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.

Create 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.

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.

• 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.

• Agency Endowments
  Agency Endowments are funds established by nonprofit organizations at The San Francisco Foundation.  They enable nonprofit organizations to take advantage of the investment platform and gift processing services provided by the Foundation.

• 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.
• Planned Gifts
  Vehicles such as 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 also provide a vehicle to establish a philanthropic legacy. These deferred gifts can create an endowed 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.
• Impact Funds
  The San Francisco Foundation creates targeted funds for focused grantmaking. These funds are designed to respond to the vibrant and quickly changing landscape of the Bay Area's nonprofit community.
• Fund for Artists
  Forging a new collaborative effort between four Bay Area community foundations and the Irvine, Hewlett, and Ford Foundations, the Fund for Artists supports the endeavors of individual artists through commissions, artists' residencies, awards, advocacy, and promotional and networking support. The San Francisco Foundation strongly believes in the importance and value of our local artists and their work, and we are dedicated to giving a strong voice to artists within our community. For more information on the new works commissioned by the Fund, please visit the Arts & Culture page in our Program section.
• Community Action Fund
  Donors who would like to put their charitable contributions to work effectively and immediately may want to support the Foundation's Community Action Fund. Gifts to this Fund will be used to address urgent community needs, and are therefore invested as grants to local organizations within one year. Foundation staff are pleased to work with donors who wish to see their contributions focused on a specific issue or geographic area.

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