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.

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.

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.

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.

March 01, 2022

How the Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. Foundation Gives in the Bay Area

March 01, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs

The Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. Foundation focuses its grantmaking on San Francisco and the broader Bay Area region. Here are some important details to know.

January 27, 2022

How Jordan and Sarah Hymowitz Give in the Bay Area

January 27, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs

Jordan and Sarah Hymowitz maintain a low profile, but have emerged as significant Bay Area philanthropists. Here’s what we know about the Hymowitz Family Foundation and its giving in and around San Francisco.

September 30, 2021

A Focus on Immigration: The Basics of the Chavez Family Foundation’s Bay Area Giving

September 30, 2021/ Alyssa Ochs

The Chavez Family Foundation is a San Francisco-based grantmaker that is often involved in immigration-related collaborations. Here's how local nonprofits in nine Bay Area counties can get involved with this funder.

August 11, 2021

Three Things to Know About the Nancy and Joachim Bechtle Foundation

August 11, 2021/ Alyssa Ochs

Nancy and Joachim Bechtle are key figures in San Francisco’s nonprofit world, with a long track record of supporting many of the city’s leading cultural institutions. We take a closer look at the couple’s priorities and recent grantmaking.

May 21, 2021

A Look at the Horizons Foundation’s Bay Area Giving

May 21, 2021/ Alyssa Ochs

Although the Horizons Foundation is first and foremost an LGBTQ funder, it also frequently gives close to its home base in San Francisco. Here’s a look at the foundation’s recent giving in the Bay Area.

May 20, 2021

How the GreenLight Fund Fights Poverty in the Bay Area

May 20, 2021/ Alyssa Ochs

To help Bay Area grantseekers get to know the GreenLight Fund San Francisco better, here are some important things to know about how this unique fund operates.

March 29, 2021

What to Know About the Bay Area-Based Hoefer Family Foundation

March 29, 2021/ Alyssa Ochs

Founded by businessman Alan Hoefer, the Hoefer Family Foundation funds causes like higher education, health and the environment, mostly in the vicinity of the San Francisco Bay Area. Here are some basics on its giving.

Based on what we know so far about businessman Alan Hoefer’s giving, here are some basics to know about the low-profile Hoefer Family Foundation and its Bay Area-centered giving.

February 03, 2021

Another Haas Fund Worth Getting to Know in the Bay Area

February 03, 2021/ Alyssa Ochs

Distinct from the well-known Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the more under-the-radar Ginnie and Peter Haas Jr. Fund also funds in the Bay Area. Here are a few essential details for grantseekers to know.

January 02, 2021

Understanding the Gruber Family Foundation’s Giving in the Bay Area

January 02, 2021/ Alyssa Ochs

Here are the top things that grantseekers in California’s Bay Area should know about the Gruber Family Foundation.

December 03, 2020

What San Francisco Grantseekers Should Know About the Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund

December 03, 2020/ Alyssa Ochs

Here are the top things that San Francisco nonprofits should know about the Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund’s priorities and local commitments.

April 16, 2020

What Has the Friedman Family Foundation Been Doing in the Bay Area Lately?

April 16, 2020/ Alyssa Ochs

Small family foundations are key players in the fight against Bay Area poverty, including the Friedman Family Foundation. Here’s an update about Friedman’s approach for local grantseekers.

February 09, 2020

Who’s Behind the Bay Area-Focused Dsea Wong Foundation?

February 09, 2020/ Alyssa Ochs

To help inform local grantseekers, here are a few facts to know about the Dsea Wong Foundation and its low-key giving strategy in the San Francisco Bay Area.

September 19, 2019

A New Pooled Fund is Engaging Young Tech Founders Early in Their Careers

September 19, 2019/ Alyssa Ochs

Schox Philanthropy is yet more evidence of the intense interest among young entrepreneurs in engaging in giving. We chat with the principals to learn more about how the model works and what it’s funding.

November 30, 2018

Water Work: How the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation Protects Fresh Water

November 30, 2018/ Julia Travers

With freshwater under threat across the West, foundations have stepped up work in this area in recent years. The S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, which is spending down by 2020, has been a key player on water issues.

October 03, 2018

“Our North Star.” What We Can Learn from One Equity Funder’s Journey So Far

October 03, 2018/ Alyssa Ochs

The San Francisco Foundation shifted to an equity grantmaking strategy over two years ago, an early adopter of a focus that’s become a driving force in philanthropy. How’s that been working out? And what are key takeaways for other funders?