San Francisco Foundation
San Francisco Foundation
EIN: 01-0679337
as of October 2024
as of October 15, 2024
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Imagine a Bay Area where everyone thrives. This is a place where every resident can make a good living and leave a nest egg for the next generation. It's a place where everyone has an affordable place to call home, and where each person can use their voice to shape the decisions that affect their lives. It's a place where everyone feels that they can belong. We can walk down our street and see the businesses around us owned by members of our community, preserving our diverse culture. Our kids can go to a school that allows them to feel safe and grounded, and which prepares them for success. Our prospects for success have no relationship to our zip code or the color of our skin. This is our goal. We know that there is much work to do to achieve this vision, but we also believe that this brighter future is worth striving toward. This future we envision is better for everyone. This is what we at the San Francisco Foundation are working to achieve. We hope you'll join us in building it.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Grantmaking to Advance Racial Equity & Economic Inclusion
We have intentionally prioritized race and socioeconomic status in our grantmaking because our policies and systems have created barriers for low-income people of color when it comes to housing, education, criminal justice, jobs, and civic participation. The future of the Bay Area depends on our ability to ensure that everyone can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. These interconnected strategies — building power, creating financial well-being, and preserving communities — work together to make our region more equitable, healthier, happier, and more prosperous.
Program-Related Investment
SFF's Bay Area Community Impact Fund provides nonprofit organizations and social enterprises with low-interest, long-term loans and loan guarantees. These investments are also known as Program-Related Investments (PRIs). The goal of this fund is to finance high-impact projects that align with our racial and economic equity agenda in underinvested communities. The Fund primarily lends to community development lenders and established nonprofits with demonstrated ability to use and repay loans. By providing nonprofits with access to affordable capital, our fund enables organizations to expand their activities and finance high-impact projects. As loans are repaid, the fund uses the money to invest in new projects, recycling capital to the continuing benefit of the region. PRIs are an important complement to the foundation’s grantmaking, supporting our mission and amplifying our programmatic impact in a sustainable way.
Art Awards
The foundation bestows artistic awards in literature, visual arts, and playwriting each year to artists who exemplify a commitment to the ever expanding notion of the essential role of art and artists in the world.
Community Leadership Awards
This award celebrate visionary leaders doing extraordinary work to strengthen Bay Area communities. The work may confront societal or civic issues, address health or environmental concerns, or promote arts and humanities.
Koshland Young Leader Awards
This award recognizes the next generation of leadership in the community, providing awards to outstanding San Francisco public high school students who balance extraordinary family, economic and societal pressures with the discipline required for academic excellence, and the drive to succeed at community leadership
Koshland Civic Unity Awards
The foundation seeks to: 1) build the self-awareness and confidence needed for individuals to be creative and effective leaders in their neighborhoods; 2) stimulate personal and professional growth among neighborhood leaders; 3) increase understanding among different types of people within neighborhoods; and 4) promote the concept that nurturing these differences is a crucial element in solving neighborhood problems
Collaboratives
Together with our partners, the San Francisco Foundation is tackling challenges to housing, employment, access to transit, and civic participation in the Bay Area. The collaborative efforts including ReWork the Bay, Great Communities Collaborative, HOPE SF, Keep Oakland Housed, Partnership for the Bay's Future, and Oakland Codes, allow funders, donors, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to pool resources and expertise to create large-scale, long-term solutions to these challenges. Our foundation serves as a leader for these efforts, providing backbone functions that include convenings, research, community engagement, and administration.
Rapid Response Fund for Movement Building
The Rapid Response Fund for Movement Building provides quick-turnaround funds to frontline social justice organizations that are strengthening the voice and power of low-income residents and people of color. The fund offers grassroots organizations small, one-time grants within 30 days of receiving a funding request.
Arts and Culture
The foundation invests in change through arts and culture because artistic expression is a human right. The arts constitute an integral component of a healthy community, building bridges across generations, gender, and ethnicity
Multicultural Fellowship Program
The Foundation’s two-year philanthropic leadership development program. The fellowship equips emerging leaders of color with the experience, knowledge, and network within the power structure of philanthropy to increase racial equity and economic inclusion in the Bay Area. For more than 30 years, the Multicultural Fellowship has been a career accelerator for leaders who are motivated, creative agents of change. The fellows’ experiences and perspectives shape, influence, and challenge the foundation’s work as well. Fellows have developed new initiatives, strengthened the approach of the work of the foundation, and brought experiences in that too often are unheard in philanthropy.
Policy & Innovation
Supporting policy and systems change efforts is one of the most important tools we can use to advance racial equity and economic inclusion in the Bay Area. Our Policy & Innovation Team focuses on identifying and advocating for policy solutions that are backed up by research, informed by the lived experiences of residents in the Bay Area, and led by our partner community-based organizations.
We focus our systems change efforts on policies that advance racial and economic equity, ensure that all Bay Area residents have a safe and affordable place to call home, and build long-term power among people living on low incomes and communities of color. Our current priority policy efforts include affordable housing, worker rights (including immigrant worker rights), and fines and fees related to the criminal legal system. These priorities continue to evolve based on community need and opportunity.
Where we work
Accreditations
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of convenings hosted by the organization
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Total dollar amount of grants awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Working with donors, grantees, civic leaders, and policymakers, we are focused on ensuring that everyone in the Bay Area has a chance to become financially stable, to live in a safe and affordable home, and to exercise their political voice.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
1- SFF consistently utilizes its grantmaking, relationships, and leadership to achieve impact and advance the Equity Agenda.
2- SFF raises funds and influences donors and institutional funders to move resources to the Equity Agenda.
3- SFF utilizes operational effectiveness and financial sustainability to advance the Equity Agenda.
4- SFF has a communications strategy that pulls people in, influences public discourse, and moves people to action to advance the Equity Agenda.
5- SFF has an internal culture and decision-making approach that are commensurate with and aligned to the Foundation’s Equity Agenda.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Financials
Financial documents
Download audited financialsRevenue vs. expenses: breakdown
Liquidity in 2023 info
10.74
Months of cash in 2023 info
0
Fringe rate in 2023 info
26%
Funding sources info
Assets & liabilities info
Financial data
San Francisco Foundation
Balance sheetFiscal Year: Jul 01 - Jun 30
The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.
Fiscal Year: Jul 01 - Jun 30
This snapshot of San Francisco Foundation’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.
Created in partnership with
Business model indicators
Profitability info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation | -$27,708,576 | $28,220,830 | $147,749,893 | -$90,190,180 | $38,290,977 |
As % of expenses | -14.1% | 11.1% | 73.9% | -33.4% | 18.0% |
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation | -$27,922,763 | $27,963,918 | $147,440,792 | -$90,468,305 | $38,044,488 |
As % of expenses | -14.2% | 11.0% | 73.6% | -33.5% | 17.9% |
Revenue composition info | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) | $190,328,961 | $341,484,551 | $318,173,727 | $297,436,709 | $159,316,562 |
Total revenue, % change over prior year | 8.9% | 79.4% | -6.8% | -6.5% | -46.4% |
Program services revenue | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Membership dues | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Investment income | 6.3% | 3.1% | 3.2% | 3.6% | 11.0% |
Government grants | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3.0% |
All other grants and contributions | 63.6% | 66.0% | 58.2% | 61.4% | 85.7% |
Other revenue | 30.2% | 30.9% | 38.5% | 34.9% | 0.3% |
Expense composition info | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total expenses before depreciation | $196,404,552 | $254,050,111 | $200,017,625 | $269,826,702 | $212,229,099 |
Total expenses, % change over prior year | 9.1% | 29.4% | -21.3% | 34.9% | -21.3% |
Personnel | 5.9% | 5.2% | 7.5% | 5.8% | 8.0% |
Professional fees | 5.0% | 3.1% | 5.3% | 2.6% | 3.3% |
Occupancy | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Pass-through | 87.0% | 89.8% | 84.9% | 89.5% | 85.5% |
All other expenses | 1.6% | 1.4% | 1.7% | 1.6% | 2.6% |
Full cost components (estimated) info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total expenses (after depreciation) | $196,618,739 | $254,307,023 | $200,326,726 | $270,104,827 | $212,475,588 |
One month of savings | $16,367,046 | $21,170,843 | $16,668,135 | $22,485,559 | $17,685,758 |
Debt principal payment | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Fixed asset additions | $0 | $338,014 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Total full costs (estimated) | $212,985,785 | $275,815,880 | $216,994,861 | $292,590,386 | $230,161,346 |
Capital structure indicators
Liquidity info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Months of cash | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
Months of cash and investments | 90.5 | 70.4 | 111.5 | 71.0 | 94.0 |
Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets | 32.8 | 26.7 | 42.8 | 27.7 | 37.4 |
Balance sheet composition info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash | $1,355,183 | $3,692,879 | $5,453,144 | $1,267,549 | $81,492 |
Investments | $1,479,693,180 | $1,487,666,638 | $1,852,701,911 | $1,596,224,783 | $1,661,927,081 |
Receivables | $7,933,198 | $11,366,629 | $22,698,385 | $6,478,470 | $12,517,745 |
Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) | $4,926,958 | $5,264,972 | $5,267,980 | $5,330,772 | $5,371,331 |
Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) | 84.1% | 83.6% | 89.4% | 93.6% | 97.5% |
Liabilities (as a % of assets) | 4.1% | 5.4% | 5.0% | 5.6% | 6.4% |
Unrestricted net assets | $538,200,788 | $566,164,706 | $713,607,375 | $623,139,070 | $661,183,558 |
Temporarily restricted net assets | $804,262,828 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Permanently restricted net assets | $113,333,234 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Total restricted net assets | $917,596,062 | $881,035,894 | $1,102,390,962 | $920,037,751 | $947,757,688 |
Total net assets | $1,455,796,850 | $1,447,200,600 | $1,815,998,337 | $1,543,176,821 | $1,608,941,246 |
Key data checks
Key data checks info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Material data errors | No | No | No | No | No |
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Documents
CEO
Mr. Fred Blackwell
Fred Blackwell is the CEO of the San Francisco Foundation, one of the largest community foundations in the country. Since joining the foundation in 2014, Blackwell has led it in a renewed commitment to social justice through an equity agenda focused on racial equity and economic inclusion. An Oakland native, Blackwell is a nationally recognized community leader. Prior to joining the foundation, he served as interim city administrator for the city of Oakland, the executive director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, and director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Development in San Francisco.
Number of employees
Source: IRS Form 990
San Francisco Foundation
Officers, directors, trustees, and key employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
San Francisco Foundation
Highest paid employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
San Francisco Foundation
Board of directorsas of 07/27/2023
Board of directors data
Ophelia Basgal
UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation
Robert (Bob) Friedman
Prosperity Now
Fred Blackwell
San Francisco Foundation
Robert (Bob) Friedman
Prosperity Now
Kimberly Wicoff
San Francisco Education Fund
David ibnAle
Advance Venture Partners
Yvette Radford
Kaiser Permanente
Abdi Soltani
ACLU Northern California
Molly Q. Ford
Global Equality Programs, Salesforce
Justina Lai
Wetherby Asset Management
Justin Steele
Google.org
Bob Uyeki
Lateefah Simon
MeadowFund
Holly Kernan
KQED
Miguel Bustos
Grace Cathedral
Ophelia B. Basgal
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as: