San Francisco Foundation
Contact information:
25 Bush Street, Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: 415-733-8500
Fax: 415-477-2783
Website: http://www.sff.org
Type of foundation: Community
Types of grants: Project, capacity-building, general operating. The Foundation also issues RFPs for projects that it initiates.
Description: The Foundation's mission is to mobilize resources and act as a catalyst for change to build strong communities, foster civic leadership, and promote philanthropy. The Foundation makes discretionary grants to organizations in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties in the following areas:
- Arts and culture: Giving in this area aims to increase access to and participation in cultural and artistic experiences; support programs that foster creativity and civic participation for children and youth; support projects that expand and diversify audiences for artistic and cultural presentations; build communities; support the presentation of diverse artistic practices.
- Community development: Promote sustainable livelihoods and stable, affordable neighborhoods for individuals and families.
- Community health: Improve the health of communities, particularly underserved populations, by expanding access to services, promoting prevention to reduce illness and advancing health policy reform.
- Education: Support families and communities to help children and youth succeed in school and provide opportunities for them to become confident, caring and contributing adults.
- Environment: To promote environmentally sustainable practices and equitable development that guarantee livable communities and healthy environments.
Sample grants:
- $30,000 over two years to KQED to support the production of SPARK, a television series highlighting Bay Area artists and arts organizations, educational outreach programs and an interactive website.
- $15,000 to Bay Area Video Coalition to support Frameworks, a program offering professional development and artistic opportunities for local media artists.
- $15,000 to Youth Radio to support workshops for low-income youth focused on media literacy and media production, and to support youth in creating media content for radio, web and print media.
- $10,528 to KALW to support arts reporting on the evening news program, Crosscurrents, and companion Morning Edition segments.
Fit for public broadcasting: There is a good fit for public media initiatives in the five counties served by the Foundation. The best fit is for projects that directly advance one or more of the Foundation's key program goals. (Many individual donors also give through donor-advised funds managed by the Foundation.)
Eligibility: Applicants must have 501(c)(3) status and must be classified as "not a private foundation" under 509(a). They must provide service in one of the five Bay Area counties. Organizations may apply for up to three consecutive years of support.
Grants will not be awarded for:
- Multiple or overlapping grants to the same organization (separate university programs are considered separate entities).
- Projects outside the five Bay Area counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo.
- Medical, academic or scientific research.
- Religious activities (although religious institutions may apply for nonsectarian activities).
- Direct assistance to individuals.
- Conferences or one-time events.
Deadlines: January, July
How to apply: For the Spring 2010 grant cycle, the Foundation will only accept proposals by invitation. This is an interim change while the Foundation completes a new strategic plan (expected to be done in early 2010).
When the Foundation again accepts unsolicited proposals, application is via an online form accessible at the Grantee Center.
Information and guidelines are available here.
Giving range: Arts grants go up to approximately $50,000, but most are $15,000 or below.
Assets: $904,494,000 (year ending June 30, 2009)
Total giving: $7,321,000 (year ending June 30, 2009)
