Guidelines

The Trust accepts inquiries from charitable organizations (those with 501(c)(3) registration or those affiliated with a certified fiscal sponsor) based in the nine Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma).  Requests must fall within one of the Trust’s three areas of focus.

Because of the Trust’s strong roots in San Francisco and its tradition of supporting innovative, entrepreneurial programs, preference will be given to organizations founded and based in the Bay Area.

The Trust does not award multi-year grants.  Organizations must apply annually.  An organization may be funded up to two times in a three-year period, but after that, they are asked to refrain from applying for a three-year period.  This policy enables the Trust to fund a variety of deserving programs over time.

Organizations receiving funding will be asked to submit reports on their progress at six and twelve month intervals.

The Trust does not make grants to individuals.  Capital campaigns, annual giving programs, scholarship programs and equipment purchases are given lower priority.