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.

This funding strategy had a powerful three-fold effect. Evaluations show that Foundation support allowed critical nonprofits to keep their doors open, to build financial stability by leveraging Foundation grants to secure further funding, and to spawn advocacy that compelled the State to contribute an additional $10 million to foreclosure relief and recovery.

IMPACT: Our recession recovery investment strategy ensured the long-term sustainability of 53 critical nonprofits, helping prevent hunger, improve health, and create new jobs to support more Bay Area residents on their path back to stability.

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.

IMPACT: The long-term investment strategy of the Foundation produced a ten-year average return of 7.4 percent, outpacing peers and corporate sector investors.

Water. Ubiquitous for so many of us. We don’t think twice about it until it’s not there. Bay Area residents are fortunate to receive the majority of our drinking water from the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. A proposition to shut down the dam signaled far-reaching implications and detrimental effects for all Bay Area residents, especially those most vulnerable. Staggering costs anticipated in closing the dam and developing alternative sources of water would have forced redirecting millions of dollars in funding from essential health and human services.

The San Francisco Foundation felt compelled to take a position, and joined a coalition of organizations and government in opposing the proposition. Our $100,000 grant to Save Hetch Hetchy was instrumental in the No campaign. Our lead investment meant the campaign was able to carry out a winning strategy that targeted ethnic media and engaged constituents of color, a move that ultimately tipped the scales in November. Voters struck down the measure by a large margin of 76.9%, preserving this source of pristine water and clean energy, protecting city funding of critical services.

IMPACT: The $100,000 investment to Save Hetch Hetchy opened a diverse civic dialogue about the issue. The proposition was defeated, thereby protecting city and county funding for critical services.

This year we mark the 30th anniversary of the Koshland Program, and we continue the tradition of celebrating bold risk-takers dedicated to bringing a vision of better community to life.

IMPACT : Over the last 30 years, the Koshland Program has lifted up hundreds of grassroots leaders, creating sustainable, community-driven projects in 24 Bay Area neighborhoods.

Impact: Tens of thousands of meals served and families sheltered during the depths of the recession and recovery.

Read more about our Safety Net grantmaking.

Impact: More than 60 multicultural change-makers leading the way in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.

Learn more about our Multicultural Fellowship Program.

Impact: From the worst performing school in the state to the graduation rate of 87%.

Learn more about our work supporting full service community schools.