The San Francisco Foundation
OVERVIEW: The San Francisco Foundation awards LGBTQ grants to organizations working in the Bay Area.
IP TAKE: With over $1 billion in assets, the San Francisco Foundation is an important source of funding for Bay Area organizations of all sizes. This funder does not run a specific program for LGBTQ causes, but has given to LGBTQ organizations across all of its grantmaking, investment and awards programs. Grantseekers should note that funding opportunities change and evolve frequently and that it is worthwhile to check the foundation’s funding opportunities page frequently, as most programs run open application programs with varying guidelines and due dates.
PROFILE: In 1948, a group of forward-thinking philanthropists and civic leaders established The San Francisco Foundation as “a contemporary agency sensitive to current social needs and one which will help build the future which will magnify the opportunities of generations yet to be born.” Today, the foundation’s grantmaking focuses on racial equity, community faith-based organizations and rapid response grants for movement building. The foundation also makes low-interest investments community organizations and small businesses and runs awards programs for the San Francisco area’s impactful artists and young leaders.
This funder supports LGBTQ causes across all of its grantmaking and awards programs. Recent grantees include the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center, the Transgender, Gender Variant and Intersex Justice Project and the Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center.
The San Francisco Foundation maintains over $1 billion in assets and makes over $100 million in grants a year. Grants generally range from $5,000 to $500,000, with grants over over $1 million made only occasionally. The foundation’s average grant size is about $30,000. SFF’s grantees include a broad range of large, well-established nonprofits and smaller community-led groups. Grantmaking is mainly limited to the San Francisco area. For additional information about past grantmaking, see the foundation’s recent tax filings.
The San Francisco Foundation offers information about its current funding opportunities on its website. Grantseekers should note that programs change frequently and are advised to check the foundation’s site periodically for updates and changes to application procedures. Grantsseekers may also connect with individual staff members, whose contact information is available at the foundation’s team page.
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