About the Koshland Program
Each year, the Koshland awards program recognizes up to 12 Bay Area neighborhood leaders of a particular community and makes a five-year $300,000 investment in that neighborhood. As a result of the fellowship, many of the projects created by Koshland Fellows, have become institutions or programs that still support communities to this day. Following the leadership training, the fellows work together to create a comprehensive vision and a plan for what they will achieve in the community. Once the vision is agreed upon by the fellows, they will start investing in the project.
Koshland At-A-Glance
Program Established
1982
Leaders Supported
500
Total Neighborhoods
35
Since 1982, the Daniel E. Koshland Civic Unity Awards Program (Koshland Program) has supported over 500 neighborhood leaders in over 35 communities throughout the Bay Area. The Koshland Program was established to identify community leaders among residents, provide funding resources, and professional development opportunities to equip them with tools to self-advocate and address issues facing their community.
The focus of the program is to support and enhance the work of the ‘unsung heroes (and sheroes)’ in their respective agencies and neighborhoods, as well as contribute to the improvement of targeted community-neighborhoods and the effectiveness of Foundation grantmaking objectives in those neighborhoods.
About Daniel Koshland, Sr.
Upon his death in 1979, Daniel Koshland left the bulk of his estate to the foundation to be administered according to its discretion. Recognized as someone whose idea of philanthropy combined immediacy, practicality, and openness to the whole range of social values and who supported boldness, risk taking, and innovation in philanthropy, the idea behind the Daniel Koshland Program was born. Read about the history of the Koshland Program.
Koshland Neighborhoods
The Koshland Program continues to enhance the quality of life for communities located throughout five Bay Area counties. Learn about the 35 neighborhoods served across 29 Koshland cohorts since 1982.
Neighborhood Spotlights by County
1983-1988
Western Addition
In the first Koshland community – the Western Addition in San Francisco – Awardee Jack Martens, the music teacher at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, used his award money to buy musical instruments for his burgeoning musicians. Martens understood that music brings youngsters together and developed a working band at the school. “The Band from Ben” was born, and a group of students came together to make music, many without prior musical experience, and became a tightly knit, highly polished group of adolescents who played at events across the city. The band continues to make music with his spirit and with the same instruments purchased in 1983.
2009-2014
North Fair Oaks (Unincorporated Redwood City)
Koshland Fellows started the North Fair Oaks Youth Initiative (NFOYI), a youth leadership program for 14- to 22-year-olds in North Fair Oaks, in unincorporated Redwood City. Their programs build new leadership opportunities where youth gain the skills and networks to be community leaders and role models for their peers and the entire community.
1989-1994
Elmhurst
In Oakland, Oral Lee Brown, an Elmhurst resident, had just adopted an entire kindergarten class when she received the Koshland Award. She promised the children that she would fund each child’s college education if and when they graduated from high school. Brown designated the school as her nonprofit of choice, and 17 years later she assisted 89 students with their college education.
2010-2015
San Pablo
San Pablo, a diverse working-class city, faced economic challenges due to the closure of manufacturing plants. The “Request for Proposal” process supported local organizations serving parents, youth, and families. Through this initiative, the cohort funded programs that addressed the community’s specific needs, providing essential resources and support to individuals and families. By fostering collaboration and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, the cohort contributed to the resilience and vitality of the San Pablo community.
2019-2022
Canal
The Canal neighborhood is a diverse and multicultural community that has experienced significant demographic changes over the years. The influx of immigrants and low-income families has brought new energy and vitality to the neighborhood, while also presenting challenges related to language barriers, economic disparities, and cultural integration. Koshland Fellows amplified the voices of community leaders and empowered residents to take action on issues affecting their neighborhood. Through a two-year pilot program, the cohort offered leadership training and workshops, equipping residents with the skills and knowledge to engage in community campaigns and initiatives. By focusing on intergenerational experiences and incorporating technology, environmental justice, arts, and community service projects, the cohort helped to build power within the Canal community and create a more equitable and sustainable neighborhood for all.
Koshland Fellows
The Koshland Fellow is actively engaged in solving community problems, a proven bridge builder in their community, willing to take risks and try new approaches for community wellbeing. They are also committed to community planning and teamwork. To be a Koshland fellow, you must live or work in the selected neighborhood and must commit to a five-year fellowship that includes opportunities and trainings in the following areas:
Leadership Development
The Fellows will participate in a six-month leadership training program focused on building skills for more effective communication, conflict resolution across diverse communities, promoting active citizenship, political empowerment, and strengthening mediation and facilitation skills.
Grantmaking
In the first year, each Fellow can choose an organization in their community to receive a $5,000 grant. In years 2-4 the fellows collectively collaborate on allocating grant resources.
Fellowship Project
Collaborate with cohort members to research, vision and implement a neighborhood project to support community needs.
Fundraising
With support from the San Francisco Foundation, leaders work with local government, foundations, corporations and individuals to raise additional funds to augment the fellowship program.
Professional Development
Koshland Fellows can receive support from Koshland staff to obtain resources for professional training and consultant assistance.
Koshland Alumni
Following the conclusion of the five years, Fellows will have the opportunity to continue collaboration with their cohort, as well as Koshland staff, and Alumni from other neighborhoods to build upon the work of cohort and individual organizations.
Meet Our Current Koshland Fellows
2025-2030: Antioch & Pittsburg (East Contra Costa County)
2022-2027: North Central San Mateo
Koshland Committee
The Koshland Committee is an advisory committee of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Comprised of established community leaders, former foundation fellows and Koshland family members, the committee’s role is to ensure that the Koshland Program remains true to its core values, mission and program delivery.
- Rev. Miguel Bustos, SFF Trustee, and Manager for Racial Reconciliation and Justice, The Episcopal Church
- Cari Pang Chen, Director of Innovation, Strategy, & Planning, The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program
- Teresa Goines, Founder & President, Old Skool Cafe
- Cynthia Chavez, Founding Executive Director (former), LeaderSpring, Leadership Coach, Strategic Planning and Racial Equity Consultant
- Dwayne Marsh, President and CEO, Northern California Grantmakers
- Jordan Simmons, Artistic Director, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts
- Sachi Yoshii, Director of Collective Impact, Amalgamated Foundation
Phyllis Koshland Friedman – Retha Smith Robinson Community Leadership Award
The Phyllis Koshland Friedman – Retha Smith Robinson Community Leadership Award annually supports an inspiring, young woman of color under 40 working in the Bay Area to advance community-driven solutions to the most pressing issues.
The Phyllis Koshland Friedman – Retha Smith Robinson Community Leadership Award honors the 30-year philanthropic and personal partnership between the late Phyllis Koshland Friedman and Retha Smith Robinson. This $20,000 annual award recognizes a community leader under 40 years of age. Each year, the winners are chosen from a different county in the Bay Area.
Phyllis, the youngest daughter of Daniel E. Koshland Sr., co-founder of the San Francisco Foundation, shared her father’s belief in the larger San Francisco community and the talents and aspirations of all people, especially those too often disregarded and disrespected. Phyllis and Retha shared a love of community and all people, an infectious humor that leavened as it unleashed the full promise of humanity, and a zealous desire to promote the well-being and empowerment of others — in both individual and systemic ways. Their partnership was defined by their generosity, empathy, passion for living, and commitment to social justice. May the spirit of their unique philanthropic partnership light the way for women leaders of color for decades in the future.
Nominations for the Phyllis Koshland Friedman — Retha Smith Robinson Community Leadership Award are currently closed and will open in the Fall 2025.