Lasting Change is built on the momentum of generations of problem-solvers, bold leaders, & risk takers.

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How We Work

As a trusted community leader and convener, we bring together the brightest minds, boldest leaders, and experts in their field to solve the challenges of our day.

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Deep Roots

For over six decades, strong community relationships and local expertise have been the very core of our approach.

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Many Partners

We bring together the sharpest minds, with on-the-ground insights and expertise, to develop solutions to the biggest challenges facing Bay Area residents.

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Seed Funding

We are an incubator for creative problem-solvers, giving root to innovative approaches that ripple across the state and nation.

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Open Door

Every day we meet with partners, new and longstanding to roll up our sleeves and continue our mission to build a better Bay Area.

What We Can Do, Together

We leverage our resources, expertise, and our relationships to innovate and achieve shared prosperity and equity in the region.

5 Counties

66 Years of Bold Progress

$67M Into the Bay Area in 2014

$1.3B In Assets in 2014

$160M Return on Investments in 2014

& New Partners Everyday

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Our Impact

The Bay Area has an unmistakable energy and vitality. From vibrant culture and iconic landscapes, to world-class innovation and powerful social movements – it is unlike any other place. At TSFF, we strive to ensure equity and opportunity in the region so that everyone in the community can thrive.

In all focus areas we commit our resources, the expertise of our staff, and our relationships, to make a difference in the Bay Area today and sustain that impact in the future. Click on any of the five counties we serve to learn more.

Our expert program staff uses their intimate knowledge of the region to cut quickly to the essence of issues affecting the community.

We invest in organizations and grassroots leaders dedicated to ensuring equity and opportunity for everyone in the Bay Area.

We are an incubator for creative problem- solvers, giving root to innovative approaches that ripple across the state and nation. We seed pivotal institutions that make the Bay Area the unique place that we call home.

Marin San Francisco San Mateo Contra Costa Alameda

Arts & Culture$244,767

Civic & Community Engagement$406,858

Community Development$126,100

Community Health$350,470

Education$392,134

Environment$128,158

Arts & Culture$9,230,259

Civic & Community Engagement$6,379,786

Community Development$2,659,724

Community Health$4,777,202

Education$6,406,918

Environment$3,222,218

Arts & Culture$115,548

Civic & Community Engagement$1,782,494

Community Development$306,050

Community Health$389,831

Education$1,795,637

Environment$59,500

Arts & Culture$103,821

Civic & Community Engagement$506,339

Community Development$450,035

Community Health$358,056

Education$304,632

Environment$274,500

Arts & Culture$700,862

Civic & Community Engagement$8,252,754

Community Development$1,887,810

Community Health$1,934,787

Education$6,406,258

Environment$902,913

Total Organizations Funded126

Total Investments$1,648,490

Total Organizations Funded798

Total Investments$32,676,108

Total Organizations Funded175

Total Investments$4,449,060

Total Organizations Funded98

Total Investments$1,997,384

Total Organizations Funded440

Total Investments$20,085,385

Setting New Roots

As the number of newly arrived immigrants in the Canal neighborhood grew, local leaders created the Canal Welcome Center to help new residents become fully engaged in civic life. Over the last 11 years it has become the go-to place for residents and nonprofits to engage with the Canal community.

Building Communities

In 1983 BRIDGE Housing was formed with a vision to address the shortage of affordable housing in the Bay Area by building thousands of high-quality affordable homes for working families and seniors. Today, BRIDGE is one of the most successful nonprofit housing providers in the nation.

A Connecting Point

Fifteen years ago Puente de la Costa Sur was founded to provide men working in agriculture with basic necessities. Today, Puente’s comprehensive programs reach one-third of the residents in the region and is the only organization in the county that focuses specifically on agricultural workers and their families.

Empowering Youth

RYSE Center was founded by youth and adult allies who united to create a safe place for teens in Richmond to have fun and find support to succeed. Now celebrating their five year anniversary, RYSE has served 3,000 youth, awarded 16 scholarships, and continues to grow as a hub for youth activities.

Amplifying Voices

During a period of heightened violence in the community, Youth Radio was created as an outlet for youth to process their experiences and to broadcast alternative perspectives on issues facing the community. Today, the program has three news bureaus and boasts a 97% high school graduation rate.

Partner With Us

You can make an impact now. Give to The San Francisco Foundation online today and know that you are investing in effective, long-term solutions to build a stronger Bay Area. Click here for descriptions of the various fund types.

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Our Partners

Banding together with our partners, we leverage resources, bold ideas, and community expertise to develop solutions that build a better Bay Area. Read about a few of our partners and join us in our work.

Living Cities

An innovative collaborative of 22 of the world’s largest foundations and financial institutions, Living Cities is investing with us in HOPE SF. This landmark initiative harnesses the momentum and leadership for change, fundamentally reshaping systems, policies, and services to meet the needs of low-income residents in San Francisco's District 10 neighborhoods.

Vinitha and David Watson

Vinitha and David believe that if you can dream it, you can do it. They partnered with TSFF as a connector to bring their ideas to life. That's how they launched Zoo Labs, a creative incubator where music, entrepreneurship, and technology intersect so musicians have the tools they need to support themselves – to respect artistic work as a career choice, and make it a viable one.

Professional Advisors Council

Our Professional Advisors Council are leaders in the Bay Area financial world, committed to the community by working to advance philanthropy and encourage charitable giving across the Bay Area.

Dr. Mary H. Layman

A lifelong supporter of many Bay Area nonprofits during her lifetime, when she passed away, Dr. Layman established a trust at The San Francisco Foundation. Her original gift of $7M has since grown more than three times over and provides up to $850,000 annually to TSFF’s program teams to support youth in need in the San Francisco Bay area.

Ford Foundation

Supporting visionary leaders and organizations on the frontlines of social change worldwide, the Ford Foundation invests in our Great Communities Collaborative to promote equitable, transit-oriented development in the San Francisco Bay region.

Full Circle Fund

Full Circle Fund is a member-driven network of next gen philanthropists who give their time, money, skills, and connections to make an impact in the Bay Area. Our organizational partnership offers donors from both groups the chance to collaborate and learn from each other, discover new organizations, and building community.

We bring together partners, new and longstanding, from all corners of the community who strive to ensure equity and opportunity, so that everyone in the region can thrive. Join us, and let’s keep building.