On April 23, SFF donors and friends from across the region gathered for our third annual Bay Area Giving Summit. From the moment the event began, it was clear that our donor community was energized and eager to gather again in one space.
In his opening remarks, SFF’s CEO Fred Blackwell reflected on what that energy means. “This has quickly become a marquis event for us,” he shared. He spoke to what it means to be part of a community foundation in a moment defined by multi-layered crises: that as global citizens, we have an opportunity right here, where we are rooted, to demonstrate what community ought to look like. He reminded guests that SFF doesn’t just resource local nonprofits — we also complement our donors’ giving in the region and partner with them to achieve their goals and improve life in this place that we share.
Rehana Abbas, SFF’s Chief of Philanthropy, also shared how the previous year’s Giving Summit produced real, tangible outcomes. Donors pooled resources to help meet the needs of local arts groups facing $800,000 in lost federal funding. Others hosted house gatherings to deepen their giving and learning around immigrant rights. The conversations that began at last year’s Giving Summit tables didn’t end when people walked out the door: they became the seeds of action.
That spirit was alive again this year. What we heard most from attendees was how much they valued the chance to connect with peers–other donors who share their commitment to this region. Many described the Giving Summit as a reunion. Whether through one-on-one conversations, small table discussions, or simply meeting someone new across the room, attendees pointed to peer connection as the heart of the experience. One donor shared with us, “I always get a jolt of inspiration for the work that can be done.”
Alongside the human connection, donors also valued the chance to learn about local organizations they hadn’t previously known, that are working on issues central to their giving. Several attendees noted how meaningful it was to hear from peers who are deeply versed in particular local issues, and to learn what motivates their giving in these issue areas.
The “inverse raffle” was once again a highlight, giving attendees a chance to lift up the organizations that inspire them. Three local organizations (Women’s Foundation of California, Walk SF, and Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity) each received a $10,000 grant at the request of the ”winning” donor who submitted their name.
Guests attending this event for the first time also left feeling inspired and optimistic about the work ahead. This is the purpose of the Giving Summit: to remind us that we are not alone in caring deeply about this region, and that our collective generosity, curiosity, and resolve are forces worth gathering around and amplifying.
We are grateful to every donor who joined us, and we cannot wait to see what this community builds together in the year ahead.
