Christopher Burnett

What drew you to the foundation?

The San Francisco Foundation’s deep commitment to equity, justice, and community empowerment aligns closely with my own values and those of my family, which has called the Bay Area home for five generations. I chose to raise my own family here, and over a decade ago, I opened a Donor Advised Fund at the foundation to support causes we care about—education, housing, jobs and civic engagement. Community foundations play a unique role in bringing together donors, nonprofits, and civic leaders to drive meaningful change, and I have seen firsthand how the Foundation mobilizes resources and expertise to uplift communities. The foundation’s deep understanding of the region’s challenges, along with its long history of advancing social justice, makes it a critical partner in building a more inclusive and thriving Bay Area.

Biography

Christopher Burnett has a strong commitment to engaging civil society in promoting social justice, equity, and opportunity. As President of the Long Ridge Foundation and Long Ridge Action Fund, he has championed initiatives that strengthen democracy, protect immigrants and refugees’ rights, support education and long-term economic inclusion by coordinating c3 and c4 funds. Through strategic oversight, grantmaking, and governance, his leadership has ensured that philanthropic investments align with community-driven solutions, advancing equity, advocacy, and civic engagement both locally and nationally. Burnett’s background spans engineering, hospitality, and real estate development, drawing on his interests in innovation, systems-thinking, and infrastructural design. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) where his contributions are guided by his dedication to scientific research and environmental stewardship.