2025 didn’t just ask for our attention—it demanded our courage.
It was a year that tested each and every one of us. We faced a volatile political climate, threats to our civil liberties, and uncertainty around every corner. But if there is one thing I learned this year, it’s that the antidote to fear isn’t silence. The antidote is community and action.
Looking back on these past 12 months, I don’t just see the challenges. I see a community that refused to back down. I see our staff, our partners, and our donors leaning into each other, and transforming fear into organized, strategic power.
Holding Strong to Our Values
We didn’t just talk about doubling down this year; we went into action. Because of the trust and generosity of our donors, we were able to move fast to meet the unprecedented needs in our community:
- In April, our Board of Trustees took a bold step by allocating an additional $15 million from our endowment to help our community not just survive, but lead.
- In June, we sponsored and marched at SF Pride when so many corporations backed out.
- In September, we launched the $10 million Stand Together Bay Area Fund to help our immigrant neighbors stay in their homes and feed their families.
- With our donors, we granted emergency support to arts organizations, food banks, and KQED when they experienced sudden cuts or freezes to federal funding.
And that’s just a small fraction of all that we did this year. Check out our 2025 Annual Report to see the many other ways that we stepped up.
Making More Possible
To make a lasting difference in this region, we need to understand that we’re now in a new era. To be more effective—to do more good—we need to change how we work. We need to be more sustainable, scalable, and focused on deep community connections.
Our commitment to racial equity and social justice remains the core of everything we do. We will continue to support our community partners, steward our donors’ generosity, and fight for a Bay Area where everyone can thrive.
I am ending 2025 with a profound sense of gratitude. To the donors who trusted us, the partners who fought alongside us, and the staff and community who worked tirelessly: thank you.
The problems we face are my generation’s moment. If this year taught me anything, it’s that courage is contagious. When we stand together—rooted in love and equity—we don’t just weather the storm: We change the forecast.
