SFF Highlights
$49.5 M
in equity-centered, programmatic grants to 424 community organizations
$158 M
in grants from SFF donor-advised funds to 2763 organizations
$2 M
disbursed through low-interest loans and investments to support affordable housing, sustainable communities, and small businesses
Top 20%
10-year financial returns among endowments and foundations
$129.5 M
in housing-related grants since 2019
$29.5 M
invested by partners in our collaborative efforts
312
partners in our collaborative efforts
“The antidotes to fear and despair are community and action. Lean into the Bay Area community that fuels us, and take action that shows your love for each other. That is at the root of who we are.”
Dear Friends,
Across the Bay Area and beyond, we face challenges that test our values and our resolve. Yet, we’ve seen what’s possible when people come together with purpose. From grassroots organizers to generous donors, we are building a future rooted in equity, inclusion, and hope.
At the San Francisco Foundation, we are proud to stand with our donors and partners as we invest in solutions that protect civil liberties, expand opportunity, and strengthen democracy.
Philanthropy has always been a force for transformation. As a community foundation, we bring people together for action. This moment in particular calls on all of us to stand strong in our values. I am proud that our Board has allocated an additional $15 million to help our community sustain itself and lead.
Because generous donors have trusted SFF for many years, they’ve built an endowment that allows us to support our community quickly and strategically.
Our donor community supports a wide range of causes – from the arts to literacy, to immigrant rights, the environment, and housing – in the Bay Area and beyond. Whether through immediate impact or long-term legacy giving, their generosity is shaping a more just and inclusive region.
The antidotes to fear and despair are community and action. Lean into the Bay Area community that fuels us, and take action that shows your love for each other. That is at the root of who we are.
The problems we face today are our generation’s moment. Together we can meet it and forge a future where everyone belongs.
With gratitude,
Fred Blackwell
Chief Executive Officer
San Francisco Foundation
Our Numbers
FY25 Snapshot
Total Assets
$1.9 B
Total Grants
$216 M
Total Contributions & Bequests
$227 M
Total Assets by Funds
$1,042.3 M
Endowment
$657.4 M
Donor Advised Funds
$199.9 M
Other*
* Projects: $39.7M, Agency Funds: $72.1M, Deferred Trusts: $24.9M, Other: $83.2M
Our Grantmaking
$216 M
Total grants distributed in FY25
3209
Nonprofit organizations supported in FY25
$3.8 B
In grants distributed since 1948
BRIDGE Housing residents tend to community garden.
Program Grants
Our programmatic grantmaking supports organizations building economic security, vibrant communities, and community power in the Bay Area.
Number of Grants Serving Each Bay Area County
$49.5 M
in program grants
80 %
of program grants to orgs headquartered in the five-county Bay Area
81 %
of executive directors identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color**
** Among grantees with race/ethnicity data submitted, FY25
Economic Security
All Bay Area residents should be able to make a good living and build long-term financial well-being for their families and communities. We support nonprofits that advocate for just laws and practices, support worker power, and build community wealth.
Leveling the Playing Field: SF Blocks Tools That Inflate Rents
SFF grantee Local Progress and members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors successfully banned the use of automatic rent-fixing software. The ban effectively levels the playing field to ensure that rental prices aren’t solely determined by potentially exploitative software designed to maximize landlord profits. This has paved the way for nine other cities nationwide to pass legislation.
Photo caption: Local Progress on an affordable housing site visit with local elected officials working rental price-fixing legislation and implementation.
$1M Investment Becomes $3.27M in Loans, Boosting Bay Area Small Businesses
Pacific Community Ventures has turned a $1 million investment from SFF into $3.27 million in loans to Bay Area small businesses, tripling its reach and fueling economic opportunity and lasting community impact. In 2024, these loans have helped a diverse group of local entrepreneurs—many of whom are people of color—maintain critical public health infrastructure, expand culturally-rooted businesses, create new jobs, and transform pop-up successes into long-term community presence.
Photo caption: Bulbul Gupta with Reem California team. Reems received a loan from Pacific Community Ventures, a BACIF borrower.
$3 Million in Juvenile Justice Debt Wiped Out for 15,000 California Families
California’s juvenile justice system is still riddled with unjust fines and fees that saddle kids and their families with crushing debt. With SFF’s support, the Debt Free Justice California coalition successfully advocated to alleviate this burden for families of incarcerated youth across California. With the passage of CA Assembly Bill 1186, nearly 15,000 formerly incarcerated youth and their families will have about $3 million of debt forgiven, removing a critical barrier to a financially stable future.
Debt Free Justice California coalition and community-based organizations who testified in support of the Families over Fees measure.
From City Hall to Victory: Workers Reclaim $108,000 in Wage Theft Case
SFF grantee Chinese Progressive Association helped 77 workers recover $108,000 in stolen wages. Workers led the charge, rallying at City Hall, sharing their stories, and gaining media coverage and support from City Supervisors. Their courageous collective action prompted official intervention and was a victory for labor justice in the Bay Area.
Noodle factory worker, Xiufeng celebrates her worker victory at San Francisco City Hall
Empowering Parents: Lissete Frausto Trains 500 Advocates for Bay Area Families
Local parent Lissete Frausto trains parents to advocate for policies that improve the lives of Bay Area families. The 2024 recipient of SFF’s Phyllis Koshland Friedman—Retha Smith Robinson Community Leadership Award, Lissete is creating a movement for change and equipping parents with the tools to influence legislation like AB 753, which expands access to childcare and early learning.
Parent organizer Lissete Frausto at Kidango’s Cesar Chavez Early Learning Center in San Jose, March 2025.
Donor Story – Guaranteed Income Donation
A SFF donor invested $1 million in UpTogether’s Oakland Guaranteed Income pilot—putting cash directly in the hands of East Oakland families. The result: basic needs met, stress reduced, and stability built. “The money has changed our lives,” one recipient said. SFF surfaced this opportunity and worked closely with the donor to move it forward.
Photo caption: Tiffany (pictured with her children) is an Oakland resident, UpTogether member, educator, widow, and mother of five.
Rooted in Vibrant Communities
Being rooted in vibrant communities means belonging to something greater than oneself. These spaces foster connection, trust, and shared purpose. Neighbors support each other, celebrate culture, and collaborate for change. Vibrant communities spark resilience and joy, nurturing the conditions for equity and possibility to thrive.
Safeguarding East Palo Alto’s Future Through Long-Term Affordable Housing
A SFF loan is helping East Palo Alto families stay housed by supporting long-term affordability. EPACANDO is purchasing and renovating single-family homes, placing the land in a trust, selling the homes below market value to current residents, and adding ADUs to boost housing supply and rental income. This approach promotes stability and protects the community’s diverse future.
Photo caption: EPACANDO brought together East Palo Alto placekeepers to inform them of their newest ground-up housing coop project.
65,000 Alameda County Renters Gain Legal Protections Against Unjust Evictions
Through organizing and policy advocacy, SFF grantee My Eden Voice helped secure long-overdue tenant protections in unincorporated Alameda County. The new just-cause ordinance means landlords must provide a legally recognized reason to evict a tenant. The policy protects over 65,000 renters, including 10,000 rent-burdened individuals, who are most vulnerable to displacement. My Eden Voice helped ensure community voices helped shape the final policy.
Photo caption: Residents from Eden Renters United rally to call for tenant protections in unincorporated Alameda County.
From Clean Streets to Connected Neighbors: Walking Ambassadors Lead East Oakland Renewal
Rise East’s Walking Ambassadors program revitalizes East Oakland by cultivating genuine connections, fostering a sense of belonging, and empowering residents to be part of their neighborhood’s transformation. The program’s nearly 100 volunteers do street-level outreach, improve cleanliness and safety, and address issues like illegal dumping and access to vital resources.
Black Cultural Zone’s safety ambassadors walk the Hegenberger and International Blvd. commercial corridor every Friday and Saturday.
New Beginnings: Faith Community Steps Up to Prevent Homelessness for Foster Youth
New housing from St. James African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church will support youth aging out of foster care who are at high risk of becoming unhoused. St. James is a part of SFF’s FAITHS program and will pair this stable housing with wraparound services. Under Measure T, which passed with help from SFF grantee Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County, organizations like St. James can build housing these young people need.
Rev. Dr. Marilyn Bussey and Rev. Penny Nixon in front of the site of the new development, New Beginnings
Swan’s Market Creates a Vibrant Hub in Old Oakland
With support from SFF grantee East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation, Swan’s Market has revitalized its Old Oakland community by creating a vibrant hub. This mixed-use development with 19 affordable housing apartments and 20 co-housing condos alongside retail and office space for local businesses and nonprofits is a popular gathering spot. Small businesses like Huang Cheng Potsticker and Las Guerreras have cemented the area as the “East Bay’s most international food district.”
Swan’s Market is a bustling mixed-use development and a vibrant hub that attracts people to gather and enjoy international cuisine in Old Oakland.
From Vision to Vitality: Hospitality House Creates Lasting Cultural Space for Community
With help from an SFF loan, Hospitality House is investing in a permanent space for its Community Arts Program. The 6,800-square-foot building will anchor long-term creative and cultural programming that uplifts the Tenderloin community and preserves the space as a permanent arts and cultural asset that builds healthier and stronger communities, facilitates social change, and promotes civic engagement.
Hospitality House’s support provides local artists the space to create as part of the Community Arts Program.
SFF Honors Carolyn Johnson for Bold Leadership in Preserving Black Culture
As a driving force behind Black Cultural Zone, Carolyn Johnson has transformed public spaces in East Oakland into vibrant community hubs, hosting events such as outdoor roller skating, concerts, movies, and a market showcasing local artisans. Carolyn’s efforts to preserve and uplift the Black community are a testament to her unwavering dedication to retaining community culture and reinvesting in the local economy.
Carolyn Johnson, Executive Director of Black Cultural Zone and 2025 winner of SFF’s Boldness Community Leadership Award
Reshaping Futures: Direct Aid Pilot Supports HOPE SF Families in Children’s Earliest Years
The Place to Prosper pilot invests in the earliest years of life, when support has the greatest long-term impact. With $700 a month in direct aid to 75 HOPE SF families raising young children, the program reduces financial stress and improves children’s developmental outcomes. Place to Prosper centers racial equity and community voice in its design and reshapes the future for children in communities that have long been excluded from opportunity.
Photo caption: Place to Prosper participants gather for HOPE SF’s annual community celebration.
Engaged in Civic Life
Civic engagement is the foundation of a thriving democracy. It empowers people to shape policies, challenge injustice, and build solutions together. When individuals vote, organize, and advocate, they drive change. In a civically engaged society, diverse voices lead, accountability grows, and the future is shaped by collective action.
Community Power Wins: Measure G Secures Millions for Housing Stability
In November 2024, San Francisco voters passed Measure G, securing $8.25 million in rental subsidies for residents with low incomes. SFF grantees Chinatown Community Development Center, Mission Economic Development Agency, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation, SF Without Walls, and Council of Community Housing Organizations, and other housing justice organizations led the effort to pass the measure.
Photo caption: Community advocates in the Outer Richmond neighborhood in San Francisco while sharing “Yes on G” campaign materials with voters.
From Barriers to Ballots: AAPI Force Stands for Civic Empowerment
Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Force reached more than 19,000 AAPI voters during the 2024 general election on critical issues like housing and workers’ rights. Contacted voters turned out an impressive 81%, outpacing the general electorate. This targeted, culturally competent outreach helped ensure every voice is heard, regardless of the language spoken at home.
Photo caption: Volunteers engage voters through door-to-door and phone voter outreach programs that connect voting with important local issues.
Bay Rising Shapes the Future of Local Politics
In its inaugural year, SFF grantee Bay Rising’s Building the Bench program lifted up a new generation of diverse leaders ready to shape local politics and push for racial and economic justice. The five full-time, one-year campaign management fellows reached an estimated 120,000 voters, increasing the capacity of their organizations to connect with the community.
Christine Rowland, campaign fellow at SF Rising, participates in a protest at the Airbnb headquarters in San Francisco.
Farmworker-Led Movement Wins Safe Drinking Water for Pescadero School
For two decades, the students at Pescadero Middle/High School did not have safe drinking water. With support from SFF grantee Puente de la Costa Sur, local leaders created Del Campo al Cambio, a new grassroots farmworkers organizing group in unincorporated South Coast communities. Together, they led the successful campaign to bring this basic resource to students.
Pescadero community members advocate for safe drinking water at Pescadero Middle High School
SFF honors Eddy Zheng for Transforming Lives: From Confinement to Empowerment
From a prison cell to a national platform, Eddy Zheng is rewriting the story for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) communities impacted by incarceration. As the head of the New Breath Foundation, Eddy champions his community through policy advocacy and culturally relevant resources—lighting a path from confinement to empowerment and transformation.
Eddy Zheng, President & Founder, New Breath Foundation, and 2025 inaugural winner of SFF’s Joe Brooks Community Leadership Award.
Donor Story – Answering the Call for a Stronger Democracy
At a time when democratic values face unprecedented challenges, SFF donor Steve Cohen has consistently answered the call. His sustained giving to organizations such as Protect Democracy and Trusted Election Fund reflects a deep conviction that civic engagement is the cornerstone of a just and equitable society.
SFF Donor Steve Cohen
Canal Alliance Helps Advance Park and Bridge Project, Connecting Residents to Jobs and Schools
The transformation of a former boatyard into a community park and bridge addresses safety, access, equity, and climate resilience for San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood. As a convener and facilitator, SFF grantee Canal Alliance united residents, public agencies, and partners to support the city’s acquisition of a 1.5-acre property, the critical first milestone. When fully realized, the project will expand access to jobs, schools, and transit, strengthen emergency preparedness, and provide long-overdue green space for the community.
Photo caption: Resident leaders, trained by Canal Alliance, guide neighbors through bridge improvement plans as part of a community-led process.
Powerful Collaboration
Collaboration is central to achieving lasting, systemic change. We bring together funders, donors, government agencies, and nonprofits to pool resources, share expertise, and co-create large-scale, long-term solutions. These collaboratives are vehicles for community power. They ensure that those most impacted by systemic inequities are at the table actively shaping the agenda. By aligning across sectors and centering community voices, we’re building the infrastructure for durable change and a Bay Area where everyone can thrive.
A Powerful Community of Donors
Number of Donor-Advised Grants Serving Each Bay Area County
51 %
of donor advised fund grants went to organizations headquartered in the Bay Area
$158 M
in donor advised funds grants
26 %
donor advised fund payout rate
The payout rate, as calculated by the IRS, is the amount distributed collectively by our donor advised funds.
Donor Impact Stories
Donors Helps Power Innovation in Public Schools
Every day, tens of thousands of San Francisco students and families rely on public schools to unlock opportunity—but state funding alone isn’t enough. That’s why Sylvia Mei-ling Yee, a former teacher and foundation executive, supports Spark SF Public Schools. Her generosity helps Spark pilot new ideas, scale proven programs, and ensure every student has a chance to thrive.
Donors Fuel 1,000+ Artists’ Success
Passionate supporters of the arts, Vinitha and David Watson saw firsthand how often artists were shut out of the funding, access, and education they need. Leveraging their background as entrepreneurs, they founded and fund Zoo Labs, which equips artists—especially those from marginalized communities—with training, studios, networks, and funding opportunities. With more than 1000 artists served, most from the Bay Area, Zoo Labs helps culture creators have the infrastructure they need to be leaders in business, culture, and civic life.
Donor-Advised Funds Fuel Community-Led Change
One SFF donor is shifting decision-making power by gifting donor-advised funds to three women of color she deeply respects. “Women of color have lived experience that I just don’t have as a wealthy, white woman,” she explains. “These women understand their communities’ needs firsthand.” This approach amplifies the voices of Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color and ensures that decisions are made by those positioned to direct resources for the greatest impact.
A Donor’s Bold Move to Keep Arts Alive
Inspired by conversations at our Bay Area Giving Summit, a SFF donor launched a $250,000 matching grant to support Bay Area arts organizations facing federal funding cuts. They inspired the community to rally—and when that goal was met, the donor increased the match to $400K. This extraordinary generosity is helping local arts groups retain staff, keep their doors open, and continue enriching our region during a challenging time.
Supporting SFF Donors
Individuals and families choose San Francisco Foundation to support charitable giving that aligns with their values and their interests. We are proud to support more than 500 funds.
Personalized Support
Every fund holder has access to a philanthropic advisor who offers personalized giving recommendations aligned with your interests and values. SFF’s expert staff curate opportunities for engagement, learning, and action around the issues that each donor cares about most.
Connection
SFF builds a community of individuals, families, grassroots leaders, elected officials, and businesses who all believe in investing in the Bay Area.
The Giving Summit
More than 100 philanthropists came together for our second Bay Area Giving Summit in May. Attendees shared meaningful conversations, fresh insights, and new ways to collaborate. “It was incredible to connect with others who are deeply passionate about making a difference,” a participant said. “The conversations were powerful, and the sense of purpose was contagious.” One donor left so inspired that they hosted a gathering at their home, raising more than $100,000 to support immigrants and refugees.
Meeting the Moment
At SFF, we help donors respond to the Bay Area’s most urgent needs with clarity and confidence by leveraging our deep regional expertise and trusted relationships. Our curated give guides offer tailored giving recommendations, making it easier to take meaningful action on the issues that matter most.
An Evening with Marshall Ganz
Following the November 2024 election, over 100 people came together to hear from legendary organizer Marshall Ganz and local changemaker Tamisha Torres-Walker, Antioch City Council member. Drawing from decades of experience—from the Civil Rights movement to grassroots campaigns—they reminded us that real change begins with relationships, shared stories, and institutions that reflect and serve the people.
“I’ve really appreciated the conversations I’ve had with other donors and learning about new organizations through these connections. It’s reassuring to see how donors are thinking about tackling so many complex issues in our community locally and beyond the Bay Area.”
Ipek Burnett
“SFF’s expertise, knowledge of local needs, and extensive vetting of the organizations best equipped to address them made it a vital resource. SFF’s donor advisor model and the ability to collaborate with other donors allowed us to impactfully increase our donating power far beyond what we could do on our own.”
Tina Essey Mikkelsen
Professional Advisors
As a resource for philanthropists in the Bay Area, we often team up with professional advisors, including estate planning attorneys, CPAs, financial planners, and wealth managers.
We provide two networks for advisors at different stages in their careers. Our Professional Advisors Council is comprised of experienced experts who offer valuable insights and guidance to strengthen our gift planning efforts and our advisor outreach activities. Our Emerging Advisors Network provides a forum for early-career professionals to explore how philanthropy can be part of their practices.
Professional Advisor Profile
Born and raised in the Bay Area, estate planning attorney Philip Sousa joined SFF’s Professional Advisors Council because of his belief in the foundation’s commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in the region. Over the years, Philip has seen the impact of the region’s rising income inequality and housing crisis. Currently a co-chair of the Council, Philip shared, “The foundation, with its wealth of knowledge and expertise in philanthropy in the Bay Area, is a valuable tool for my clients and helps them make informed and effective charitable giving decisions.”
Author Nathan Chappell inspired the 160+ advisors gathered for our Professional Advisors Luncheon to confront ‘the generosity crisis’ and build meaningful connections in challenging times.
Leaders in the Field
As we look ahead, we’re advancing innovative models that reimagine philanthropy – making it more responsive, inclusive, and transformative for generations to come.
Turning Commitment into Action: $15 Million for Bay Area Impact
In the face of unprecedented challenges, SFF committed an additional $15 million over the next two years to strengthen Bay Area communities and the organizations that serve them. This bold investment—drawn from our endowment and reserves—ensures our grantee partners have the resources to fight for equity, protect essential services, and respond to urgent challenges with resilience and determination.
Photo caption: Former SFF Board of Trustees Chair Bob Friedman helped lead the charge on securing $15 million in additional funding.
Investing in Equity: SFF Stands with SF Pride Amid National Rollback
While many corporations pulled support for SF Pride this year in the wake of federal attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, SFF provided a grant to the event and a contingent of staff, friends, and family marched in the parade.
Photo caption: SFF staff, families and friends marched in the 2025 San Francisco Pride Parade.
SFF Leaders Call on Philanthropy to Invest in Grassroots Power for a Multiracial Democracy
Judith Bell, SFF Chief Impact Officer and Amado Uno of Million Voters Project urged philanthropy to invest in long-term grassroots power-building in California in “Trusting Community Organizers to Build a Multiracial Democracy” an op-ed published by Candid. Their call emphasized the need for sustained support of community-led movements that advance equity, justice, and civic engagement across California and beyond.
Equity at Work Council Puts Power in the Hands of Those Most Impacted
ReWork the Bay’s Equity at Work Council upends the traditional philanthropic model. Grantee leaders on the Council drive key decisions, shape programming, and approve grants. They ensure those most impacted are guiding strategy and resources, reflecting a deep commitment to equity, shared power, and community-led change.
ReWork the Bay’s Equity at Work Council gathers to advise the initiative on a range of issues.
Standing Strong for Black Communities: SFF Defends Dream Keeper Initiative
San Francisco Foundation galvanized diverse stakeholders in support of San Francisco’s Black communities harmed by systemic racism when the City’s Dream Keeper Initiative was under scrutiny. SFF reaffirmed its commitment to investing in Black brilliance and resilience and in building a more equitable future.
Volunteers serve food at All My Usos annual Family Day BBQ at Gilman Park in San Francisco on Aug. 17, 2024. All My Usos was a recipient of Dream Keeper Initiative funds.
SFF Leads Coalition to Safeguard $300B in Charitable Assets Amid OpenAI Conversion
The San Francisco Foundation co-led a powerful coalition of philanthropic and nonprofit institutions to protect the integrity of $300 billion in charitable assets at risk in OpenAI’s proposed for-profit conversion.
“It is imperative that we ensure these resources remain dedicated to the public good, especially in communities most vulnerable to the systemic inequities and harms associated with AI.” – SFF CEO Fred Blackwell
San Francisco Foundation helps Pioneer AI-Supported Philanthropy with Google’s $2M Support for Bay Area Nonprofits
The San Francisco Foundation, in partnership with Project Evident, is stewarding a $2 million investment from Google to help Bay Area nonprofits build cutting-edge artificial intelligence capabilities. The initiative supports organizations – focused on worker power and housing – in adopting innovative tools to enhance efficiency, deepen impact, and better serve communities across the region.
Attendees collaborate on how to build artificial intelligence tools that better serve communities across the Bay Area.
Partnering for Change: Bold Initiative to Address San Francisco’s Homelessness Crisis
The San Francisco Foundation is proud to steward the Breaking the Cycle Fund, a bold public-private partnership with the San Francisco Mayor’s Office to tackle the city’s behavioral health and homelessness crisis. With trusted partners like the Housing Accelerator Fund and Tipping Point Community, the initiative will expand access to shelter, housing, and treatment while driving systemic reform.
Photo caption: Mayor Daniel Lurie announces launch of the Breaking the Cycle Fund
Board and Staff
of SFF staff who identify as people of color
of SFF Board of Trustees who identify as people of color
Note: Respondents were invited to select all races/ethnicities that applied. Percentages sum to greater than 100%. Multiracial or Multi-ethnic includes individuals who selected Multiracial or Multi-ethnic and individuals who selected two or more races/ethnicities.
SFF staff Mai Dembowski, Brandon Johns, Retha Robinson, Karely Ordaz Salto and Fred Blackwell pose with former SFF board chair Bob Friedman at a donor salon for the Village SF Wellness center at Friendship House.
The Marketing and Communications team presented at The Communications Network’s annual ComNet conference in Kansas City, MO.
The Finance team rolled up their sleeves and participated in a volunteer day at the Bay Area Rescue Mission.
Philanthropy and Gift Planning Team outing to Angel Island.
SFF staff on walking tour of San Francisco’s historic Chinatown, guided by SFF grantee Chinese Progressive Association.