We mourn the passing of beloved philanthropist and thought partner in The San Francisco Foundation family, Larry Stupski.

Born in Houston, Texas, Larry grew up working-class, earning a football scholarship to Princeton University and later Yale Law School. He was well known in the Bay Area and beyond for his tenacity and his distinguished role in leading The Charles Schwab Corporation for 18 years.

Larry embodied the heart of our mission as an advocate for community investment, original ideas, and passionate leadership. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from his driven spirit, and partner with him and his family to make a real impact.

In 1996, he and his wife, Joyce Stupski, started the Stupski Foundation to focus on transforming our public education system. Their work was based on their shared belief that quality education is the most significant factor in transforming the lives of children and overcoming the barriers of poverty and inequity.

“He was a very philanthropic, generous, and thoughtful man who in his philanthropy focused on the importance of millions of kids who were at large urban schools and how to give them an educational opportunity to achieve what he was able to achieve in his own life,” said CEO Sandra R. Hernández, M.D.

“He never forgot where he came from. He didn’t put his names on buildings. That wasn’t who he was. The wealth he earned in his lifetime he turned into a philanthropic legacy. He was a thought partner and a student throughout his life, and I will miss him deeply.”

Larry has had an immeasurable impact in the region, investing deeply and generously in making the Bay Area the best place it can be. He believed deeply that everyone deserved a fair shot, in systems change – from community clinics to job training, to arts education and community organizing, Larry’s passion to make a greater impact will continue to create meaningful change for years to come.

We extend our condolences to Joyce, Maida, and the entire Stupski family in this time.

Growing up in the heart of Illinois farmland during the Great Depression, Kay Riddell was raised with a love of the land, and values of giving to those in need. When she and her husband Bob Riddell, a theoretical physicist, moved across the country to Berkeley, their joint appreciation of the land only grew.

“Land is the most important thing,” Kay explained, “You can never replace it.” The Riddells’ dedication to caring for the earth and preserving open spaces was a part of their professional and family lives. Bob Riddell led the revitalization of the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens, and the family made camping trips to hike the Sierras nearly every year. Their children grew up with the same love of the outdoors and dutiful, hard-working values of their parents.

“There came a point when we wanted to do more,” Kay explained. Kay and Bob were considering opening a private foundation, when they were introduced to The San Francisco Foundation. The Riddells were drawn to the ease of the Foundation managing the administrative details and the access to the deep expertise in community that the Foundation offered, and decided to open a fund.

Kay and her children, Jim and Cindy who also advise on the fund, worked closely with Shona Carter, their donor relations officer, to understand what Kay wanted to achieve with her giving, and to help her make a meaningful investment. “It’s very rewarding to work closely with Kay and her family,” said Shona, “Her humility coupled with her desire to make a difference within her lifetime is reflected in her children who are equally passionate about environmental programs.”

Shona introduced Kay to Environment Program Officer Francesca Vietor to learn about which groups are doing the best work in environmental education and preservation, and how to make the biggest impact with their dollars. Francesca went in-depth with Kay, providing insights in the field, and coordinating site visits at organizations that matched her passion.

The Riddells raised their children with an appreciation of the land, and over the years their giving has focused on ensuring that all youth get the opportunity to develop a deep connection with the outdoors through parks, trails, and oceans. Today, Kay, her children and grandchildren travel back to the Bay Area from across the country to visit organizations that the family is funding.

“You have to leave the earth a better place than you arrived.” This simple adage is a thread that runs through the Riddell family, and continues on with Kay’s children, and grandchildren.

The San Francisco Foundation knew Homeless Prenatal was diligently pulling together funding and was near a tipping point to finally purchase a permanent home. At the same time, Dr. Gilbert and Mrs. Marie Cleasby, who were passionate about making a difference in the lives of women and children in the Bay Area, were referred to The San Francisco Foundation to begin planning their legacy. Foundation staff saw the match immediately and connected the Cleasbys’ advisor with Homeless Prenatal. The Cleasbys’ gift to Homeless Prenatal Program paid off half of its mortgage and compelled another donor to generously pay the remaining half.

Longstanding partnerships in the community make meaningful gifts like the Cleasbys’ possible. The San Francisco Foundation works hand-in-hand with nonprofits and donors, recognizing where the dial is being moved and connecting resources to fulfill visions of a stronger region, and world.

IMPACT: The Cleasbys’ gift to Homeless Prenatal Program allowed the organization to focus on its mission, helping 3,000 mothers and families access safe, stable housing, quality healthcare, and parenting support each year.

We have identified the following opportunity to support needs in NY:
New York Community Trust has established the New York Critical Needs Fund for Hurricane Sandy and has also vetted a number of local organizations that are serving New Yorkers in need. Learn more on NYCT’s website.

We are exploring opportunities to meet the needs in New Jersey and will post those here when available.

Strategy, Discipline, Impact—that is the title of our latest Annual Investment Report.

Discipline isn’t a word we hear too often in today’s financial lexicon.When I watch the news the conversation remains focused on swift course corrections, bumps in the road, and a “new world” of short-term reactions.

However, this year more than ever, we have witnessed the importance and pay off of investing for the long run. As the stewards of some of the Bay Area’s greatest philanthropic visionaries, we have the responsibility to be disciplined, to think long-term, and avoid panic-driven decisions.

Charts and graphs may not be the best fodder for conversation (let alone a blog), but when we understand the powerful insights they reveal, they get your full attention. Each year at the Annual Investment Forum we look forward to sharing these insights and the strategies of our Investment Committee with our partners and potential partners. We reflect on how the Committee has guided our investments and we continue to see returns that out-pace the average, and continue to make significant impact in the Bay Area.