Hellman Foundation’s Post

The Hellman Foundation is committed to supporting positive change in the San Francisco Bay Area and we see the pressing needs that exist now. These needs are the reason we’re changing our funding approach. We have decided to accelerate our giving in the near term, spend all funding and close the foundation’s doors by the end of 2034.   We’re committed to this approach that will meet urgent community needs, lay the groundwork for systemic change and make it possible for communities in the Bay Area to live fuller lives with access to an abundance of opportunities. Although the Hellman Foundation will close by 2034, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will continue.   In the coming years, we will be sharing learnings about our spend-down journey to help funders move beyond traditional grantmaking and better share decision-making and power with grantees and community members.

We're proud to be included in this Inside Philanthropy piece highlighting funders that are supporting partners doing critical policy work to address food insecurity and hunger. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gZYHah2E You can learn more about our $20 million, five year initiative with Food for Health Collective San Francisco here: https://lnkd.in/gwkFVBeh #philanthropy #foodismedicine #foodjustice #foodsecurity #foundations

Excellent article by Constance Matthiessen of Inside Philanthropy about the important work of the San Francisco Education Fund, a unique coalition of funders, nonprofits, local government, and the San Francisco Unified School District working together to enhance literacy outcomes for the city's students. In 2022, the Hellman Foundation invested seed funding in the Literacy Coalition, a project of the San Francisco Education Fund. According to Associate Director, Dorian Luey, “The coalition is working in lockstep with the district. They understand what the gaps are, they're filling those gaps with all of the community-based organizations that are working in literacy. And then with groups that are also at the table, they're engaging the parents and families to hold the district accountable for student success.” Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gJxwDiFX #sanfrancisco #education #philanthropy #literacy

The Hellman Foundation is proud to join California Black Freedom Fund, legal experts, and advocates to launch the LEAD for Racial Justice Initiative. LEAD offers education and tools to help nonprofits conduct racial justice work in the current legal landscape. Visit their website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/e3rQmzDb

"Our role [as a funder] is to listen, to learn, and to provide partnership where helpful." – Pedro Arista, Hellman Foundation This excellent San Francisco Examiner article profiles local public-private partnership efforts, led by the Food as Medicine Collaborative, to expand access to healthy foods for low-income and minority communities. Next week the California State Assembly Committee on Health will consider a bill, introduced by Oakland Assemblymember Mia Bonta, to make medically supportive food and nutrition services a permanent benefit for Medi-Cal recipients. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/geRwezUi #foodismedicine #bayarea #philanthropy #foodjustice

Join this fascinating webinar with Catchafire and The Grove Foundation, featuring Hellman Foundation directors, Anna Luna and Laurel Severt, about capacity building strategies for grantmakers.

Applications now open for the Hellman Collaborative Change Initiative! This year we will award up to four grants to support bold cross-sector collaborations in Alameda and San Francisco Counties that are tackling our toughest community challenges.    We are eager to invest in collaborations that are: - Developing concrete solutions to expand equity and opportunity.  - Working collaboratively to tackle critical local issues, including our priority areas of health, education, and equitable opportunities.  - Advancing ambitious goals by engaging across sectors, including the public sector, private sector, and academia.  - Launching and piloting innovative strategies OR building momentum and scaling proven solutions for sustainable systems change. Visit our website to learn how to apply: https://lnkd.in/duhqsfqH and register for the upcoming informational webinar on February 13th from 10-11am PT to learn more: https://lnkd.in/dyCqc7v8 #bayarea #nonprofits #socialimpact #funding #grants #philanthropy