Community Leadership Awards

Please join us on Tuesday, September 23rd for the 2008 Community Leadership Awards Celebration. See below for more details and to RSVP.

About The San Francisco Foundation Community Leadership Awards

The San Francisco Foundation Community Leadership 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.

We celebrate people who are rolling up their sleeves, taking initiative, and solving problems in their neighborhoods and communities.

Up to four Community Leadership Awards are given out each year. $10,000 awards are given to individual leaders, and $20,000 awards to organizations.

The Community Leadership Awards showcase individual or organizational excellence in leadership as demonstrated by outstanding initiative, impact of work, and inspiration of others. With each award, The San Francisco Foundation publicly affirms present achievements, seeks to encourage further work on the part of the recipients, and hopes to motivate others to follow their lead in service to Bay Area communities.

The San Francisco Foundation 2008 Community Leadership Awardees

We're proud to announce the following recipients of the 2008 Community Leadership Awardees. We hope you will join us on Tuesday, September 23, 2008, to celebrate them. Please see the Awards Celebration section below for more information.

Van Jones, Co-founder and Board Member of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, for his inspirational and galvanizing work in youth and civil right activism.

He receives this award in the spirit of the Robert C. Kirkwood Award, made to an individual in recognition of outstanding community service, commitment, and inspired leadership.

Malcolm Margolin, Writer, Publisher, and Founder of Heyday Books, for promoting California’s diverse cultures for more than 30 years, and for bringing voice, visibility, and value to multicultural, multilingual communities.

He receives this award in the spirit of the Helen Crocker Russell Award, made to an under-recognized, mature artist who has made a significant and ongoing contribution in the Bay Area.

Elizabeth “Betita” Martinez, Organizer, Educator, Writer, for building unity and alliances across traditional racial and gender lines, and for serving as a selfless and inspirational advocate for oppressed peoples around the world.

She receives this award in the spirit of The San Francisco Foundation Award, made to an individual demonstrating exemplary commitment to improving human relations in the Bay Area.

Asian Women’s Shelter, a cornerstone in the Asian Pacific Islander and anti-domestic violence communities, for its dedication to assisting Asian women and children escape family violence and rebuild their lives. 

The organization receives this award in the spirit of the John R. May Award, made for organizational initiatives in response to a significant contemporary problem.

Awards Celebration

On Tuesday, September 25, 2007, we hosted an evening of inspiration, fun, and food for more than 800 people at The San Francisco Foundation 2007 Community Leadership Awards Celebration. During this celebration, we also presented the Koshland Young Leader Awards, which recognize high school juniors who are leaders in their communities.

Please join us for the 2008 Community Leadership Awards celebration on Tuesday, September 23, 2008.

Inspiration – Fun – Food – Community

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Awards ceremony begins promptly at 6:30 pm, followed by the reception

Herbst Theater, War Memorial Veterans Building
401 Van Ness Avenue between Grove and McAllister Streets, San Francisco
Directions and parking information

Free admission

RSVP online or call 415.733.8577

Nominations

Each year, we solicit nominations from across the Bay Area to recognize outstanding local leaders in our community. The deadline for 2008 nominations has now passed. Information about the 2009 nomination process will be available in January 2009.

Eligibility
Individuals and Organizations
Individuals and nonprofit organizations in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties may be nominated. Individuals from all sectors – from government agencies, nonprofits, corporations, or the private sector – are eligible for these awards. Nominations for emerging and innovative leadership are encouraged as well as for longstanding accomplishments.

Artists
One of the four awards is designated for an under-recognized, mature artist who has made a significant and ongoing contribution in the Bay Area. Artists from the performing, literary, media, and visual arts including craft, folk, and traditional forms will be considered. This award is made in the honor of Helen Crocker Russell.

Previous Community Leadership Award Winners
Previous Community Leadership Award winners are ineligible. Please click here for a complete list of past winners.

Selection Process

Nomination letters are vetted by Foundation staff, who conduct reference interviews for the most compelling candidates. Information is then forwarded on to the Awards Committee, a panel of community leaders from throughout the Bay Area, which reviews nominees and recommends finalists to the Board of Trustees, which selects the winners. Winners will be contacted in June. All nominators will be notified of the recipients in July.

The Trustees, staff, Awards Committee members, and their immediate families are not eligible to receive Community Leadership Awards from The San Francisco Foundation.

Past Community Leadership Award Winners

2007 Winners

Jane Garcia, Chief Executive Officer of La Clínica de la Raza

Jane’s visionary advocacy reflects the cultures and languages of patients and has advanced the national, state, and regional public health agenda. Under Jane’s dynamic leadership, La Clínica de la Raza grew from a storefront clinic to a national model of multilingual and multicultural access to healthcare. More than 20 sites provide crucial healthcare and empowerment to hundreds of thousands of low-income residents across the Bay Area.

In the spirit of the Robert C. Kirkwood Award, made to an individual in recognition of outstanding community service, commitment, and inspired leadership.

Alonzo King, Choreographer, Artistic Director, and Founder of Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet

Alonzo redefined classical ballet and builds community through his commitment to dance. His racially diverse company transformed the dance scene and our collective perception of dance by combining cultural traditions with classical ballet. His striking and creative performances exhilarate audiences around the world.

In the spirit of the Helen Crocker Russell Award, made to an under-recognized, mature artist who has made a significant and ongoing contribution in the Bay Area.

Eva Paterson, President of the Equal Justice Society

Eva has empowered thousands of people to make their voices heard in the critical civil rights struggles of our times. Eva’s passionate and longtime commitment to advancing social and racial justice through law and public policy, communications and the arts, and alliance building has had a profound local and national impact. Her vision, coalition building, and tenacity have not only won landmark cases, but have raised the visibility and impact of the justice movement to change the very fabric of our society.

In the spirit of The San Francisco Foundation Award, made to an individual demonstrating exemplary commitment to improving human relations in the Bay Area.

Arnold Perkins, Retired Director of the Alameda County Public Health Department

Arnold’s broad experiences reflect his passion to build and strengthen community spirit. Through his lifelong commitment to the Bay Area, Arnold has mentored hundreds of African American men and challenged them to be leaders in their own right. His diverse and inspired leadership creates positive change in the health of underserved communities locally and throughout the world.

In the spirit of The San Francisco Foundation Award, made to an individual demonstrating exemplary commitment to improving human relations in the Bay Area.

Swords to Plowshares

Swords to Plowshares is a critical center of support, advocacy, and services for war veterans. It has successfully transitioned from its origins serving Vietnam War veterans to now accommodating all veterans, including those from the current Iraq War. As a leading advocate for homeless and low-income veterans, it transforms national policy and provides comprehensive services, including counseling, employment programs, housing, and legal assistance.

In the spirit of the John R. May Award, made for organizational initiatives in response to a significant contemporary problem.

Usually four Community Leadership Awards are presented each year. In 2007, the Awards Committee was so impressed with the nominees that it felt it necessary to make an exception and recommend five candidates for that year’s Awards. This cohort of honorees conveys a strong message about the importance of bringing communities together and finding a shared voice on issues of immigration, social justice, and advocacy.

Watch a brief introduction to the 2007 Awardees by Dr. Sandra R. Hernández:

2006 Winners

Dr. Joseph Marshall, Jr. for redefining youth violence as a public health issue. By developing violence prevention methodologies and promoting these models nationwide, he influenced the lives of hundreds of young men and women whose mindsets were changed, and futures improved, through their involvement with Omega Boys Club/Street Soldiers.  Watch a short video about Joe Marshall below:

Michael Morgan for making symphonic music essential to the culture of the East Bay community. He is dedicated to minority access to the arts and arts education, visiting 100 schools every year. More than 20,000 public school students received hands-on music education because of Michael's leadership.   Watch a short video about Michael Morgan below:

Bishop William Swing for creating a more just and compassionate community. He reaches out across religions and takes risks to push for innovative solutions to social problems. Bishop Swing's perseverance in fighting homelessness, raising HIV/AIDS awareness, and providing equal access to healthcare has left an indelible imprint on local, national, and international communities.  Watch a short video about Bishop Swing below:

Alice Waters for transforming our relationship with food. Through her promotion of sustainable agriculture and the slow food movement, she fights obesity and fosters a clearer understanding of how the natural world sustains us. Alice and the Chez Panisse Foundation's Edible Schoolyard educates public school children on the importance of growing and cooking fresh, nutritional food.  Watch a short video about Alice Waters below:

 
2005 Winners

Ronald V. Dellums for his decades of courage, leadership, and vision in championing peace, justice, diversity, and economic equality, both locally and globally, and for his impact in moving the AIDS pandemic and its solutions to the top of the global agenda.  Watch a short video about Ronald V. Dellums below:

Zakarya Diouf for his vision in unifying the African cultural arts community, for serving as a mentor and educator of young artists, and for his artistic contributions to the development of African-based performing arts.  Watch a short video about Zakarya Diouf below:

Arabella Martinez for her commitment to building culturally relevant services and resources necessary for strong and vibrant communities, and for her outstanding contributions to Oakland’s Fruitvale district and the creation of the Fruitvale Transit Village.  Watch a short video about Arabella Martinez below:

Insight Prison Project for its dedication to breaking the cycle of incarceration through effective in-prison rehabilitation programming, and for being a model for catalyzing statewide prison reform. Watch a short video about Insight Prison Project below:

 
2004 Winners

Chris Bischof for successfully rejuvenating high school education in East Palo Alto, inspiring college achievement, and encouraging student and family community involvement.  Watch a short video about Chris Bischof below:

Ester Hernández for fostering community and raising social consciousness through her groundbreaking art, for her work with Creativity Explored, and for inspiring and mentoring the next generation of artists.   Watch a short video about Ester Hernández below:
 

Dr. Barbara Staggers for her dedication to improving adolescent healthcare through community- and school-based care, for promoting teen health among communities of color nationally, and for serving as an outstanding role model for youth pursuing careers in healthcare.  Watch a short video about Dr. Barbara Staggers below:

Puente de la Costa Sur for its creative, grassroots efforts to provide education, social justice advocacy, direct services, and community connections enabling immigrant men in rural San Mateo County to improve their living and working conditions.  Watch a short video about Puente de la Costa Sur below:

 
2003 Winners

Sister Trinitas Hernandez for her outstanding work strengthening the low-income immigrant community in East Palo Alto and for her commitment to preserving and improving their homes and sustainability.

Mimi Silbert for her success in developing a model of self-help education and employment opportunities that have transformed generations of former substance abusers and ex-convicts and reintegrated them into the workforce.

Helen Waukazoo for her dedication to building a culturally specific continuum of services for American Indians based on traditional healing concepts, including substance abuse treatment and prevention, job readiness, and leadership training, and for preserving American Indian cultural heritage.

Mother Brown's Dining Room for supporting the poor and homeless in Bayview Hunters Point with critical services, including food, shelter, and education, and for responding to the community's needs by growing from a small food delivery organization based in Mother Brown's kitchen to a multiservice center serving 5,000 meals per month.

2002 Winners

David Lee for his great success in building civic involvement and voter registration within Bay Area Asian communities.

Martha Ryan for providing high-quality healthcare services and a continuum of care for homeless pregnant women in San Francisco.

Carlos Santana for his outstanding work as mentor and role model, and for founding the Milagro Foundation to provide support to community-based, grassroots organizations that work with children and youth.

Bridge Housing Corporation for producing high-quality homes for families of very low, low, and moderate incomes, and for creating sustainable living environments that enhance and uplift the neighborhoods around them.

2001 Winners
Margarget Cruz
Harrison Lim
Kouichoy Saechao
San Francisco Performances

 
2000 Winners
Margarete Connolly
Martin Jacks
Cultural Odyssey's Medea Project
Building Futures With Women and Children

 
1999 Winners
boona cheema
Dorothy Smith Patterson
Asian Perinatal Advocates
La Peña Cultural Center

 
1998 Winners
Ruth Beckford
Marya Grambs

A Home Away from Homelessness
Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation

Prior to 1997, The San Francisco Foundation honored extraordinary accomplishments in public service through the Special Awards Program. Four awards were given annually up until 1996: the John R. May Award, the Robert C. Kirkwood Award, The San Francisco Foundation Award, and the Helen Crocker Russell Award. The Awards Program has been restructured so that the current Community Leadership Awards are given in the same spirit of leadership and recognition as the original leadership awards.

 
John R. May Awards ($5,000)

Made for organizational initiatives in response to a significant contemporary problem.

1975    Catholic Youth Organization
1976    Banana's Inc.
1977    Center for Independent Living, Inc.
1978    On Lok Senior Health Services
1979    Volunteer Centers of Alameda County
1980    Environmental Traveling Companions
1981    Community Boards
1982    Family Violence Project
1983    Coleman Children and Youth Services
1984    Visiting Nurses & Hospice of San Francisco
1985    Jubilee West, Inc.
1986    Eden Express
1987    Bay Area Crisis Nursery, Shanti Project
1988    Battered Women's Association
1989    San Francisco Conservation Corps
1990    Innovative Housing
1991    Larkin Street Youth Center
1992    Berkeley Oakland Support Services
1993    Rubicon Programs, Inc.
1994    Black Adoption Placement & Research Center
1995    Rafael House
1996    The Garden Project

 
Robert C. Kirkwood Award ($1,500)

Made to an individual in recognition of outstanding community service, commitment, and inspired leadership.

1964   Adrien J. Falk
1965   The Coro Foundation
1966   James Day
1967   Rev. Jesse James
1968   Roger W. Heyns
1969   No award given
1970   No award given
1971   Yori Wada
1972   Dorothy Erskine
1973   Ruth Chance
1974   Ruth Asawa
1975   Milton Salkind
1976   Dr. Frank Oppenheimer
1977   Rev. Gene Dawson
1978   Sandi Piccine and Pat Coates
1979   Samuel Stewart
1980   Eunice Dalton
1981   No award given
1982   Cornell Maier
1983   Henry Der
1984   Margaret Douglas and Percy Steele
1985   Esther Gulick, Catherine Kerr, Sylvia McLaughlin
1986   Dr. Mary B. Olney
1987   Joseph W. Valentine
1988   Lillian Rabinowitz
1989   Patricia Costello
1990   Adele Corvin
1991   Feliz Elizalde
1992   Rudolph Nothenberg
1993   Marjorie G. Stern
1994   Dr. Edward A. Chow
1995   Gladys Thacher
1996   Frances Green

The San Francisco Foundation Award ($1,500)
Made to an individual demonstrating exemplary commitment to improving human relations in the Bay Area.

1963   Genevieve Jefferson
1964   Danta Andreotti
1965   Sister Rose Maureen Kelly
1966   Percy Pinkney
1967   J.K. Choy
1968   Grandvel Jackson
1969   Earl Raab
1970   Beth Cobb
1971   Leandro P. Soto
1972   William L. Becker
1973   Lovie McIntosh
1974   Kenneth C.L. Cabb
1975   Florette W. Pomeroy
1976   Sam Yuen
1977   Calvin Anderson
1978   Moses Grossman, MD
1979   Father Donald Burr MacKinnon
1980   Belva Davis
1981   Eunice Jackson
1982   Barbara Cross
1983   Herman J. McKenzie
1984   Carlota Texidor del Portillo
1985   David K. Yamakawa, Jr.
1986   Francisco J. Curry, MD
1987   Eleanor Curry
1988   Rev. Frank Gilbert
1989   Dr. Mervyn Silverman
1990   Dr. Edward Blakely
1991   Lewis H. Butler
1992   Angela Glover Blackwell
1993   Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr.
1994   Jeffrey Mori
1995   Carl Anthony
1996   Sandy Close
1997   Sherry Hirota

Helen Crocker Russell Awards ($5,000)
Made to nonprofit organizations that have improved the quality of life in the Bay Area through programs in the arts, humanities, recreation, environmental protection, or enhancement.

1992   Save Mount Diablo, The Oakland Museum
1993   Bread and Roses, The Greenbelt Alliance
1994   East Bay Center for Performing Arts, Oakland East Bay Symphony
1995   The Bay Institute of San Francisco, Golden Gate National Park Association, Peninsula Open Space Trust
1996   Museum of Children's Art, National Institute of Art & Disabilities