The San Francisco Foundation
The San Francisco Foundation is one of the nation's largest community foundations, operating as a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to improving life in the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in 1948, the organization functions as a grantmaking public charity and serves as an incubator for community investment, original ideas, and passionate leadership in the region. The foundation operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.7B
+1.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$189.1M
+8.6% YoY
Grant Count
1,623
+5.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$117K
+3.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The San Francisco Foundation's 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.
Equity Agenda: Together with community leaders, nonprofits, and donors, the foundation is committed to advancing racial equity and economic inclusion to ensure that everyone in the Bay Area has a chance to get a good job, live in a safe and affordable home, and have a strong political voice.
Strategic Focus Areas: The foundation's grantmaking is structured under three interconnected strategies:
- Building power
- Creating financial well-being
- Preserving communities
Primary Funding Focus:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
Grantmaking
The San Francisco Foundation provides grant funding to approximately 3,000 nonprofit organizations each year through various mechanisms including grants, loans, leadership programs, and awards.
Grant Range
** Typical awards range from $5,095 to $34,659,201
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The San Francisco Foundation primarily funds in:
- California
- San Francisco Bay Area (primary focus)
- New York
- District of Columbia
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $1,736,547,510 (as of 2024)
Total Giving: $203,531,572 (2024)
Revenue: $200 million (2024)
Expenses: $236 million (2024)
Total Liabilities: $121 million (2024)
Staff: 122 employees (as of 2023)
Historical Investment: The foundation has invested $2.9 billion in grants since its founding to create a Bay Area where everyone can thrive.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,736,547,510 | $1,718,316,930 | $1,634,801,767 |
| Revenue | $200,001,839 | $159,316,562 | $297,436,709 |
| Expenses | $236,282,932 | $212,475,588 | $270,104,827 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $87,631,255 | $17,696,334 | $114,640,421 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from The San Francisco Foundation
Bay Area Community Impact Fund Grant
THE SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION
Amount
US $250,000 - US $3,500,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
FAITHS Community Partners Grant Program
THE SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Koshland Young Leader Awards Grant
THE SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION
Amount
US $14,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Acce Institute ($440,000), 826 Valencia ($416,850), Aim High for High School ($382,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASHER HOUSE ESTACADA, OR | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT. | $10,000 |
| 10000 DEGREES SAN RAFAEL, CA | FOR THE MERITUS COLLEGE FUND. FOR THE CHANGE MAKERS CELEBRATION. FOR GENERAL SUPPORT. | $118,000 |
| 18 REASONS SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT. | $30,000 |
| 19TH NEWS AUSTIN, TX | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT. | $62,500 |
| 1HOOD MEDIA ACADEMY PITTSBURGH, PA | TO SUPPORT HARDKNOCK RADIO. | $50,000 |
| 2030 INC SANTA FE, NM | FOR THE CARBON POSITIVE PROGRAM. | $50,000 |
| 350ORG BOSTON, MA | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT. | $22,500 |
| 4 E KENNELS HEALING HEARTS INC PAHRUMP, NV | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT. | $7,000 |
| 42ND STREET MOON SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT. | $12,000 |
| 45TH STREET ARTISTS COOPERATIVE EMERYVILLE, CA | FOR THE HORTON/HOLDEN ROOF REPAIRS REPLACEMENT FUND. FOR GENERAL SUPPORT. | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
CEO: Fred Blackwell
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT FRIEDMAN | CHAIR | 8 | — |
| DAVID IBNALE | VICE-CHAIR | 4 | — |
| KIMBERLY WICOFF | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ABDI SOLTANI | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| SERGIO GARCIA | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| YVETTE RADFORD | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MOLLY FORD | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JUSTINA LAI | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JUSTIN STEELE | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ROBERT UYEKI | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MIGUEL BUSTOS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| HOLLY KERNAN | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| LATEEFAH SIMON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| FRED BLACKWELL | CEO | 37.5 | $496,241 |
| SONJA VELEZ | CFO | 37.5 | $335,566 |
| GALEN MANESS | COO | 37.5 | $316,473 |
| JUDITH BELL | CIO | 37.5 | $310,417 |
| REHANA ABBAS | CPO | 37.5 | $284,087 |
| VALERIE GOODE | CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | 37.5 | $271,168 |
| KHANH RUSSO | VP OF POLICY & INNOVATION | 37.5 | $227,823 |
| RAQUIBA LABRIE | VP, PROGRAMS | 37.5 | $220,680 |
| MICHAEL BANKERT | CONTROLLER | 37.5 | $204,440 |
| MARK DOHERTY | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF INVESTMENTS | 37.5 | $189,631 |
| PAMELA DOHERTY | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PLANNED GIVING | 37.5 | $189,461 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation stepped up support for local arts groups following federal funding cuts
KACF-SF (Korean American Community Foundation-San Francisco), a fund of the San Francisco Foundation, awarded $400,000 in community grants in support of the Korean American community
KACF-SF Awards $400,000 in Community Grants in Support of the Korean AmericanThe San Francisco Foundation awarded $75,000 in equity grants to organizations including The Unity Council
KACF-SF Awards $400,000 in Community Grants in Support of the Korean AmericanThe foundation supported temporary public art initiatives in the Bay Area
Foundation Awards $834,000 For Temporary Public Art - Kenneth Rainin FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The San Francisco Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The San Francisco Foundation's 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. **Equity Agenda:** Together with community leaders, nonprofits, and donors, the foundation is committed to advancing racial equity and economic inclusion to ensure that everyone in the Bay Area has a chance to get a good job, live in a safe and affordable home, and hav…
How do I apply for a grant from The San Francisco Foundation?
The San Francisco Foundation provides grant funding to approximately 3,000 nonprofit organizations each year through various mechanisms including grants, loans, leadership programs, and awards. **Grant Range:** Typical awards range from $5,095 to $34,659,201 **Active Grant Opportunities Include:** • SFF: Murphy Award and Cadogan Scholarships • Rapid Response Fund for Movement Building • Multicultural Fellowship Program • Koshland Young Leader Awards • FAITHS Community Partners Grant Program • B…
Where does The San Francisco Foundation make grants?
The San Francisco Foundation primarily funds in: • California • San Francisco Bay Area (primary focus) • New York • District of Columbia
What size grants does The San Francisco Foundation award?
In 2024, The San Francisco Foundation awarded 1,623 grants totaling $189.1M — an average of about $117K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The San Francisco Foundation's EIN?
The San Francisco Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0679337. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The San Francisco Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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