Whitney Francis

Why do you do what you do?

Growing up, my mom worked hard to shelter me from feeling the effects of poverty. Moving to the Bay Area as a young adult, it was impossible to ignore, especially in a region with such extreme wealth. Both experiences left me asking why our culture treats poverty as a personal failure rather than a failure of our systems to guarantee basic necessities like food, housing, and health care.
That question has continued to guide my work. Our life outcomes shouldn’t be determined by luck of where we’re born or the circumstances and families we’re born into. I want low-income communities and communities of color to have a real seat at the table in the decisions that shape their health and wellbeing. I want to live in a Bay Area where everyone can thrive.

What drew you to the foundation?

Before joining the foundation, I worked on anti-poverty and racial justice state policy, which gave me a broad view of the issues threatening working families, from affordable housing and childcare to the erosion of our social safety net programs. At a moment when so many of those systems are being dismantled, I wanted to move my work closer to the ground to support community leaders who are building what comes next. I believe the innovative ideas taking shape at the local level can serve as a blueprint for better, more equitable programs, policies, and systems of the future.

How would you describe your role?

I see my role as being an advocate for our grantees, which starts with deep listening. I strive to stay close to what’s happening on the ground and across the field, so we can be responsive to what communities actually need, not just what we assume they need. Much of my work is about connecting ideas, people, and resources, so that the right support reaches the right place at the right time.

What inspires you?

I’m constantly inspired by the care and passion the people around me show for others, from my mom to my friends to my neighbors. There’s something exciting about what becomes possible when people show up for each other, and the joy and momentum that comes from it. I see it every day, from thoughtful conversations with colleagues to neighbors on my block lending a hand. All of it is a reminder of what’s possible when we’re truly committed to each other.