foundation Trustee Charlene Harvey to the board of directors of the Presidio Trust. The appointment is an acknowledgment of Charlene’s renown public service and her lifelong commitment to the nonprofit sector, including serving on the boards of KQED and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and her current role as co-chair of the Campaign for the Presidio and the Golden Gate National Parks. The Presidio Trust oversees the Presidio as an enduring resource for the public, and is dedicated to ensuring that visitors have the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of its place in American history, and the plants and wildlife that once thrived throughout the region.
Prop 8 Ruled Unconstitutional – A Milestone for Gay Marriage and Civil Rights
Chief U.S. Judge Vaughn Walker’s recent ruling signaled a significant milestone in our collective efforts to protect civil rights for all. Judge Walker deemed that the legislation unduly targeted a class of people and attempted to justify discrimination against them by stripping same-sex couples of the right to marry. Social justice is a core value of The San Francisco Foundation, and as such, we are uplifted by this important ruling and the possibilities for closing the gaps of disparity and enhancing the quality of life for all.
Education and Environment Multicultural Fellows Join the Foundation
The San Francisco Foundation is proud to welcome two new Multicultural Fellows, Environment Program Fellow Jessica Buendia and Education Program Fellow Tara Genea Wilson. Jessica and Tara are embarking on a two-year, dynamic hands-on leadership experience as part of the Foundation’s Multicultural Fellowship Program, which cultivates the next generation of community leaders that reflects the diversity of our region.
The 2010 Community Leadership Awards Celebration Host Committee
Each year, the Community Leadership Awards celebrate individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the Bay Area, for improving the quality of life of its residents and encouraging others to do the same. We are pleased to announce the members to the Community Leadership Awards Host Committee. Read more for the complete Host Committee list, to learn about this year’s winners, and to RSVP for the September 28th event.
Report Spotlights Support for Oakland and East Bay Nonprofits
A report released by The Foundation Center examines nearly $237 million in foundation grantmaking to support Oakland and East Bay nonprofits in 2008. "The Key Facts on Foundation Giving for Oakland" report highlights that elementary/secondary education and services and human services are the most funded subjects. Amongst California foundations, The San Francisco Foundation ranks sixth in funding in the region.
James Head Elected President of the Oakland Port Commission
James Head, the Foundation’s Interim CEO and Vice President of Programs, was elected president of the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners. James has served as a commissioner on the seven-member board since 2009 and will lead the governing body of the Port of Oakland. The Board of Port Commissioners oversees the use of income from Port properties including the Oakland International Airport, the Bay Area’s second largest airport, and the Oakland seaport, the fifth busiest container port in the U.S., as well as 20 miles of waterfront.
Demystifying Federal Health Reform Convening Sheds Light on New Law
The San Francisco Foundation FAITHS, Koshland, and Community Health programs brought together more than 100 diverse community members to learn about and discuss the recently passed national healthcare law. Key leaders from three Bay Area health advocacy groups briefed faith-based organizations, neighborhood residents, and grassroots leaders, as well as community health practitioners and administrators, on the benefits of the new law while urging them to press lawmakers to act with underserved communities in mind during these difficult economic times.
Support Gulf Coast Recovery Efforts
The BP oil drilling disaster is one of the most significant threats to the environment in U.S. history, with tragic implications on Gulf Coast communities, environmentally and economically, and the larger global community. After careful review and a thorough vetting process by our expert staff, we encourage you to support the Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and Ecological Health. We believe the Fund is aligned with our core values and our commitment to bolstering social justice in the communities impacted by this disaster. Read More to learn how you can help the recovery and cleanup efforts.
Celebrating the 2010 Koshland Young Leaders
The San Francisco Foundation recently honored the 2010 Koshland Young Leaders Awardees, seven college-bound San Francisco public high school juniors who are highly motivated to achieve despite facing formidable challenges in multiple aspects of their lives, such as economic and family responsibilities. Although incredibly diverse in origins and goals, this year’s Awardees are united in their compassion, sheer drive to succeed, and gratefulness to their teachers, friends, families, mentors, and peers. Read More to learn about the Awards and see photos from the event.
Report Reveals Bay Area Funders’ Response in Economic Downturn
The Safety Net Funders Network, launched in partnership with The San Francisco Foundation, released its report “Strengthening the Safety Net: Bay Area Philanthropy’s Response and Early Lessons.” The report details the recession’s impact on families and individuals in the Bay Area and provides new perspectives and strategies for collaboration, setting priorities, public policy, and funding. Collaboration, public-private partnerships, and systems change were identified by the report as keys to successfully strengthening the safety net nonprofits, and the public agencies that support them. Read More to learn about recent trends in Bay Area safety net grantmaking.
Environmental and Climate Justice Victory in Richmond
The California State Court of Appeals rejected Chevron's appeal on the refinery expansion in Richmond, and ruled that the Environmental Impact Report for the project violated state environmental law. This is a major victory for our communities. The San Francisco Foundation is proud to support environmental justice groups like Communities for a Better Environment, Asian Pacific Environmental Network, West County Toxics Coalition, and Earthjustice who worked together to play a pivotal role in holding Chevron – the largest greenhouse gas emitter in the state of California – accountable to environmental health and justice standards. These groups worked closely empowering community members who made their own voices heard, including at demonstrations and rallies at Richmond City Council meetings. Read More to learn how the implications of this community victory reach far beyond the City of Richmond.
Bay Area Artists Raise $1.3 Million in Tough Economy through the Fund For Artists Matching Commissions
The resources and incentivizing power of the Matching Commissions bolstered local artists’ fundraising success. The announcement of Matching Commissions results coincides with the release of a study on the arts community and arts donors and a survey of how Bay Area artists are faring in the economic downturn. The study chronicles how artists and small- to mid-size arts groups found creative ways to engage new donors in supporting new work, and uncovers donors’ motivations to give. Read More to learn about the study's practical tools and tips to individual artists and small arts groups for raising funds for new artistic work, as well as connection points with prospective donors that can increase the likelihood of giving.
New San Francisco Bay Area Capacity Builders of Color Directory Promotes Diversity
Strengthening the diversity of the Bay Area is central to The San Francisco Foundation’s mission. As part of our ongoing efforts to support racial and ethnic equity, as well as the effectiveness and impact of our nonprofit partners who serve our communities, we are proud to launch a new online directory of San Francisco Bay Area Capacity Builders of Color. Designed to help community-based organizations increase their diversity, and consultants of color broaden their client-base, we invite you to search these 100 profiles.
California Homeownership Preservation Initiative Recognized for its Important Impact at the 2010 Community Reinvestment Awards
The 2010 Community Reinvestment Awards recognized the California Home Ownership Preservation Initiative (CHOPI) with an honorable mention for its important impact on California through its work to bring together financial institutions, foundations, and nonprofit organizations to increase access to services and improve outcomes for Californians facing foreclosure. Since CHOPI was launched in 2008, the $5.3 million program has helped provide foreclosure counseling to nearly 47,500 low- and moderate-income homeowners in 50 counties, and prevented 6,681 foreclosures. The initiative broke new ground as an innovative partnership to increase the number of people educated and equipped to save their homes.
Be Counted – Complete Your Census Form
April 1st is Census Day. Census data guides local decision-makers in important community planning efforts including where to build roads, hospitals, and schools. It determines how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as the redistricting of state legislatures, county and city councils, and voting districts. The importance of a complete and accurate count for the 2010 Census cannot be overstated. Every year, more than $400 billion in federal funds are awarded to states and communities based on census data. Take ten minutes and let your voice be heard. Complete your ten-question 2010 Census form. Read more to learn about The San Francisco Foundation’s grants to organizations reaching hard-to-count communities, and see powerful artwork they created to engage these communities in civic activity.
Responding to Chilean Communities in Need
A magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck the coast of Chile on Saturday, February 27th. Initial reports indicate that up to 2 million people are in need of shelter and that more than 700 were killed in the quake. The San Francisco Foundation will continue to monitor the situation, including how donors might effectively assist those in need, and we will keep you updated through our website.
FAITHS Community Partners Mini-Grants Applications Due March 24th
Every year The San Francisco Foundation's FAITHS Program supports congregations and faith-based organizations’ community service, civic engagement, or cultural and artistic programs. We invite faith-based organizations in the five Bay Area counties we serve (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo) to apply for a mini-grant of up to $5,000. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, 2010.