March 10, 2023 An Overview of the Marini Family Trust’s California Funding March 10, 2023/ Alyssa Ochs The Marini Family Trust operates as a family foundation and carries out the legacy of Frank Marini, a prominent San Franciscan and philanthropist. Here’s how Bay Area groups can approach this funder for support.Read More
March 09, 2023 Salesforce Stumbles, but Its Equity-Focused Philanthropy Marches On March 09, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen The tech giant has hit rocky terrain of late, but the company’s philanthropy continues to move millions. Its Catalyst Fund is supporting Black-led nonprofits promoting leadership and job skills for young people of color. Read More
February 02, 2023 Sergey Brin's Off-the-Radar Foundation Is Huge — and Growing Fast. Here’s What We Know About It February 02, 2023/ Michael Kavate Sergey Brin’s foundation has nearly $5 billion in assets and a portfolio spanning Parkinson’s disease, science and activism. It’s not known for transparency, but we do know a fair amount about what it supports and why.Read More
December 22, 2022 How the Margoes Foundation Approaches Grantmaking in the Bay Area December 22, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs Here’s an overview of how the Margoes Foundation approaches grantmaking in Northern California, with a focus on two specific funding niches.Read More
December 21, 2022 What the Marino Family Charitable Foundation Supports in California December 21, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs Gary and Gail Marino created their own family foundation after being inspired by their daughter, who was born with Down syndrome. Here are a few things to know about the Marino Family Charitable Foundation’s California giving.Read More
December 14, 2022 Can Philanthropy Help Create a Golden State for the Golden Years? December 14, 2022/ Wendy Paris Dedicated California funders are helping to design the future of aging in America by boosting new ideas, nudging along state leaders, contributing to good policy, and more.Read More
December 05, 2022 At 42 and Counting, Horizons Foundation Punches Way Above Its Weight December 05, 2022/ Dawn Wolfe An iconic LGBTQ community funder, the Bay Area-based Horizons Foundation has spent decades building up the grassroots. Today, though it’s still modest in size, its impact extends to the national and international stage.Read More
October 27, 2022 Who’s Behind the LS Foundation, and What Does It Support? October 27, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs Founded by a tech sector veteran, the LS Foundation prioritizes the Bay Area and has a few different interests that it focuses on. Here is some information about this funder and its Bay Area support.Read More
October 12, 2022 An Overview of the Richard and Emily Levin Foundation’s NorCal Grantmaking October 12, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs With deep roots in San Francisco, Richard Levin is a Bay Area millionaire who has been quietly involved in philanthropy for many years. Here are a few things to know about the foundation he created with his wife, Emily.Read More
September 26, 2022 “Our Focus Is on the Children.” A Software Giant Ups Its Commitment to Public Schools September 26, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Salesforce’s latest round of education funding zeroes in on mental health and resilient schools. It’s praiseworthy support, but begs the question: why is so much private backing for public schools even necessary?Read More
September 21, 2022 This Bay Area Billionaire’s Foundation Is Booming. Here’s What We Know About Crankstart September 21, 2022/ Michael Kavate A market boom and billions from venture capitalist Michael Moritz have catapulted Crankstart into one of the nation’s biggest grantmakers. Here’s where the money’s headed and who’s calling the shots.Read More
September 15, 2022 This Small Bay Area Funder Is at the Leading Edge of Philanthropy for Aging September 15, 2022/ Wendy Paris San Francisco’s Metta Fund works to improve health outcomes of older adults in underserved communities. The grantmaker is doing a lot of forward-thinking funding around racial equity, trust-based giving and reframing aging.Read More
August 12, 2022 An Update on the LaureL Foundation and Its Northern California Commitments August 12, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs The LaureL Foundation has shifted some of its focus and become more accessible to Northern California grantseekers. Here’s an update with what you need to know about this grantmaker.Read More
August 01, 2022 In the Housing-Starved Bay Area, a MacKenzie Scott Gift Fuels Grassroots Approaches August 01, 2022/ Martha Ramirez Thanks to a $20 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, United Way Bay Area is expanding its housing justice work. It’s one example of how the mega-donor’s unrestricted funding is being used to tackle a pressing regional need.Read More
July 21, 2022 Cash for Creators: A San Francisco Initiative Offers Guaranteed Income to Working Artists July 21, 2022/ Wendy Paris A new direct giving program aims to close the wealth gap for local artists, or at least cover supplies, with a guaranteed $1,000 a month. The cash has a surprisingly large impact, with some artists even giving a portion away.Read More
July 14, 2022 An Alternative Model for the Restaurant Industry Blooms with the Help of Philanthropy July 14, 2022/ Sarah Henry The restaurant business is known for slim profits, hard work and low pay. Through a partnership with a foundation and a funding collaborative, Oakland Bloom is one of many organizations seeking a better way.Read More
June 21, 2022 Meet Laura Lauder, a Jewish Venture Philanthropist Committed to the Bay Area June 21, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs The Laura and Gary Lauder Family Venture Philanthropy Fund has existed since 1995. Here are some details about Laura Lauder’s approach to philanthropy to guide grantseekers in the Bay Area.Read More
June 16, 2022 Supporting Democracy Dollars Is a Powerful Way Funders Can Protect Local Elections June 16, 2022/ Raúl Macías and Tiffany Mendoza, Guest Contributors Democracy in America is in a precarious state, and local elections are just as vulnerable to monied interests. Guest authors Raúl Macías and Tiffany Mendoza offer a creative solution that can help level the playing field. Read More
May 31, 2022 A Look at How Jean and E. Floyd Kvamme Give Locally in the Bay Area May 31, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs The Jean & E. Floyd Kvamme Foundation has been around since the early 1990s. Here's a brief look at the foundation’s grantmaking and its local commitment in Northern California.Read More
May 20, 2022 Silicon Valley Community Foundation's Nicole Taylor on Women's Growing Role in Philanthropy May 20, 2022/ Martha Ramirez Leading the nation’s largest community foundation, and as the first Black woman in the role, Nicole Taylor has made equity a lodestar. Here, she weighs in on SVCF’s all-woman executive team, 2020’s challenges, and more.Read More