We want to be clear about where we are hitting the mark and where we are missing it.
We regularly collect data and analyze our grantmaking portfolio to hold ourselves accountable to our values and aspirations. We disaggregate the information by race/ethnicity, geography, organization size, and strategy to promote a deeper understanding of impact. We have also implemented a grantee perception survey, which allows partners to provide meaningful feedback.
Unless noted otherwise, the data below reflects the period July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023.
We hope this data dashboard will provide helpful context and accountability with our grantees, partners, and funders.
Our North Star
SFF is committed to racial equity and economic inclusion
We have intentionally prioritized race and socioeconomic status in our work because our policies and systems have created barriers for low-income people of color when it comes to housing, education, criminal justice, jobs, and civic participation. The future of the Bay Area depends on our ability to ensure that everyone can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential.
Our People
We’ve been able to attract an increasingly diverse team that better reflects our communities. 72 percent of our full-time staff identified as a person of color compared to 24 percent of staff at foundations across the country.*
of Staff identify as BIPOC
of Leadership identify as BIPOC
of Board members identify as BIPOC
Our Programmatic Grants
The vast majority of our programmatic grantmaking is focused on advancing our Equity Agenda and goes to organizations serving and led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color. We know that the future they work toward will be better, richer, and more vibrant for all people in the Bay Area.
of Executive Directors identify as BIPOC**
of grantees served a population that was majority BIPOC**
of grantee partners agree SFF is committed to prioritizing funding to Black, Indigenous, and communities of color in the Bay Area.***
of grantees agree that SFF’s leaders effectively use their voice and leadership to shift policies to support an equitable Bay Area.***
48% of SFF’s donor advised funds gave grants to SFF programmatic grantees.†
* Council on Foundations’ 2016 study, The State of Change: An Analysis of Women and People of Color in the Philanthropic Sector.
** Among grantees with race/ethnicity data submitted, FY23
*** See the 2023 Grantee Perception Survey.
† Organizations that have received an SFF programmatic since the July 1, 2016 launch of our Equity Agenda
What We Fund
Our pathways and strategies
Our Equity Agenda is to ensure that all people living in the Bay Area are economically secure, rooted in vibrant communities, and engaged in civic life. As a community foundation, our programmatic grantmaking is one of the main ways we make that agenda a reality. We focus our work through interconnected pathways: People, Place, Power, and Policy and Innovation. For each we list the amount of funding and the number of organizations supported.
We also fund a range of cross-pathway strategies. Below you will see the top four strategies by funding amount.
Pathways
People
SFF recognizes the importance of making it easier for people to build financial security and wealth and put their children on a brighter path. We focus on creating just laws and practices, reimagining public safety, building worker power, and building community wealth.
Funding
$5.4M
Organizations Supported
73
Place
SFF is all in on housing because stable, affordable homes and strong neighborhoods are essential to creating a diverse, vibrant, thriving Bay Area. We focus on keeping people in their homes, local, regional, and state advocacy, supporting thriving neighborhoods, and preserving trusted local organizations.
Funding
$8.2M
Organizations Supported
107
Power
SFF supports power-building as the underpinning of strong communities and an inclusive democracy. We focus on strengthening grassroots community organizing, developing the next generation of leaders, and promoting voter engagement.
Funding
$5.9M
Organizations Supported
140
Policy and Innovation
To realize our vision, we must innovate and change the systems that were put in place to hold back Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
Funding
$6.5M
Organizations Supported
33
Strategies
Movement Building and/or Community Organizing
Support community-driven efforts to build the power of residents most impacted by systemic oppression to advance equity and justice through collective action, advocacy, and coalition-building.
Funding
$8.9M
Organizations Supported
234
Leadership Development
Support for youth and adult leaders focused on systemic change to advance racial equity and economic inclusion, especially those leading community-building, organizing, and movement-building efforts.
Funding
$6.5M
Organizations Supported
180
Housing 3Ps (Protect, Preserve, Produce)
Our comprehensive approach to housing incorporates protecting tenants, preventing homelessness, preserving affordable housing, and producing new homes at all income levels.
Funding
$6.3M
Organizations Supported
158
Policy and Systems Change
Policy and systems change efforts to address root causes of inequities by changing local, regional, state, or federal public policy.
Funding
$6.0M
Organizations Supported
147
Collaboration is Key
Tackling our biggest problems together
Collaboration across sectors is how we achieve big, lasting, systemic change. Together with our partners, we lead four collaborative efforts that are tackling challenges to housing, employment, access to transit, and civic participation in the Bay Area. These collaboratives help create large-scale, long-term solutions by allowing funders, donors, government agencies, and nonprofits to pool our resources and expertise.
partners in our collaborative efforts.*
invested by partners in SFF’s work and leadership
number of institutional funders
* Includes partners in SFF’s Partnership for the Bay’s Future, Hope SF, ReWork the Bay, and Great Communities Collaborative.
Trust-based Philanthropy
Deepening partnerships with our grantees
Trust-based philanthropy is grounded in mutually accountable relationships with our grantee partners. To that end, we strive to minimize the power imbalances inherent in our work, center the expertise of communities directly affected by the systems and policies we’re working to make more just and share what we’re learning – including what’s working and where we can improve. See a list of our grantees.
of grantees feel comfortable approaching app leads if they have a problem.*
of grantees agree they have enough touchpoints with their program officers.*
of grantees understand how grant decisions are made.*
* See the 2023 Grantee Perception Survey.
Strong Relationships
General operating and multi-year grants are grounded in strong, trusting relationships.