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The San Francisco Foundation Supports Protecting Civil Rights by Formally Opposing Proposition 8
Proposition 8 on the November ballot would rewrite our California Constitution to limit marriage to between a man and a woman – denying same sex couples the respect, dignity, and responsibility that come with marriage. After careful consideration, the Board of Trustees of The San Francisco Foundation unanimously agreed to formally oppose Proposition 8 on the November 2008 ballot. The Foundation strongly opposes the violation of civil rights for any individual or group of individuals. Read more to learn about the impact of the Proposition, how we are working to defeat it, and what you can do.
Join The San Francisco Foundation in Supporting Measure A to Save San Francisco General Hospital
Measure A, the General Obligation Bond Measure on the November ballot in San Francisco, will build a new seismically safe San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH). The measure authorizes an $887,400,000 bond to rebuild San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH) without a net increase in the city’s debt load or property tax burden. SFGH is San Francisco’s only Trauma Center and is a critical component of our city’s public health system that we must protect. After careful consideration, The San Francisco Foundation is endorsing this measure because we are confident that everything possible has been done to ensure the city will deliver the new hospital building on time and on budget. Read more to learn more about this ballot measure and how you can help support it.
Welcome New Multicultural Fellows
We are pleased to welcome three new Multicultural Fellows: Nacala Jendayi, Navin Moul, and Vanessa Camarena-Arredondo, who are working in the areas of Education, Social Justice, and Arts and Culture, respectively. As part of the Multicultural Fellowship Program, each new Fellow brings unique perspectives and experiences to the two-year program, during which they willgain dynamic hands-on leadership experience to prepare them for future positions in the nonprofit, philanthropic, and public sectors.
$5 Million Initiative Addresses Mortgage Foreclosure Crisis
In response to the national mortgage foreclosure crisis, The San Francisco Foundation joined forces in a public/private partnership to support the California Home Owner Preservation Initiative. This important collaboration has already raised $5 million from financial institutions, foundations, and private donors, and is expected to help thousands of homeowners currently at risk of foreclosure. This first-of-its kind Initiative will provide grants to community-based nonprofit housing counseling agencies to expand the availability of foreclosure intervention counseling services in California during the next two years.
Support Burmese Relief and Rebuild Efforts
Cyclone Nargis hit Burma on Saturday, May 3rd. So far, accounts of casualties may reach 70,000, and more than a million may be hurt and homeless. The Foundation for the People of Burma is actively organizing relief and rebuild efforts. Please go to www.foundationburma.org for more information on the situation, and to lend your support. On Friday, May 16, 2008, we hosted an emergency briefing and we invite you to listen to the audio of the event to learn more about the critical situation in Burma and what you can to help.
Apply Online Now for the June 2, 2008, Deadline
Register now for Grantee Center, our new interactive community resource for applicants and grantees. From Grantee Center you can apply online, view your current and past applications and grants, submit reports, view the latest information about grant opportunities, and more. Intent to Apply forms for our June 2nd deadline must be submitted through Grantee Center, so check it out today.
Sandra Hernández, M.D. Announced as Hispanic Business Woman of the Year 2008
In recognition of her decades of dedication to civic engagement, public health, and philanthropy, we're proud to announce that Hispanic Business Magazine has named San Francisco Foundation CEO Sandra Hernández, M.D., the 2008 Hispanic Business Woman of the Year. She is lauded for advancing the national healthcare debate, for her incredible drive and accomplishments, and for her focus not only on doing good, but on developing opportunities for producing public good. Hispanic Business will honor Dr. Hernández at an event in Arizona in late May. Read more to access the complete article from Hispanic Business Magazine.
Call for Nominations for the 2008 Community Leadership Awards
We invite you to nominate outstanding leaders in your community for The San Francisco Foundation 2008 Community Leadership Awards. The Awards recognize individuals and organizations whose leadership has made a significant impact in their particular Bay Area communities. This work may confront societal or civic issues, address health or environmental concerns, or promote arts and humanities. One of the four Awards distinguishes an under-recognized, mature artist who has made a significant and ongoing contribution in the Bay Area. Each year their peers nominate outstanding individuals and groups, and a panel of Bay Area community leaders selects the Award winners. Individuals receive $10,000 awards and organizations are awarded $20,000. Nominations for 2008 have been extended and are now due on Friday, March 14, 2008. Read more to learn about the nomination process.
FAITHS Community Partners Mini-Grant Announced
The San Francisco Foundation's FAITHS Program extends an invitation to congregations and faith-based organizations to apply for mini-grants of up to $5,000 to support their work increasing the civic participation of traditionally underrepresented constituencies. Read more for complete information about how to apply by the March 7th deadline.
Join the Impact Campaign: the Power of Giving Together
Leverage the power of giving together with the Impact Campaign, a new focused strategy to make a difference in the areas of need you care about most. Invest in your passion for the arts, education, the environment, health, social justice, or fighting poverty, through these featured organizations that are making a remarkable impact. Drawing upon the extensive knowledge and expertise of our Program Officers, we have hand-picked extraordinary organizations and initiatives that transform lives and strengthen our community. Read more to learn how you can help support these new collaborative strategies to address the Bay Area’s toughest challenges.
CEO Sandra Hernandez Appointed to the Institute of Medicine’s Committee to Implement a Pandemic Flu Drug Program
Sandra R. Hernández, MD, has been appointed to the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) committee on the Prophylactic Use of Antiviral Medications during an Influenza Pandemic. The committee members bring expertise in medicine, public health, public policy, epidemiology, emergency preparedness, and ethics. Their charge is to develop strategies of prophylactic treatment, best practices, and policies for implementing a pandemic influenza antiviral drug program. Read more to learn about the committee’s work and membership.
The San Francisco Foundation Supports Relief and Long-term Restoration Following the Cosco Busan Oil Spill in the San Francisco Bay
The impact of the recent environmental disaster is still unknown. So far, we do know that more than 58,000 gallons of oil have spilled into the San Francisco Bay and more than 1,200 birds have been collected. Environmentalists are predicting that substantial sensitive bay and coastal habitats will be contaminated and destroyed; and long after rescuers have cleaned and released the last oil-soaked bird, the toxic effects of last week’s oil spill will linger in the Bay Area ecosystem and affect all its inhabitants – humans and animal alike. The San Francisco Foundation is committed to supporting emergency efforts, longer-term restoration of habitats and wetlands, and policy initiatives to strengthen protection of the Bay. Join us to help address the needs brought on by this spill. Please support The San Francisco Foundation Cosco Busan Oil Spill Fund, which has already launched with an initial contribution of $250,000 and has a goal of matching funds to reach $500,000. In addition, we invite you to contribute directly to our select nonprofit partners who we are funding, and who are first responders in this effort.
Ron Rowell Honored with KQED Local Hero Award
Ron Rowell, The San Francisco Foundation’s program officer for social justice, was honored with a local hero award from KQED for his work in the American Indian community. A large crowd gathered with Mayor Gavin Newsom in the rotunda in San Francisco’s City Hall for a celebration on November 2nd in honor of American Indian Heritage Month. Local cultural groups entertained with drumming and dance performances. KQED will profile Ron as a local hero on television during November, as part of the Heritage festivities.
The San Francisco Foundation and Bay Area receive $7.7 million in grants from the Wallace Foundation
The San Francisco Foundation is pleased to announce that The Wallace Foundation has named The San Francisco Foundation, Grants for the Arts, and the Bay Area as their 2007 partners for their innovative arts initiative. Philadelphia is the other city selected this year. This innovative, far-reaching, multi-year model of arts funding is designed to foster growth in public attendance and participation in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. Eleven San Francisco Arts Organizations will receive $6.3 million, and another $1.47 million will support audience-building in the nine Bay Area counties. The awards were announced on October 30th at City Hall by Mayor Gavin Newsom, The San Francisco Foundation CEO Dr. Sandra Hernández, and The Wallace Foundation President Christine DeVita. Read more to learn which Bay Area organizations receive the prestigious Excellence Awards.
Support Recovery and Rebuilding After the Wildfires in Southern California
The disastrous wildfires in Southern California are devastating local communities, and it will take help from across the nation to rebuild the lives of the individuals and families effected by the fires. To support these fire relief efforts, we encourage you to donate to the San Diego Foundation’s After-the-Fires Fund or the California Community Foundation’s Southern California Wildfire Relief Fund. Read more to learn more about the goals of these funds and how to donate.
F. Warren Hellman serenades San Francisco Foundation CEO
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass co-founder, Hellman & Friedman co-founder, and San Francisco Foundation donor F. Warren Hellman serenaded San Francisco Foundation CEO Dr. Sandra Hernandez, on the occasion of her 10th anniversary as CEO. He sang, "Life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes." Read more to watch the video online.
Community Leadership Awards Celebrated During Inspirational Evening
On September 25th, we hosted The San Francisco Foundation 2007 Community Leadership Awards annual celebration. This year's awardees, Jane Garcia, Alonzo King, Eva Paterson, Arnold Perkins, and Swords to Plowshares were honored for their extraordinary leadership of our community.
Celebrate the 2007 Community Leadership Awards
Please join us for an evening of inspiration, fun, and food at 2007 Community Leadership Awards Celebration. This year we are proud to honor Jane Garcia, Alonzo King, Arnold Perkins, Eva Paterson, and Swords to Plowshares. During this event, we will also present the Koshland Young Leader Awards, which recognize high school juniors who are leaders in their communities. Read more to RSVP online.
Trustee Emeritus Len Kingsley Passes Away
With great sadness we share that Mr. Leonard Kingsley passed away on August 11, 2007. Serving on our Board of Trustees from 1986 through 1996, Mr. Kingsley was passionate about improving our Bay Area for all of its residents. He will be remembered for his consistent support of social activism and civic engagement.
Welcome to Our New Website
As a community foundation, we work to strengthen the region, promote philanthropy, and act as a bridge between resources and those in need. To further this effort we are proud to announce the launching of our new website. We view the web as integral to our goal of opening communications, increasing our transparency as an organization, and providing easy access to the foundation for our donors, grantees, and partners.