On September 18, SFF hosted our second annual Bay Area Together event, which brought together more than 300 of our donors, grantees, and policy partners to highlight the ways we can all work together to meet this critical moment for Bay Area communities.
The evening included a celebration of SFF’s Koshland Program, which has made lasting change in 35 neighborhoods over a span of more than 40 years. A panel retrospective, featuring Koshland Fellow Mayra Padilla, grandson of Daniel Koshland Bob Friedman, Koshland Program Director Retha Robinson, and SFF CEO Fred Blackwell, reminded us that collaboration and community are the keys to a vibrant, inclusive Bay Area.
The event also featured a special announcement. Fred Blackwell, together with Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, announced the creation of the Stand Together Bay Area Fund. A $10 million effort, the fund helps our immigrant neighbors stay in their homes and feed their families amidst the current environment of detentions and deportations. “It’s because of the San Francisco Foundation that I’m very optimistic that the Bay Area, united, will get through this,” Mayor Lee told attendees.
Finally, the performance by Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir helped fill our hearts with joy and hope, and provided a reminder that together, we can continue to weather the challenges ahead.
We want to thank our event partners for making Bay Area Together 2025 possible: Emery Tahy of Friendship House; Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir; Chris Evans Events + Catering; Got Light for AV, photographer Adriana Oyarzun, videographers WeSparq, Bright rentals, Agape Floral and Kelly May plant rentals, Language Line interpreters, our venue The Pearl, and last but far from least, our event planning team, Inspired Events.
