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
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
73%
of SFF staff who identify as people of color
83%
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.
Earlier this week, for VOICE: San Mateo County, we met with over 125 residents and service providers, public officials and advocates, congregational leaders and teachers from San Mateo, Redwood City, Burlingame, East Palo Alto, San Carlos, Daly City, San Bruno, Menlo Park, and South San Francisco. To understand the county, is to understand the diversity of the county.
We want to share with you, and reflect on, what we learned about the lived experiences and stories of the families that were shared with us as we tackle the hard truths of how far too many can’t make ends meet.
The themes of affordability, community and opportunity continually surfaced throughout the day.
Many spoke about the lack of affordable housing, and the isolation particularly for seniors. We also heard about the exodus of people across income and wealth brackets who have been living in San Mateo County for decades.
We heard about how the imbalance between where people are working and where people are living is putting tremendous pressure on the infrastructure of the region. We heard that in many instances the people who are most passionate about the county can no longer live there.
We heard about community and collaboration across sectors as a tremendous source of pride and opportunity. We heard about the importance of lifting up the voices of those who are directly impacted. We also heard that with the great spirit of collaboration, the way resources get allocated to do the work creates tension and at times undermines that spirit.
We heard many speak about opportunity and the multiple barriers that exist for people to access opportunity in San Mateo County. That with great wealth, economic and job creation, and educational opportunities, there are many barriers—barriers of race, language, immigration status and geography across cities and within—to accessing that opportunity.
Collectively, these listening sessions are an important part of setting the course for our work at The San Francisco Foundation in the short and long term. For our work to be effective, it must be grounded in community, in the voices and lived experiences of the residents. And the stories that were shared illustrate the heart of our purpose at this moment in our region, and in our nation.
In addition to the stories we’re hearing as we meet throughout the region, we have an opportunity for you to share your stories with us online as well. This is only the beginning of sharing and building on what we’re hearing, as well as taking action on what we’re learning to expand opportunity in the Bay Area.
Check out more about VOICE at bayareavoices.org and #ShareYourVoice with us online
Contact: Ling Woo Liu, lliu[at]sff.org
May 3, 2021
Residents see support for small businesses, living wages for all workers, revitalized public transportation, and preventing evictions and homelessness as key issues for policy makers to address
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In the midst of declining COVID case rates and the continuing vaccine rollout, a new nine-county survey commissioned by the San Francisco Foundation’s Bay Area Leads Fund reveals that Bay Area residents overwhelmingly agree that COVID recovery plans should prioritize under-invested communities. The survey also highlights that economic recovery, vaccination, and homelessness are top issues to address on the road to the Bay Area’s recovery.
Among Bay Area residents, 90% agree that having people from different races and income levels is part of what makes the Bay Area a great place to live. Additionally, across all political persuasions, from conservative to progressive, majorities of residents agree that racial inclusion will enhance the Bay Area’s economy and quality of life.
“This survey shows us how in tune Bay Area residents are to the ways the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and worsened racial and income disparities,” said Fred Blackwell, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation. “Residents want change. I hear them telling us that they don’t want our region to go back to the way it was before COVID-19, they want a more equitable future.”
When presented with different types of support that could be prioritized in recovery plans, residents see several issues as critical to address. They considered support for small businesses, living wages for all workers, access to public transportation, and preventing evictions and homelessness as particularly important to prioritize.
Residents see the pandemic as having a particularly negative impact on small businesses, and they show strong interest in financial relief for small businesses as well as providing technology and banking support to small businesses to aid in their recovery. Along with providing direct support to small businesses, residents find employment opportunities that pay a living wage as an important component of the Bay Area’s recovery plans.
Housing, a central issue before the pandemic, continues to be top of mind for Bay Area residents, who indicate that recovery plans should include policies seeking to prevent evictions, keep families from becoming homeless, and provide housing and support for those experiencing homelessness.
The survey was released as national, state, and local governments are moving quickly to roll out stimulus plans and other policies aimed at jumpstarting the economy following the COVID-induced recession. At the national level, President Biden’s American Rescue Plan includes funding for emergency rental assistance and homelessness programs — two of the key priorities Bay Area residents identified for a successful and equitable recovery. In California, Governor Newsom’s proposed budget includes funding to support small businesses (especially those that have been historically underserved), rental assistance, and housing for people experiencing homelessness.
“These findings come as Bay Area leaders at the city and county levels are stepping up to make sure our recovery from COVID-19 doesn’t leave anyone behind,” said Kay Fernandez-Smith, Vice President of Policy and Innovation at the San Francisco Foundation. “We can see from these results that, here in the Bay Area, we believe in reimagining a better future for all.”
Highlights from the Survey:
Racial equity and inclusion are part of what makes the Bay Area a great place to live for many residents.
- 90% of respondents agreed that having people from different races and income levels is part of what makes the Bay Area a great place to live.
- Majorities of respondents of all political persuasions agreed that greater racial inclusion will enhance the Bay Area’s economic quality of life, including 93% of Progressives, 91% of Liberals, 80% of Moderates, and 57% of Conservatives.
Small businesses, public transportation, housing, and homelessness are key issues for Bay Area residents right now.
- Respondents showed very strong support for including small business support (95% reported as important), living wages (93%), maintaining access to public transportation (91%), and preventing evictions and homelessness (91%).
- Residents see the pandemic as having had a significant negative impact on small businesses (86% perceived negative impact)—especially in comparison to large businesses (25% perceived negative impact)—and find priorities aimed at assisting small businesses important (95% consider financial assistance to small businesses to be important).
- Residents see the pandemic as having had a very negative impact on many groups, particularly small businesses (59% see impact as very negative), people experiencing poverty (54%), and people experiencing homelessness (49%).
- Support for renters is seen as more important (86%) than support for homeowners (81%), but support to address homelessness (91%) and provide places to live for those who are homeless (88%) are seen as important by an even higher percentage of people.
Residents see COVID-19 recovery as an opportunity to increase equity in the Bay Area.
- 85% of respondents indicated that it’s important for COVID recovery to prioritize under-invested (vulnerable) communities.
- Among young people age 18-34, 88% see addressing racist policies as important in COVID recovery (with 80% overall seeing this as important).
Comparing a subset of respondents in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties to previous opinion polls in this five-county geographic area suggests that residents may now be more supportive of racial and economic diversity than they have been in the past.
- Almost all residents in these five counties now see racial and economic diversity as part of what makes the Bay Area a great place to live (89%), up from 76% in 2019 and 77% in 2016, based on responses in similar surveys (though with different polling methodology) conducted in this same five-county geography.
- Similarly, 82% of respondents in these five counties agree that greater racial inclusion will enhance both the economy and the quality of life of the Bay Area, up from 66% in 2019 and 62% in 2016, based on responses in similar surveys (though with different polling methodology) conducted in this same five-county geography.
- Please note that changes in methodology between the 2021 poll and the 2019 and 2016 polls may account for some differences in the results in this section.
The mixed-mode survey was conducted by EMC Research during March 9-14, 2021, and included online through email and text invitation and live telephone interviews on landlines and mobile phones. The survey was offered in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese, and respondents were 800 adult residents in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma Counties.
The subset of data from the five-county region that includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties was compared to previous polls conducted in English only with an online panel of respondents by EMC Research in 2019 and 2016.
The survey was funded by the San Francisco Foundation’s Bay Area Leads Fund, a donor supported fund to advance the foundation’s civic leadership activities and strategic initiatives to address the most intractable issues in the region.
For complete poll results, contact Ling Woo Liu at lliu[at]sff.org.
# # #
About San Francisco Foundation
San Francisco Foundation is a grantmaking public charity dedicated to improving life in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it is one of the nation’s largest community foundations. In addition to its work supporting an economic recovery in the Bay Area that is grounded in racial equity, the San Francisco Foundation has worked in a variety of other areas – including supporting the Bay Area Equity Atlas – a robust data and policy tool to help create a more equitable Bay Area; working to prevent homelessness and provide affordable homes for all Bay Area residents; providing emergency protections to advance racial justice or protect immigrant communities through its Rapid Response Fund; and has supported a targeted set of other initiatives focused on racial equity and economic inclusion. Learn more: sff.org.
About EMC Research
EMC Research, Inc. is a full-service opinion research and strategic consulting firm serving a broad range of clients, including public and private corporations, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and political campaigns. With offices in Columbus, OH; Irving, TX; Oakland, CA; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; and Washington, D.C., EMC Research is a certified women-owned business.
As part of our commitment to trust-based philanthropy, we strive to listen, learn, and develop mutually accountable relationships with our grantee partners. In that spirit, our annual grantee perception survey is one of the many tools that we use to help us examine our own practices so that we can continually improve.
We are proud to report that the results from the 2023 survey show that we are improving our relationships with grantee partners.
- SFF continues to show steady improvement in our relationship with grantee partners and understanding of their work. 86% of grantees indicated that they have enough touch points with SFF staff, an increase from 76% last year. 94% of grantees reported being comfortable approaching their SFF grant application lead in case of a problem, an increase from 86% last year. Grantees also confirmed that SFF staff understand their organization’s work, as well as the local communities where they work.
- Grantee partners recognize our ongoing commitment to racial equity in the region, with 89% reporting that we are committed to prioritizing BIPOC communities. One grantee shared,
“SFF could take a leadership role in philanthropy and systems change work. It would be great if SFF shared their own lessons about racial equity, internally at the foundation as a way to influence and impact other foundations, and externally through their grant-making and policy advocacy work, via publications and convenings.”
- Grantee partners continue to report positive experiences with SFF’s grant application process. They indicated that the grant terms and expectations were clear (93%) and received sufficient guidance and assistance from SFF staff (85%).
These increases reflect SFF’s recent efforts to strengthen our relationship with grantees—through the grantee check-in process (also known as conversational reports); site visits; and grantee convenings. We are humbled by this feedback and going forward, we will remain steadfast in our commitment to improving our practices.
In fact, based on the survey responses, we see opportunities to improve our systems and processes, such as:
- Providing greater transparency about how funding decisions are made. We will continue to build the muscle to communicate as clearly and effectively as possible about our funding decisions. To that end, we are working on a series of trainings for new grantmakers.
- Providing clear explanations when funding is denied. This year we are developing standard protocols and practices to equip staff with easy-to-use templates when communicating grant decisions.
- Supporting grantees in using our grants management software system, Fluxx. To support our partners, we will be offering trainings, including how to navigate our online grants portal so that the application is easy to use.
Read more about how we center trust-based philanthropy and our 2023 grantmaking data analysis.
Methodology
In February 2023, we sent the survey to 416 organizations that received grants between January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022; 121 respondents completed the survey while 8 partially completed it, resulting in a response rate of 31%. Respondents are representative of our grantee pool. This response rate is comparable to the 2018 CEP survey, and in line with averages for online and email surveys.
See the results from the 2023 grantee perception survey as a PDF.
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Contact: Ling Woo Liu, lliu[at]sff.org
July 1, 2021
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The San Francisco Foundation announces today that Ophelia B. Basgal and Robert (Bob) Friedman have been appointed chair and vice chair, respectively, of the foundation’s Board of Trustees. Their appointments are effective for two years.
“Ophelia and Bob have a deep commitment to building a Bay Area where everyone can thrive,” says Fred Blackwell, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation. “We’ve greatly benefited from Ophelia’s community advocacy, and Bob’s longstanding partnership with the foundation, in addition to his expertise in economic equity. We are incredibly fortunate to continue working with them in these leadership roles.”
Ms. Basgal has served on the foundation’s board since 2013 and as its vice chair since 2019. In addition, she is a consultant to the UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation and a senior executive coach with InclusionINC, which specializes in inclusion and diversity solutions. Previously, she was the Regional Administrator of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Region IX (Pacific/Hawaii), and the vice president of community relations at the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
“I’m honored to assume the Board chair role during this historic time in philanthropy where the focus on creating equitable communities has risen to the top,” said Ms. Basgal. “The San Francisco Foundation continues to demonstrate its leadership and innovation in this mission, and I look forward to working with my fellow Board members, Fred Blackwell, and the foundation team in advancing this important effort.”
Mr. Friedman has served on the foundation’s board since 2015. He is founder and Chair Emeritus of Prosperity Now, which helps develop the community practices, public policies and private market interventions so that everyone has a reasonable chance to go to college, start a business, buy a home, save and invest, and create an economic future for themselves, their families, their community, and indeed, the country as a whole.
“I believe that the Bay Area can and should lead the quest for racial equity and economic inclusion in significant and measurable ways, and that the San Francisco Foundation and our partners can be an essential catalyst in that quest,” says Mr. Friedman. “I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to contribute.”
Having completed her term as Board chair, Sheryl Wong will continue to serve on the foundation’s Board of Trustees.
# # #
About the San Francisco Foundation
The San Francisco Foundation is committed to a Bay Area where everyone can get a good job, live in a safe and affordable home, and exercise their political voice. The foundation advances its work through grantmaking, partnerships with donors, policy advocacy, and impact investing.
Bay Area Housing: The Path Forward
Protection
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Overview
Meeting Immediate Needs by Ensuring Housing Stability in the Bay Area
News coverage often centers on the visible homelessness crisis, with more than 36,000 Bay Area residents experiencing homelessness on any given night in 2022.[1] Less visible are the families with low-income who are precariously housed and just one health emergency or missed paycheck away from eviction, displacement, or falling into homelessness.
Bay Area rents are among the highest in the nation. An astounding 80% of the region’s renters who earn less than half of the area’s median income households pay more than 30% of their incomes on housing costs.[2] By comparison, 26% of moderate-income renters put the same fraction of their paychecks toward covering housing. Often living in overcrowded, unsafe spaces, many very low income households have children, are single-parent families, or are headed by seniors. Families of color are most burdened, with Black households more likely to fall into the very low-income category than their white counterparts.
The availability of government housing assistance falls far short of the need. Less than 20% of the nation’s ELI households receive housing subsidies.[3] Meanwhile, the mortgage interest deduction is a $25 billion government subsidy that largely helps people with moderate incomes and above.[4]
As so many people struggle with the region’s high cost of living, it’s clear that tenant protections are essential. Policy strategies include rent control/stabilization, codifying “just cause” for eviction, and penalties for harassing tenants. Direct service responses include rental assistance, legal services, and tenant-rights workshops. Without these safeguards, renters are vulnerable to pernicious landlords. Many will leave their homes without knowing their legal rights, and those without financial reserves will join the unhoused on the streets or in shelters. Here, again, Black families are disproportionately harmed; they are one-fifth of renters, but they receive over half of all eviction filings.[5] Black individuals are five times more likely to experience homelessness than white individuals.[6] Tenant Protection strategies include policies such as just cause eviction, rent control/stabilization, and tenant anti-harassment. It also includes legal services, rental assistance, and tenant rights workshops.
Homelessness Prevention programs help vulnerable households remain in or find stable housing so that they don’t land on the streets in the first place. The programs can prioritize “precariously housed” residents with no legal lease or tenancy who are not literally homeless (e.g., sleeping on a couch).
Keeping people in their homes is significantly less expensive than getting them back into housing after they’ve become homeless. Both tenant-protection and homelessness-prevention programs tend to include pre-eviction and eviction legal services, emergency rental assistance, and relocation assistance. Homelessness-prevention assistance is often more service-rich and typically includes case management. These efforts work. Santa Clara County’s Homelessness Prevention System (HPS) has a 93% success rate in keeping families housed, at a one-time cost of $10,000 per family. That’s a fraction of the annual cost to provide services to unhoused residents, of $35,000 to $80,000 per person.
[1] Terner Center for Housing Innovation, August 2024, Addressing the Housing Needs of Low-Income Households in the Bay Area: The Importance of Public Funding
[2] Ibid.
[3] Terner Center for Housing Innovation, December 2021, “On the Edge of Homelessness: The Vulnerability of Extremely Low-Income Households in the Bay Area.”
[4] National Low Income Housing Coalition, May 2021, “Misdirected Housing Supports: Why the Mortgage Interest Deduction Unjustly Subsidizes High-Income Households and Expands Racial Disparities.”
[5] Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America(PNAS), October 2, 2023, “A comprehensive demographic profile of the US evicted population.”
[6] Community Solutions, February 7, 2020, “Racism and Homelessness are Inextricably Linked. Here’s What We’re Doing About It.”
Our Priorities
Systems & Policy Change
We support policies and legislation that enhance protections for tenants.
Increasing Public Funding
We support legislative efforts to increase public funding for tenant protection and preventing homelessness.
Fostering Collaboration
We foster collaboration among the public and private sector to move the needle across the entire Bay Area region.
Comprehensive Programs
We prevent homelessness by supporting comprehensive programs, like Keep Oakland Housed, that meet people’s needs across a continuum of services.
Legal Services
We support the expansion of legal services for tenants in eviction proceedings.
Protection in Action
Examples of SFF grantees keeping people in their homes.
Photo courtesy of Rolando Rubio III, Catholic Charities East Bay.
Keep Oakland Housed
In its first 15 months of operations, Keep Oakland Housed helped prevent more than 2,100 Oakland households — representing more than 4,000 individuals — from becoming homeless. Keep Oakland Housed services are available to Oakland residents who risk losing their housing. Priority is given to extremely low income households. Legal representation is also available for tenants with an active eviction lawsuit.
Aileen Joy, Tenants Together Development Director, and Victoria Zacarias, Tenants Together Director of Community Leadership, at a UC Hastings event to recruit law student volunteers for the organization’s hotline and research projects.
Tenants Together
Tenants Together is based in San Francisco and has helped keep Californians across the state in their homes. They trained tenant organizers to build tenant power and counselors to help tenants access resources. They helped a network of over 50 service provider partners stay up-to-date on the rapidly changing local and statewide eviction protections this year.
Evictorbook
Evictorbook is a web-based tool from the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project that gives tenants and organizers essential information about properties and landlords. Its goal is to help community organizers and tenants prevent illegal evictions, organize tenants, and increase transparency around corporate housing ownership. SFF initiative Great Communities Collaborative and their partners in the Oakland Preservation Table helped support this work.
Bringing more resources to the field
A powerful community of donors is helping provide the deeply needed resources to fuel this work.
In 2022, SFF held a donor briefing on reducing homelessness with a panel of SFF-grantees: All Home, Bay Area Community Services, and the Eviction Defense Collaborative. Panelists stressed that we know how to solve homelessness: We must double down on investing in and implementing the solutions we know work.
Photo of Joan Levison, SFF donor.
Joan Levison is passionate about ensuring seniors with low incomes have a safe place to call home. As the Executive Director of Menorah Park and steward of the Menorah Park Community Impact Fund, Joan worked closely with SFF staff that have expertise in housing strategies to allocate $1.8M in donations to SFF-vetted organizations doing the most effective work ensuring seniors thrive in stable, affordable housing.
Bright Spots
In addition to SFF grantees, our whole community is working hard to address our housing needs. Here are some bright spots.
Community Conversations
Through op-eds and speaking on panels, SFF is an important part of regional conversations around housing.
Read More on Protecting Tenants and Preventing Homelessness
Article, 2023, Housing Matters: An Urban Institute Initiative
Eviction Lab (December 16, 2020)
Study, 2023, Eviction Lab
Article, 2022, Shelterforce
Terner Center for Housing Innovation (May 4, 2020)
Study, 2019, Princeton University Journal of Public & International Affairs
Web resource, National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel
Article, 2022, Cityhealth
White paper, 2022, ACLU
Proceedings, 2023, National Academy of Sciences
Study, 2023, University of Notre Dame
Report, 2015, Economic Roundtable
Study, 2023, UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
Report, 2023, All Home, the California Budget & Policy Center, and the Stanford Center on Poverty & Inequality
White paper, 2022, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research
Report, 2021, UC Berkeley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation
We are pleased to announce our latest Program-Related Investment in East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC). Our $875,000 PRI loan will help EBALDC purchase and preserve affordable housing in Oakland. Our PRI will provide capital to EBALDC’s Housing Acquisition Fund, which targets small apartment buildings at risk of conversion to higher rents and threatening the displacement of residents earning low and moderate incomes.
In an effort to quickly acquire, rehab and permanently preserve naturally-occurring affordable housing, EBALDC’s Housing Acquisition Fund focuses on small apartment buildings with at least 20 units. Once rehabbed, and as units become vacant, occupancy will be restricted to families earning less than or equal to 80% Area Median Income.
Founded in 1975, EBALDC’s mission is to build healthy, vibrant and safe neighborhoods through community development. They began their affordable housing development work in 1988 and since then have developed over 2,000 homes, townhouses and apartments and over 300,000 square feet of commercial/community space in Oakland, Richmond and San Pablo.
Recognizing that community development requires more than just real estate development, EBALDC serves over 4,000 people annually with a range of on-site services that empower their residents to set themselves on a path to economic security and a long, healthy life. Services and programs include: community engagement; employment support; youth programs; benefits assistance; housing stability; and quality of life assistance. In addition, their Family Economic Success Program assists families and individuals to stabilize their financial situations and to plan for long-term economic self-sufficiency. Sixty-seven percent of residents earn under $20,000.
EBALDC’s work is closely aligned with two of TSFF’s Equity Pathways: Anchoring Communities and Expanding Access to Opportunity. TSFF’s PRI loan will leverage $95 million in permanent financing and preserve 600 units over the next three years. EBALDC is aiming to create over 2,000 units of permanent affordable housing over the next eight years, with a focus on their priority neighborhoods: Lower Bottoms/Prescott, Chinatown/Lake Merritt, Havenscourt/Coliseum, San Pablo Avenue Corridor and Lower San Antonio.
In partnership with our donors, we are proud to support EBALDC with this important and timely investment. EBALDC is an experienced and respected housing developer with a strong focus on Oakland communities.
Learn more about our Program-Related Investment Fund and our current portfolio of loans at sff.org/pri.
A safe, stable home is one of the most basic human needs and a cornerstone of economic opportunity – and during the coronavirus pandemic, a home to shelter in can be lifesaving. SFF’s Bay Area Community Impact Fund is investing $5 million in an innovative fund to keep Bay Area residents in their homes and to build more homes that are affordable for Bay Area families.
This loan to the Bay’s Future Fund is the largest loan to date made by our Bay Area Community Impact Fund. This significant investment underscores SFF’s strong commitment to preserve and produce affordable housing at a regional scale and reflects the substantial need for low-cost investments to get affordable housing projects off the ground.
Investing in housing: Partnership for the Bay’s Future
The Bay’s Future Fund is part of the investment arm of the Partnership for the Bay’s Future collaborative, created by the San Francisco Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative along with a number of other funders and partners. The Partnership for the Bay’s Future helps make homes more affordable across the Bay Area with a unique dual approach: it works to advance policy changes that protect residents and improve affordability and it invests in building new and rehabilitating existing affordable homes—always through a lens of racial equity and economic inclusion.
The Bay’s Future Fund finances projects from supportive housing for people who are unhoused to mixed-income housing that supports below-market rents without subsidies. The fund aims to improve housing choices for people across the income spectrum, from those making extremely low incomes to those with moderate incomes. With its innovative and flexible loan products, the Bay’s Future Fund fills capital gaps and expands our affordable housing stock.
Bay’s Future Fund projects
One of the first loans made by the Bay’s Future Fund is to a partnership between the Bay Area Community Land Trust and the McGee Avenue Baptist Church. With this financing, the Bay Area Community Land Trust will restore an 8-unit church-owned property that had previously sat vacant for decades. The Land Trust and the Church will rent out the renovated apartments at affordable rates and establish co-op ownership for the residents.
The Bay’s Future Fund also provided a loan to a local community organization—the Unity Council—to purchase two apartment buildings on 36th Avenue in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland that house 25 families. This acquisition will ensure that all the apartments will remain affordable to families making below 80% of the area median income (AMI)—with the majority affordable for families making below 50% of AMI. Every existing tenant will remain in place. The Unity Council will offer critical social services to the residents, including employment services, free tax guidance and a Head Start program.
SFF and other investors in the Bay’s Future Fund will help the Partnership for the Bay’s Future reach its ambitious goal to preserve and produce more than 8,000 homes in the Bay Area.
Impact investing for the Bay Area
The San Francisco Foundation has invested $15 million in our Bay Area Community Impact Fund, and donors have co-invested alongside us—allocating a portion of their DAFs to local impact. The Fund has invested in the Bay Area for more than a decade through low-interest, long-term loans to local organizations and projects that align with the foundation’s values and goals. Our investments help build affordable housing, grow small businesses, create good jobs, and strengthen the organizations that serve our communities. As community organizations pay back the loans, we recycle the funds into new investments and repay the donors and institutions who invest in the fund.
Learn more about the Bay Area Community Impact Fund and the investments it has made.
San Francisco Foundation donors interested in investing funds for local impact can contact your Philanthropic Advisor or email us at donorservices[at]sff.org
BACIF Impacts — Bay Area
We work every day to create a Bay Area where everyone has a chance to get a good job, live in a healthy and affordable home, and have a strong political voice.
Our elections are one of the most critical tools to move us closer to this vision. The measures on our state and local ballots this year give us some clear choices. We can choose a California which protects reproductive freedom and recognizes the critical role that arts education plays in our schools. We can choose communities that build affordable housing, strengthen our democracy, and ensure that all pay their fair share. Our votes will help set the course for our communities and state.
Our voter guide shares our recommendations on two statewide initiatives and eleven local ballot measures closely aligned with our work, which will help us move toward our shared vision. Download a PDF version of the voter guide.
Click on the sections below to see the descriptions for the state and local propositions we recommend.
State Propositions
| Short Description | Long Description | |
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Yes on CA Prop 1
Prop 1 would provide a state constitutional right to reproductive freedom, including the right to an abortion. |
Yes on Proposition 1 to ensure reproductive freedom
By stripping away reproductive freedom, the U.S. Supreme Court condemned many families into poverty, particularly Black and Brown families. Proposition 1 creates a state constitutional right to reproductive freedom. Ensuring access to comprehensive reproductive services is critical for individuals and our movement to end poverty in this country. Ultimately, there is no economic freedom without reproductive health choices and rights. More information at protectabortionca.com |
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Yes on CA Prop 28
Prop 28 would provide additional funding for arts and music in K-12 schools. |
Yes on California Proposition 28, to support arts and music education funding.
Prop 28 funds arts education which is essential to young people’s educational experience. The arts have the power to transform perceptions of power and privilege, preserve endangered cultural practices, and shift how we think about ourselves and our society. Proposition 28 does not raise taxes. It provides additional funding for arts from the state’s general fund, equal to 1% of the required state and local funding for public schools. It provides a greater proportion of the funds to schools serving more students with low incomes. Schools with 500 or more students must spend at least 80% of the new arts funding on teachers. More information at voteyeson28.org |
San Francisco Propositions
| Short Description | Long Description | |
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Yes on SF Prop L
Prop L would renew an existing sales tax to fund important transit infrastructure projects |
Yes on Proposition L to support racial justice and equity in transportation services.
Proposition L supports racial justice and equity in transportation services, a key part of building a just and inclusive Bay Area. Proposition L renews an existing sales tax to fund important transit infrastructure projects in San Francisco. Proposition L ensures investments in communities that have been actively harmed by displacement and past transit decision-making. Investments include a new Caltrain station in Bayview, significant investments in making Muni and BART more reliable in priority communities, a new 30-year investment plan, and $40M specifically for investments in equity priority communities. More information at keepsfmoving.com |
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Yes on SF Prop M
Prop M would encourage the use of vacant properties through a vacancy tax and use the proceeds for affordable housing. |
Yes on Proposition M to tax keeping residential units vacant.
San Francisco faces some of the worst housing shortages in California, driving up prices and pushing out residents with low incomes and communities of color. Proposition M could make about 4,500 vacant units available over two years and generate more than $38 million in annual revenue for essential services. It would do so by taxing buildings with three or more units when at least one of them has been unoccupied for more than six months in one year. Single-family homes, two-unit buildings, primary residences, leased properties, or affordable housing projects would not pay the tax. Half of the generated revenue will fund rental subsidies for seniors and low-income families. The rest will help the city convert empty buildings into affordable housing. More information at fillemptyhomes.com |
Oakland Measures
| Short Description | Long Description | |
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Yes on Oakland Measure T
Measure T would modernize Oakland’s business tax structure and raise $20m for services. |
Yes on Measure T to create a more equitable and progressive business tax.
Measure T would bring millions of dollars into Oakland by ensuring big corporations pay their fair share and taking the burden off small and mid-size businesses (many of which are owned by women and people of color). Oakland’s smallest businesses generate less than 20% of the total revenue but pay over 33% of all local business taxes. Oakland’s largest companies account for 25% of revenue but pay only 13% of local business taxes. By modernizing Oakland’s business tax system, Measure T will cut taxes for over 20,000 small and mid-size businesses while raising over $20M annually in new general fund revenue to strengthen critical city services. Oaklanders will gain increased access to good jobs and bolster public services in education, public safety, transit, and affordable housing. More information at investinouroakland.com |
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Yes on Oakland Measure U
Measure U would authorize $850 million in bonds for affordable housing and infrastructure improvements. |
Yes on the Measure U to authorize $850 million infrastructure bond measure to invest in affordable housing. Preserving affordable housing is critical to ensuring low-income communities of color can afford to live and remain in Oakland. Measure U authorizes an $850 million general obligation bond. $350 million is for preserving affordable housing. $290 million is for transportation improvements such as paving and traffic calming. $210 million will improve city facilities like parks, fire stations, and libraries.
More information at sayyesoakland.org |
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Yes on Oakland Measure W
Measure W would create a “democracy dollars” program and make election spending more transparent. |
Yes on Measure W will create new “democracy dollars” program and create additional transparency in elections expenditures.
Measure W will help level the playing field and ensure that Oakland’s local elected officials are accountable to Oaklanders of color by putting more campaign funds in the hands of Oakland voters. Currently, half of all contributions from Oakland residents for local elected officials come from Oakland’s whiter, more affluent neighborhoods. About half of the contributions come from outside the city. Measure W encourages candidates to campaign in all neighborhoods by giving each Oakland voter four $25 campaign vouchers they can assign to the certified city and school board candidates. In Seattle, a similar measure increased small donors, donor diversity, and first-time voters. Measure W mandates more transparency in contributions, requires participation in debates and limits additional money in politics. More information at fairelectionsoakland.org |
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Yes on Oakland Measure Q
Measure Q would authorize Oakland to build or acquire up to 13,000 affordable housing units. |
Yes on Measure Q to authorize up to 13,000 affordable social housing units.
Oakland – and the rest of California – doesn’t produce nearly enough housing, and low-income residents of color disproportionately bear the brunt of the crisis through increased housing costs and rates of homelessness. California’s State Constitution requires voter approval for low-income housing developments subsidized by public funds. (Segregationists added this requirement in the 1950s.) Though Measure Q does not include funding, pre-authorizing the construction or acquisition of low-rent housing will allow the city to pursue financing for many affordable homes rather than one-off approval processes. More information at protectoaklandrenters.org/measure-q |
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Yes on Oakland Measure V
Measure V would expand Oakland’s Just Cause eviction protections to most rental properties. |
Yes on Measure V to expand just cause eviction protections.
Protecting renters from unjust evictions is essential to providing the stability people need to thrive. Under current law, all rental units in buildings built before 1996 — including rented single-family homes and condominium units – require landlords to offer one of 11 eligible reasons for evicting a tenant. Measure V expands Just Cause eviction protections to most rental properties in the city, including those in newly constructed units and vehicular residential facilities. Additionally, it prohibits no-fault evictions of teachers and children during the school year, thus giving them the stability they need to focus on education. More information at protectoaklandrenters.org/measure-v |
Berkeley Measures
| Short Description | Long Description | |
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Yes on Berkeley Measure L
Measure L would invest $650 million in affordable housing and infrastructure projects. |
Yes on Measure L to authorize infrastructure bond
Berkeley, along with other cities across our region, faces an extreme housing shortage and has been slow to produce enough affordable housing. Measure L is critical to making the investments needed to address affordability for Berkeley residents. This $650 million bond measure would raise money for infrastructure projects and affordable housing. $200 million would be devoted to building an estimated 1,500 units of affordable housing and continue rehousing the homeless. $450 million will be dedicated to projects such as rehabilitating streets, installing underground utility wires, and improving safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and seniors. More information at renewberkeley.org |
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Yes on Berkeley Measure M
Measure M would encourage the use of vacant properties through a vacancy tax. |
Yes on Measure M to tax keeping residential units vacant.
Berkeley’s housing shortage is driving up prices and pushing out residents with low incomes and communities of color. Measure M would tax property owners who keep a residential unit vacant for more than half a calendar year. Owners of apartments with four or fewer units who live on their property and don’t own any other homes will be exempt. The Measure also includes exemptions for situations like repair and rehabilitation when the property is considered vacant. The city estimates nearly 700 homes would be subject to the tax in its first year and that it could raise $3.9 to $5.9 million per year. More information at vacancytaxberkeley.org |
Richmond Measure
| Short Description | Long Description | |
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Yes on Richmond Measure P
Measure P would protect renters by capping allowable rent increases. |
Yes on Measure P “Rent Control Amendment” to cap allowable rent increases.
Measure P provides important protections for Richmond residents struggling with housing affordability as rental prices continue to climb. Richmond passed rent control in 2016, but landlords can still raise the rent up to 100% of the Consumer Price Index. With inflation surging, landlords can increase rent by over 5% yearly. This is a significant percentage of a family’s annual income. Measure P would reduce the allowable increases to 60% of the Consumer Price Index, with a cap of 3%. More information at Argument in Favor of Measure P |
Menlo Park Measure
| Short Description | Long Description | |
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No on Menlo Park Measure V
Measure V would make it more difficult for the city to produce affordable housing by requiring that any changes to the General Plan land use designation be approved during a general election. |
No on Measure V “General Plan Restrictions” to prevent housing production in single-family zones.
Measure V would cement and exacerbate racial and economic segregation by blocking the development of new homes in high-opportunity neighborhoods which are predominantly upper-income and white. The Measure prohibits the City Council from changing the General Plan land use designations or rezoning certain properties to support multi-family units unless first approved by a majority vote during a general election. An independent report concluded that Measure V would decrease the city’s ability to provide affordable housing. To ensure a community where all can thrive, we must ensure that low-income communities of color can access high-resource communities More information at protectteacherhousing.org |
Philanthropy News Digest interviewed foundation CEO Fred Blackwell on what he defines as racial equity, the foundation’s program areas and how they came to be, how donors have responded to our new focus, and more.
“…how you use your voice, how you do your grantmaking, how you manage your hiring process, who you hire, how you buy your products, which consultants you use, how you talk to partners and potential partners about what you’re working on and how they can join you. It’s okay to just work on equity, but it’s not okay to think you’re trying to achieve equity when you’re just working on it,” he says.
A six-year-old boy playing in a bounce house in Gilroy, CA. An 86-year-old grandma shopping in El Paso, TX. A 30-year-old celebrating his birthday with friends in Dayton, OH. These are just three of the 32 victims who have died in the last nine days due to mass shootings in the US, some of which may be classified as hate crimes. In El Paso, the suspected shooter has been tied to a vicious and increasingly interconnected community of white nationalists who openly espouse their hatred of immigrants.
In the wake of these horrific events, we start this week wondering: What can we do? How do we honor the people who have lost their lives? Here are some suggestions for organizations you can support at this critical time. SFF donors may recommend a grant from their donor advised fund to these organizations.
Community Foundations: Community foundations work with local nonprofit organizations to determine the short- and long-term needs of the community, ensuring that all donations are effectively deployed.
- El Paso Community Foundation: El Paso Shooting Victims’ Relief Fund
- Dayton Foundation: Dayton Oregon District Tragedy Fund
- The Gilroy Foundation & Silicon Valley Community Foundation: Gilroy Garlic Festival Victims Relief Fund
Organizations Supporting Immigrants in the El Paso Area:
- Annunciation House: An organization in El Paso that operates shelters for migrants and refugees on the border.
- Hope Border Institute: A faith-based organization in El Paso that manages a network of shelters for migrants and refugees on the border.
Organizations Addressing Gun Violence:
- Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence: The Brady Campaign is among the most recognized organizations working on the issue of gun violence in the U.S. They mobilize communities to advocate for sensible and responsible gun laws, regulations, and public policies at the local, state, and national levels.
- United Playaz: UP is located in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood and offers an in-school violence prevention program and an after-school program. They provide crisis support and response teams to prevent and reduce violence 24 hours a day, in addition to a successful gun buyback program.
- East Oakland Youth Development Center:EOYDC is a key community anchor in the East Oakland neighborhood. EOYDC recognizes that for the youth and families they serve to thrive in their communities, these communities need to be safe places that foster health and well-being, free from gun violence.
We stand together with these organizations during these difficult times and know that they are deeply committed to supporting those who need the resources the most. In the face of tragedy, we have the opportunity to come together and deepen our commitment to each other. From here to communities across the country, let’s turn our grief into action. We know that America can be better than this.
Questions? Please contact [email protected] for more information on any of these long-time foundation grantees, or for additional giving recommendations.