Ways to Give

At The San Francisco Foundation, philanthropy is dynamic and evolving — reflecting the changing needs of our communities and the vision of people who, in partnership with us, are building their own philanthropic traditions, generation after generation.

Give now by creating a fund

We offer a broad spectrum of charitable giving vehicles — powerful philanthropic tools for individuals, families, or businesses. Our donors have the flexibility to open and add to their funds with donations of cash, securities, real estate, or life insurance. Contact us directly, or ask your estate, financial or tax planning advisor to get in touch with The San Francisco Foundation. 

See the Choose Your Philanthropic Vehicle section (below) to learn more about fund opportunities.

Give later by joining our Legacy Society

Estate gifts are key to the work and mission of The San Francisco Foundation. Legacy Society members join the Foundation family and enjoy the same benefits as our other donors.  Information about Endowed Funds and Planned Gifts is included below. To learn more, please visit our Legacy Society page.

• Charitable Remainder Trusts, from which the donor or the donor's designee will receive income for life, allow assets to be committed now and received by the Foundation at a specified future date, or upon the donor's death.

• Bequests provide a vehicle to establish a philanthropic legacy. These deferred gifts can create a fund at The San Francisco Foundation from which annual support can be directed to one or more charitable organizations, or to an issue of particular importance to the donor, in perpetuity.

Choose Your Philanthropic Vehicle

Donors can distribute their money while maintaining their options. They select the type of fund that meets their charitable objectives and choose how involved they want to be in making grants.

• Donor Advised Funds  For individuals and families seeking active involvement in philanthropy, Donor Advised Funds create a working partnership with the Foundation. As a donor, you are able to chart the course of your giving according to your own principles and charitable interests by making specific recommendations for grants to nonprofit organizations. You may establish the fund in your own or your family's name; or you may select a different name — e.g., "The Golden Gate Fund" — to protect your confidentiality. Along with maximizing your tax benefits, you will be free from the details of financial management, reporting, and other paperwork — you focus only on the beneficial use of your donations. Donor Advised Funds harness powerful philanthropy in a simple manner. Once you have established a fund, you can send us your gift-giving recommendations in writing, via fax, or through our website. Grant recommendations from donors provide support to a wide range of nonprofit organizations.

• Permanent Endowed Funds  Donors may choose to create funds that will express their individual or family's charitable interests in perpetuity. These funds direct annual support to one or more specifically named charitable organizations, or to an issue that the donor selects (such as at-risk children, the environment, or women's health). Endowed funds can be named by the donor to reflect a family name or charitable interest, or to honor a family member, friend, or colleague; they can also be given another name that protects the donor's anonymity. Endowed funds can be created during a donor's lifetime, or by testamentary gift.

• Supporting Organizations  Supporting organizations are charitable foundations established in partnership with The San Francisco Foundation.  They are not subject to the private foundation rules and regulations and provide greater income tax benefits than private foundations.  In addition, the Foundation takes responsibility for the administrative and filing responsibilities for the supporting organization.

• The Impact Fund  Join with us to leverage the power of giving together with the Impact Fund, a mutual fund of effective philanthropy to make your dollars make a difference.  This fund will launch in the Fall of 2008.  Please visit the Impact Fund page for more information.
  

For assistance in creating the right vehicle for your giving, please contact our Philanthropic Services professionals at 415.733.8500.