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Envisioning a Thriving and Engaged Bayview Hunters Point
We are honored to work with leaders and organizations in Bayview Hunters Point toward the ultimate goal of a thriving and engaged community. An important component of the 702-acre project to redevelop the Hunter’s Point Naval Shipyard and Candlestick Point is the landmark Core Community Benefits Agreement negotiated between local community groups and the project’s developer. It provides millions of dollars for workforce development and affordable housing for San Francisco’s District 10. The San Francisco Foundation is supporting the Implementation Committee, made up of community groups and leaders who are responsible for the funds, so that they may achieve maximum grantmaking impact in the areas of workforce development and affordable housing. On May 3rd, we joined Mayor Ed Lee and community groups in San Francisco’s City Hall to announce the initial $7.3 million for local job training and housing assistance.
Supporting the Next Generation of Contemporary Artists
The Murphy and Cadogan Contemporary Art Awards are emblematic of The San Francisco Foundation’s community of donors’ enduring legacy of generosity, foresight, and commitment to supporting generations of successful artistic, civic, and community innovation. The Murphy and Cadogan Awards have had a tremendous impact on the lives of Bay Area emerging artists, including 2011 Awardee Senalka McDonald who said, "Being able to share a piece of myself, and gaining recognition for expressing a passion that developed in the face of adversity has inspired me to continue on the path toward a gratifying career. I sincerely appreciate the investment that has been made towards my future."
Our Annual Report: Greater Impact Together
At The San Francisco Foundation, it’s all about change for the greater good. We invite you to check out our annual report, Greater Impact Together, to learn about all that we did, together with our donors and partners, to create lasting impact in 2011.
On Mentorship, Partnership, and Going Statewide: An Interview with Raquel Donoso
On March 22, the Latino Community Foundation (LCF), a supporting organization established in partnership with The San Francisco Foundation, hosted their 7th Annual Gala celebrating the influence of Latino culture, contribution, and philanthropy in the Bay Area. On the eve of this fantastic night where Sheryl Sandberg will be the keynote speaker addressing the impact of social media in Latino communities, we asked Executive Director Raquel Donoso to share with us her thoughts on the growth of LCF, her mentorship with CEO Sandra R. Hernández, M.D., and LCF’s plans for the future.
Changing Lives Through Documentary Film
This year, The San Francisco Foundation is relaunching the Bay Area Documentary Fund with awards of $10,000 to $25,000 to accomplished artists in film, video, and digital media. “The Bay Area Documentary Fund supports films that give voice to the vital issues of our time and serve as an important tool for impacting people’s lives,” said Tere Romo, Arts and Culture program officer at The San Francisco Foundation.
Policy Talk: Budget Reform 2012
The San Francisco Foundation's public policy agenda weaves through the work we do to support long-term change in the Bay Area. On Tuesday, January 24, we launched a conversation about state budget policy through a convening of regional policy experts and advocates called “Budget Reform 2012: Voter Education and Mobilization to Shape a More Equitable Economy.”
Apply to Become a Multicultural Fellow
The San Francisco Foundation is recruiting candidates for the 2012-2014 Multicultural Fellowship Program. We are looking for applicants with expertise in three program areas: Community Development, Education, and the Environment. For three decades, the Multicultural Fellowship Program has cultivated diverse leadership in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. The Fellowship is a two-year, full-time program for young professionals of color with the talent and drive to create positive social change in Bay Area communities.
Prop 8 Ruling: Another Step Toward Marriage Equality
On Tuesday, February 7, 2012, a federal appeals court ruled that Proposition 8’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. This latest court decision is another step toward ensuring equality and civil rights for all Californians. Social justice is a core value that weaves through all of the work we do at The San Francisco Foundation, and supporting marriage equality aligns with our mission. “On behalf of our board and staff, we applaud the Court’s decision to defend the rights of same-sex couples and their families with this important ruling,” says James Head, vice president of programs at the Foundation.
Call for Nominations: The San Francisco Foundation 2012 Community Leadership Awards
We’re excited to announce that we have opened our nominations for The San Francisco Foundation 2012 Community Leadership Awards. The Community Leadership Awards celebrate visionary leaders doing extraordinary work to strengthen Bay Area communities. This work may confront societal or civic issues, address health or environmental concerns, or promote arts and humanities. We honor people who are rolling up their sleeves, taking initiative, and solving problems in their neighborhoods and communities.
Koshland Young Leader Goes to Washington
A winner of The San Francisco Foundation’s 2011 Koshland Young Leader Award, Huimin “Happy” Yang went to the White House this week to attend a forum on Asian American and Pacific Islanders Youth Leadership. A Balboa High School senior, Huimin is well on her way to fulfilling her promise as a strong advocate for her community. Huimin was among a select handful of students invited by the Assistant Secretary for Housing and Urban Development to participate in the briefing.
Bay Area Conservation Groups Join Forces to Protect Redwoods and Habitat
Hundreds of majestic redwoods will remain for years to come, thanks to a coalition of conservation groups, funders, and The San Francisco Foundation. Through the Living Landscape Initiative, the organizations purchased the largest expanse of old-growth redwoods and wildlife habitat in the Santa Cruz Mountains, preserving the precious land and natural resources for future generations.
Joining Together to Strengthen Opportunity for Women and Girls in the Bay Area
The Women and Girls Impact Fund has received tremendous community response and support from our wonderful donors and professional advisors. Inspired by the mission of the fund, The Humphreys Group selected The Women and Girls Impact Fund as their client donation of the year, and included a wonderful note in their end-of-year holiday card. We at The San Francisco Foundation were so moved by this generous donation we want to take the opportunity to share with all of you words from Lisa St. Claire, CFP of The Humphreys Group, about why they joined with us to invest in strengthening opportunities for women and girls in the Bay Area.
Public-Private Partnership Brings Job Training Programs to Bay Area Community Colleges
In the nation, and throughout our region, job creation is key to our recovery from the recession. The San Francisco Foundation has a multi-pronged approach to help put Bay Area residents back to work. One strategy that we’ve been investing in since 2004 is the Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative (BAWFC). A nationally recognized initiative, BAWFC helps job seekers build new skills while also helping employers find trained workers. This year, to maximize our impact on this complex issue, The San Francisco Foundation sought and won a $600,000 federal grant on behalf of the Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative (BAWFC). The grant is the only one to be awarded in California.
Going Social: Arts Groups Amplify Online Audience Engagement
Social media has helped spark movements for change, from the Middle East to Wall Street. Building community, collaboration, and sharing communication both near and far, social media has changed how we capture and tell stories, how far and wide our stories reach, and how we engage the world. Over the last few years, as part of The Wallace Foundation Cultural Participation Initiative, we’ve partnered with regional funders and local arts organizations to support their work in fostering a more engaged and participatory culture that shapes and expands their opportunities to share stories across communities.
In Memoriam F. Warren Hellman 1934 - 2011
We honor our beloved Trustee and Chair Emeriti, Investment Committee Member, and Bay Area visionary. Warren was an extraordinary civic leader. His courage, compassion, and creativity have had immeasurable impact in the region. Warren served as a Trustee of The San Francisco Foundation for eleven years, and was Chair for three. Warren embodied our mission, to mobilize resources and act as a catalyst for change to build strong communities, foster civic leadership, and promote philanthropy. We were blessed to have had the the privilege and pleasure of working closely with him on his intensely personal and broadly impactful philanthropy.
We Join in Honoring Warren Hellman
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.
Investing in Women and Girls
"Helping many more women attain leadership positions yields benefits way beyond the correcting of past inequalities and injustice," says Jane Baker, a donor to The San Francisco Foundation. "With more women shaping and leading the world, it will be a more peaceful, creative, and strong place for all." That’s why Baker has invested in the Women and Girls Impact Fund, a new strategy that supports the success of women and girls.
Creating Healthy Communities
"People are healthier when the places where they live and work support good health," said Sandra R. Hernández, M.D., CEO of The San Francisco Foundation, at the start of a national webinar about promoting healthy communities. To create safe and healthy neighborhoods, everyone from citizens to policymakers, and funders to city planners must work together to improve policies and environments.
$5 Million in Grants for Jobs, Foreclosure Prevention, and Safety Net
This month, The San Francisco Foundation granted $5 million to nonprofits focused on jobs, foreclosure prevention, and safety net programs.
Changing the World for Women and Girls
We believe in the power of women and girls to make a difference and to improve our democracy. On Tuesday, November 15, 2011, The San Francisco Foundation and nearly 100 of our donors affirmed that belief at the Second Annual Women Changing the World Luncheon at the Futures Without Violence Conference Center in the Presidio.