Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- San Francisco Foundation
- Abstract:
- Contains office records, dockets, grant files, Buck Trust trial transcripts, newsletters, press releases, clippings, and other miscellaneous papers. Also included are manuscripts of the winning entries for the Joseph Henry Jackson Award, and the James D. Phelan Award.
- Extent:
- 317 cartons, 1 box, 1 volume 397 linear feet
- Language:
- Collection materials are in English
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Records of the San Francisco Foundation document the history of the foundation from its founding in 1948 through the present. Included is correspondence, files kept by the Foundation on the various awardees, records of the Board of Directors and publicity materials. The collection has been divided into eleven series: General Information; Minutes; Board Dockets; Buck Trial; Clippings; Grant Files; Director's Discretionary Grants; Capital Grants; Technical Assistance Grant; Literary Awards; and Miscellaneous.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The San Francisco Foundation is a leading agent of Bay Area philanthropy. They rank seventh in grantmaking and assets among the nation's community foundations. They cultivate a family of donors who share a commitment to the Bay Area. They give millions of dollars a year to build on community assets, respond to community needs, and elevate public awareness.
In 1948, a small group of forward-looking civic leaders, led by the late Daniel Koshland, started The San Francisco Foundation with the help of a small founding grant from The Columbia Foundation. "Mr. Koshland and his colleagues sought a vehicle to pull the community together to create pride and unity and improve quality of life," says current Foundation CEO Sandra Hernández, MD, noting that this basic mission continues to this day.
From these visionary beginnings, The San Francisco Foundation has become one of the nation's largest community foundations with $800 million in assets. This growth reflects both strong fiscal stewardship and a vibrant philanthropic spirit in San Francisco and the Bay Area. The Foundation continues to build on Mr. Koshland's vision with its $65 million in annual grantmaking, its Koshland Neighborhood Program, Community Leadership Awards, various neighborhood and affinity based initiatives, community convenings, and other programs designed to work with community leaders and nonprofits to improve the quality of life in the Bay Area.
The San Francisco Foundation addresses community needs by supporting innovative ideas and strengthening existing nonprofit organizations that lack sufficient resources or infrastructure. As a regional community foundation serving San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Mateo counties, it focuses in the areas of community health, education, arts and culture, neighborhood and community development, the environment, and social justice.
Important and successful efforts catalyzed by the Foundation's support include: KQED, The Trust for Public Land, Bridge Housing, and On Lok Senior Health Services. "The San Francisco Foundation and the organizations we work with reflect the diversity of the Bay Area's residents and communities," adds Dr. Hernández.
Taken from the San Francisco Foundation Website: http://www.sff.org/
- Acquisition information:
- The San Francisco Foundation Records were given to The Bancroft Library by the San Francisco Foundation on February 24, 1988. Additions were made in 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2002-2006, 2012.
- Physical location:
- Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
-
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft LibraryBerkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
- Contact:
- 510-642-6481