We Join in Honoring Warren Hellman

December 2011

Yesterday, The San Francisco Park and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to rename Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park to Hellman Hollow in honor of Warren Hellman. We at The San Francisco Foundation wholeheartedly support this gracious and important tribute to Warren’s extraordinary impact on our community.

In that spirit, we are sharing excerpts of letters that both CEO Sandra R. Hernández, M.D. and the Board of Trustees wrote on behalf of Warren Hellman and his many years of service as TSFF Board Chair, Investment Committee member, and champion in making the Bay Area the best place it can be.

Excerpt of Letter From CEO Sandra R. Hernández, M.D.:

"Warren is a singular force for the greater good in our community. He is a creative and dedicated advocate for public education, public parks, free clinics, and dance and music for all. As a civic and business leader, Warren is a role model setting the highest standards for ethical practices and engaged citizenry.

As a philanthropist, Warren’s vision and generosity knows no bounds. Be it park bonds, public school bonds, online journalism, modern dance, or blue grass music, he invests where his heart is and has made San Francisco and the Bay Area more just, more fun, and more beautiful as a result.

Warren Hellman was the Chair of the Board of Trustees of The San Francisco Foundation and served as Trustee for ten years. He continues as a member of our Investment Committee. Throughout his tenure at the Foundation, I have had the privilege and pleasure of working closely with him on his intensely personal and broadly impactful philanthropy.

The San Francisco Foundation mission is to mobilize resources and act as a catalyst for change to build strong communities, foster civic leadership, and promote philanthropy. Warren Hellman is the embodiment of this mission, and the Bay Area is all the better for his selfless contributions."

Excerpt of Letter From The San Francisco Foundation Board of Trustees:

"Warren is a visionary and an extraordinary civic leader. His courage, compassion, and creativity have had immeasurable impact in the region, from schools to clinics, and from art to parking.

Because of Warren’s vision and generosity, hundreds of thousands of revelers celebrate every fall at Golden Gate Park’s Speedway Meadow at his the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. The Festival beautifully epitomizes Warren’s signature approach; to start with his personal passion, innovate an original idea, bring in multitudes of talented partners, and then take it to scale so that the results affect millions…we, the Board of Trustees, are honored to support this important gesture to pay tribute to Warren’s extraordinary impact on our community."