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    5. San Francisco Foundation
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    San Francisco Foundation

    ActivePhilanthropy & VoluntarismMakes PRIs
    SAN FRANCISCO, CAWebsite4157338500

    About San Francisco Foundation

    Our mission is to mobilize resources and act as a catalyst for change to build strong communities, foster civic leadership, and promote philanthropy in the San Francisco Bay Area.

    Focus Areas

    racial equityeconomic inclusionhousing and affordable housingcommunity developmentcivic engagement and power-buildingarts and cultureworkforce and economic securityimpact investing

    Who They Fund

    diverse-led nonprofit organizationscommunities of color (priority cities)college and graduate students (including undocumented/Dreamers)museum and arts audiences / artists

    About San Francisco Foundation

    The San Francisco Foundation pairs large-scale community grantmaking with program-related investments, using both grants and low-interest capital to pursue its Equity Agenda across the Bay Area. One of its clearest signals is the $9.1 million grant to the UC Berkeley Foundation for the Haas Scholars Program, including the "Light the Way" capital campaign and scholarship support, which shows how the foundation backs higher education and student opportunity at major scale. It also funds place-based housing and community development work, such as the $9 million grant to the San Francisco Housing Accelerator Fund for general support and R&D, alongside awards that support leadership development, civic power, arts access, workforce opportunity, and racial equity. The foundation’s recent portfolio mixes large general-support awards, restricted program grants, and advised gifts routed through donor-advised structures. In the Bay Area, it has supported community organizations, universities, arts institutions, and public-interest intermediaries, with funding that can reach into the millions when it is tied to scholarship programs, housing finance, or long-term community infrastructure. Its giving reflects a regional strategy centered on racial equity and economic inclusion rather than a narrow single-issue focus, with multiple pathways aimed at people, place, and power.

    What San Francisco Foundation Funds

    In higher education, The San Francisco Foundation gave $9,063,842 to UC Berkeley Foundation for the Haas Scholars Program, including the "Light the Way" capital campaign and the Haas Family Fiat Lux Scholarship Program. In housing and community development, it provided $9,000,000 to the San Francisco Housing Accelerator Fund for general support and R&D and general operating support, matching its emphasis on affordable homes and neighborhood stability. The foundation also funds civic leadership and power-building work. Coro Northern California received $2,148,661 to train and support a network of leaders advancing housing justice in the Bay Area, while the foundation gave $2,727,485 to the same organization for a partnership focused on equitable affordable housing production and preservation solutions with local government agencies. In arts and culture, the Regents of the University of California at Berkeley received $1,566,500 for the Murphy Award and Arts Awards, plus technical assistance, consultation, and research support tied to workforce training.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $218.4M

    Total Assets

    $1.9B

    Total Revenue

    $358.6M

    Total Expenses

    $254.7M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $10K and $82K, with a median of $25K.

    25th Percentile

    $10K

    Median

    $25K

    75th Percentile

    $82K

    Geographic Reach

    Regional50 states funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    Deep Analysis

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    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 01-0679337Latest Form 990: 2026Total assets: $1.9B4 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
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    voters and civic organizations
    patients / clinical trial participants (PTSD, oncology)

    Funding Style

    general operating supportunrestricted/discretionary fundingcapital campaign / capital projectstechnical assistance / capacity buildingrestricted project-specific funding (research/clinical trials)

    Topics

    economic opportunity in communities of color / local workforce & entrepreneurshiphigher education scholarships & graduate fellowshipsbasic needs security for students (food, housing, emergency aid)arts, cultural institutions & public programmingcivic engagement, voting rights & election integritymedical research and clinical trials (e.g., MDMA for PTSD, oncology)mental health programs and psychedelic-assisted therapy initiatives

    How San Francisco Foundation Gives

    Typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $82,028 at the 75th percentile, which indicates a base of modest awards with a smaller number of much larger commitments. The recent grants list shows both one-off support and repeated funding to the same recipients across years, including multiple awards to UC Berkeley Foundation, Ucsf Foundation, Tomkat Ranch Educational Foundation, Bay Area Community Services Inc, Coro Northern California Inc, and Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. The San Francisco Foundation is a mixed community foundation and also makes program-related investments, including loans and loan guarantees through its Bay Area Community Impact Fund. Its grantmaking includes both unrestricted and restricted project support, with some awards routed as advised gifts and others as direct program grants. Unsolicited applications are accepted for some programs but not others.

    Where San Francisco Foundation Makes Grants

    Grant recipients are concentrated in California, which accounts for 66% of grants, with activity centered in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, and Novato. The recent grants list also includes Bay Area cities such as Pescadero and Carpenteria, showing that the foundation’s regional focus reaches across the broader Bay Area and nearby California communities. Outside California, recent grants went to organizations in New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Washington, DC, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Los Angeles. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 3,039 grants in the United States.

    Frequently Asked Questions About San Francisco Foundation

    What kinds of programs does The San Francisco Foundation support most often?

    Its active programs center on racial equity, economic inclusion, housing and affordable housing, civic engagement and power-building, arts and culture, workforce and economic security, and impact investing. Specific program areas include leadership development, youth access to nature, the Equity Agenda pathways of People, Place, and Power, and community grants for children and youth development.

    Does The San Francisco Foundation fund through grants only?

    No. It also makes program-related investments. The Bay Area Community Impact Fund provides low-interest, long-term loans and loan guarantees to community development lenders, established nonprofits, and social enterprises for Bay Area projects aligned with its racial and economic equity agenda.

    What is the foundation’s typical grant size?

    The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $82,028 at the 75th percentile. That pattern suggests many smaller awards, with some much larger grants for scholarships, housing, infrastructure, and other strategic priorities.

    How localized is its giving?

    Very localized. California receives 66% of grants, and the foundation describes its scope as regional. Recent recipient cities include San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Novato, Pescadero, and Carpenteria, showing a strong Bay Area and California concentration.

    Are there programs that accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes, but not all of them. The Koshland Young Leader Awards and the Bay Area Community Impact Fund accept unsolicited applications, while programs such as Leadership Programs and Awards, Youth Access to Nature Fund, Grantmaking To Advance Racial Equity, and Power Pathway do not.

    SONJA VELEZ

    Accepts unsolicited proposals
    Latest 990 Filing

    2026

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from San Francisco Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Up to $10K

    San Francisco Accessibility Grant

    Who can apply: Founder Focus: All Founders; Business Stage/Types: Unspecified

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    EAST BAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONOAKLAND, CA$21,128,2832026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    HARVARD UNIVERSITYBOSTON, MA$5,685,0002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    UC BERKELEY FOUNDATIONBERKELEY, CA$4,846,8202026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONSAN FRANCISCO, CA$4,189,7352026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATIONSAN FRANCISCO, CA$3,925,0752026FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
    DUKE UNIVERSITYDURHAM, NC$3,160,5002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    UCSF FOUNDATIONSAN FRANCISCO, CA$3,072,2942026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    WADHWANI INSTITUTE FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOUNDATIONLOS ALTOS, CA$3,000,0002026FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
    COMMITTEE ON THE SHELTERLESSPETALUMA, CA$2,601,0002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    CATE SCHOOLCARPINTERIA, CA$2,532,0002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    CORO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INCSAN FRANCISCO, CA$2,522,6942026FOR PROJECT SUPPORT
    CENTER FOR THE ART OF TRANSLATIONSAN FRANCISCO, CA$2,040,2412026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    CALIFORNIA PACIFIC MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATIONSAN FRANCISCO, CA$1,871,4532026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    TIDES CENTERLOS ANGELES, CA$1,770,2502026FOR PROJECT SUPPORT
    THE ANTI POLICE-TERROR PROJECTOAKLAND, CA$1,675,0002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    SCHWAB CHARITABLE FUNDOMAHA, NE$1,631,6832026FOR PROJECT SUPPORT
    COMPASS FAMILY SERVICESSAN FRANCISCO, CA$1,573,4382026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    STANFORD UNIVERSITYSTANFORD, CA$1,566,8662026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    CENTER FOR EMPOWERED POLITICS EDUCATION FUNDOAKLAND, CA$1,528,0102026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGEPHILADELPHIA, PA$1,505,0002026FOR PROJECT SUPPORT
    FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTERSEATTLE, WA$1,500,0002026FOR PROJECT SUPPORT
    DISH SFSAN FRANCISCO, CA$1,490,0002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    OAKLAND PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDOAKLAND, CA$1,288,4062026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    CORPORATION OF THE FINE ARTS MUSEUMSSAN FRANCISCO, CA$1,251,5742026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    FIRST 5 SOLANOVALLEJO, CA$1,200,0002026FOR PROJECT SUPPORT
    REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEYBERKELEY, CA$1,196,3142026FOR PROJECT SUPPORT
    FRIENDS OF MCGILL UNIVERSITY INCNEW YORK, NY$1,175,7272026FOR PROJECT SUPPORT
    CENTER FOR EMPOWERED POLITICSOAKLAND, CA$1,100,0002026FOR PROJECT SUPPORT
    JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICESSAN FRANCISCO, CA$1,036,5782026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    EDUCATION REIMAGINEDWASHINGTON, DC$1,025,0002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    THE NATURE CONSERVANCYARLINGTON, VA$1,009,1002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SONOMA COUNTYSANTA ROSA, CA$1,005,0002026FOR PROJECT SUPPORT
    YES NATURE TO NEIGHBORHOODSRICHMOND, CA$1,003,0002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    MEDITERRANEAN ARTISTS PROJECTNEW YORK, NY$1,000,0002026FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
    FOODCORPS INCPORTLAND, OR$1,000,0002026FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
    NEW PROFIT INCBOSTON, MA$1,000,0002026FOR PROJECT SUPPORT
    ACCE INSTITUTELOS ANGELES, CA$881,0002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    THE FIELD SEMESTERBERKELEY, CA$833,3332026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    ACLU FOUNDATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIASAN FRANCISCO, CA$803,8002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    NPH ACTION FUND POLITICAL ISSUES COMMITTEESACRAMENTO, CA$777,5002026FOR PROJECT SUPPORT
    NON-PROFIT HOUSING ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIASAN FRANCISCO, CA$761,1992026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY SERVICES OF SAN FRANCISCOSAN FRANCISCO, CA$758,3902026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    CONGREGATION EMANU-ELSAN FRANCISCO, CA$734,7902026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    COMMUNITY INITIATIVESOAKLAND, CA$723,0832026FOR PROJECT SUPPORT
    WOMEN DONORS NETWORKSAN FRANCISCO, CA$677,0002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    EAST BAY HOUSING ORGANIZATIONSOAKLAND, CA$662,5002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    INSIGHT HOUSINGBERKELEY, CA$660,0002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIES LAW CENTEROAKLAND, CA$655,5002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    SOGOREA TE LAND TRUSTOAKLAND, CA$647,4362026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT
    PUBLIC ADVOCATES INCSAN FRANCISCO, CA$625,5002026FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    EAST BAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

    $21,128,283
    OAKLAND, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    HARVARD UNIVERSITY

    $5,685,000
    BOSTON, MA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    UC BERKELEY FOUNDATION

    $4,846,820
    BERKELEY, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

    $4,189,735
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

    $3,925,075
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL SUPPORT

    DUKE UNIVERSITY

    $3,160,500
    DURHAM, NC2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    UCSF FOUNDATION

    $3,072,294
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    WADHWANI INSTITUTE FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOUNDATION

    $3,000,000
    LOS ALTOS, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL SUPPORT

    COMMITTEE ON THE SHELTERLESS

    $2,601,000
    PETALUMA, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    CATE SCHOOL

    $2,532,000
    CARPINTERIA, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    CORO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INC

    $2,522,694
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR PROJECT SUPPORT

    CENTER FOR THE ART OF TRANSLATION

    $2,040,241
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    CALIFORNIA PACIFIC MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION

    $1,871,453
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    TIDES CENTER

    $1,770,250
    LOS ANGELES, CA2026

    FOR PROJECT SUPPORT

    THE ANTI POLICE-TERROR PROJECT

    $1,675,000
    OAKLAND, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    SCHWAB CHARITABLE FUND

    $1,631,683
    OMAHA, NE2026

    FOR PROJECT SUPPORT

    COMPASS FAMILY SERVICES

    $1,573,438
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    STANFORD UNIVERSITY

    $1,566,866
    STANFORD, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    CENTER FOR EMPOWERED POLITICS EDUCATION FUND

    $1,528,010
    OAKLAND, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE

    $1,505,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2026

    FOR PROJECT SUPPORT

    FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER

    $1,500,000
    SEATTLE, WA2026

    FOR PROJECT SUPPORT

    DISH SF

    $1,490,000
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    OAKLAND PUBLIC EDUCATION FUND

    $1,288,406
    OAKLAND, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    CORPORATION OF THE FINE ARTS MUSEUMS

    $1,251,574
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    FIRST 5 SOLANO

    $1,200,000
    VALLEJO, CA2026

    FOR PROJECT SUPPORT

    REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY

    $1,196,314
    BERKELEY, CA2026

    FOR PROJECT SUPPORT

    FRIENDS OF MCGILL UNIVERSITY INC

    $1,175,727
    NEW YORK, NY2026

    FOR PROJECT SUPPORT

    CENTER FOR EMPOWERED POLITICS

    $1,100,000
    OAKLAND, CA2026

    FOR PROJECT SUPPORT

    JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES

    $1,036,578
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    EDUCATION REIMAGINED

    $1,025,000
    WASHINGTON, DC2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

    $1,009,100
    ARLINGTON, VA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SONOMA COUNTY

    $1,005,000
    SANTA ROSA, CA2026

    FOR PROJECT SUPPORT

    YES NATURE TO NEIGHBORHOODS

    $1,003,000
    RICHMOND, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    MEDITERRANEAN ARTISTS PROJECT

    $1,000,000
    NEW YORK, NY2026

    FOR GENERAL SUPPORT

    FOODCORPS INC

    $1,000,000
    PORTLAND, OR2026

    FOR GENERAL SUPPORT

    NEW PROFIT INC

    $1,000,000
    BOSTON, MA2026

    FOR PROJECT SUPPORT

    ACCE INSTITUTE

    $881,000
    LOS ANGELES, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    THE FIELD SEMESTER

    $833,333
    BERKELEY, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    ACLU FOUNDATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

    $803,800
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    NPH ACTION FUND POLITICAL ISSUES COMMITTEE

    $777,500
    SACRAMENTO, CA2026

    FOR PROJECT SUPPORT

    NON-PROFIT HOUSING ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

    $761,199
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY SERVICES OF SAN FRANCISCO

    $758,390
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    CONGREGATION EMANU-EL

    $734,790
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

    $723,083
    OAKLAND, CA2026

    FOR PROJECT SUPPORT

    WOMEN DONORS NETWORK

    $677,000
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    EAST BAY HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS

    $662,500
    OAKLAND, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    INSIGHT HOUSING

    $660,000
    BERKELEY, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIES LAW CENTER

    $655,500
    OAKLAND, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    SOGOREA TE LAND TRUST

    $647,436
    OAKLAND, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT

    PUBLIC ADVOCATES INC

    $625,500
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    FOR GENERAL AND PROJECT SUPPORT