annual-report-2020.siliconvalleycf.org2020 Annual Report - Silicon Valley Community Foundation - Home

Letter from the President & Board Chair Timeline Our Work COVID-19 Racial Justice Partnerships Wildfire Relief Fund Civic Participation Census Board and Advisors Impact Spotlight Visionaries The von Emster Family Karen Law LinkedIn By The Numbers Grants, Gifts, Scholarships and Expenses Consolidated Financials 5 Things We Learned A Look Ahead 2020 Annual Report Creating a More Equitable Silicon Valley In 2020, a global pandemic upended all our lives, the murder of George Floyd ignited a wave of racial justice movements, and wildfires devastated significant swaths of our state. We faced a difficult election season and crucial census count. So much was at stake. As a community foundation, SVCF knows the strengths and the needs of our local communities, and we translate this knowledge into strategies that influence and inspire our donors and partners to act. We work collaboratively in our community to pursue equity and deliver support for those who face the greatest challenges because of systemic injustices. And when disasters arise, we swiftly convene with our partners — including other community foundations — to pool capital and drive resources to those most in need. Last year, in concert with our partners, we raised $65 million in COVID response funds, supporting hundreds of thousands of families, businesses and nonprofit organizations across the 10-county Bay Area region. Thanks to our donors, in 2020, nonprofit organizations received $1.95 billion — and $524 million of that stayed right here in the Bay Area, helping local organizations do vital work. Stories of those inspiring individuals, organizations and partnerships are featured here in our annual report. We are very proud of all we accomplished during very challenging times. We extend our sincere gratitude to our donors, community partners and staff. Our work is not possible without you. Nicole Taylor President and CEO Wade W. Loo Chair, Board of Directors 2020 AT A GLANCE January SVCF establishes four pillar goals that will guide our work in 2020 and beyond. Among them: Center equity in all our initiatives and reduce systemic disparities in our communities. February As the first cases of COVID-19 appear in the Bay Area, SVCF launches the region’s first COVID response fund and partners with the CDC Foundation to host a briefing call for donors. March Recognizing the economic havoc wrought by shutdown orders, SVCF partners with eight sister community foundations to evolve our COVID-19 response fund into a regional effort to support low-income families across the 10-county Bay Area. April SVCF spearheads fundraising for seven COVID-19 response funds — which support individuals and families, nonprofits, education, childcare, small businesses, and Santa Clara County- and San Mateo County-specific communities. The result: $65M+ raised. May SVCF executives join the Silicon Valley Recovery Roundtable, ensuring that equity and inclusivity are central themes to planning for community recovery efforts. June SVCF convenes local leaders of color for the inaugural meeting of our Community Advisory Council. Goals: Prioritize community voices in our work and continue advancing racial justice in our region. July SVCF and dozens of other funders begin initial planning for the California Black Freedom Fund , a first-of-its-kind effort to raise $100 million and support Black movement-based organizations across the state. August Voting rights activist Stacey Abrams meets with SVCF donors to sound the alarm about supporting civic engagement and voting. September In two weeks, SVCF raises $2 million for the Santa Clara and San Mateo County Wildfire Relief Fund to support organizations helping victims of local wildfires. October The embattled 2020 census closes. San Mateo County and Santa Clara County report the highest self-response rates in the country — a testament to the work of SVCF’s grantees. November SVCF donors pledge historic philanthropic support for elections. To support civic engagement and community healing beyond the elections, SVCF launches our Community Catalyst Fund. December Thanks to the generosity of our donors, SVCF grants $1.95 billion to local, national and international nonprofit organizations by year’s end. Visionaries Profile: von Emster Family The von Emster Family Beth von Emster and her husband, Kurt, increased their annual grantmaking by more than 275% in 2020 as community need soared. Profile: Karen Law Karen Law As an investor in a smarter, better-connected future,” Karen Law is committed to building and strengthening communities, one connection at a time. And her donor advised fund at SVCF helps make that happen. Profile: LinkedIn LinkedIn The company sharpened its mission of addressing opportunity gaps for job seekers in 2020. Visionaries Profile: von Emster Family Profile: Karen Law Profile: LinkedIn The von Emster Family Beth von Emster and her husband, Kurt, increased their annual grantmaking by more than 275% in 2020 as community need soared. Karen Law As an investor in a smarter, better-connected future,” Karen Law is committed to building and strengthening communities, one connection at a time. And her donor advised fund at SVCF helps make that happen. LinkedIn The company sharpened its mission of addressing opportunity gaps for job seekers in 2020. IMPACT SPOTLIGHT Delivering Help to Farmworkers on the North Coast Ayudando Latinos A Soñar provides food, personal protective equipment and support to Bay Area farmworkers during pandemic. + Show More Feeding Families in Need Food insecurity was already a problem in Silicon Valley before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and when it did, demand skyrocketed. At the main pantry site alone, we were up 300 percent over normal,” says Bart Charlow, CEO of Samaritan House, an anti-poverty organization in San Mateo County. Money from SVCF’s Regional Response Fund and Nonprofit Emergency Fund has helped many area groups like Samaritan House, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley and The Health Trust meet the rising need. [SVCF was] one of the first to invite proposals for emergency COVID response,” says Michele Lew, CEO of The Health Trust. When people who are hungry or homebound call you, it’s difficult to say no. We are eternally grateful for the fast and flexible funding that enables us to get meals to those who are hungry.” + Show More Investing in Black-Led Organizations California is home to the sixth largest Black population in the country, yet trails the nation in funding infrastructure for Black-led organizations. The California Black Freedom Fund looks to change that. This five-year, $100 million initiative will fund Black-led movements and organizations statewide with the investments and resources needed to fight systemic and institutional racism. The fund is a collaboration among many partners, including more than 20 foundations; SVCF provides administrative support and fiscal management. The fund is the first state-based fund of its kind and aims to support grassroots advocates and community leaders who are transforming our region, our state and our world. Nearly $9 million in general operating grants has been awarded to 74 Black-led groups across California. + Show More Extending a Lifeline to the Homeless Community WeHOPE offers critical services, like handwashing stations and virtual medical assessments, to unhoused residents. + Show More Rallying for the Region In a county where one out of every 10 families lives in poverty, nonprofits and foundations are faced with a double-edged sword: They have more people to support and fewer people with the means to offer support. Solano County is the poster child for inequity in the Bay Area,” says Dr. Lori Allio, director of strategic partnerships and advancement at Solano Community Foundation. With COVID-19, the need only grew, so when SVCF reached out to offer a partnership and grant funds, Allio says, it was quite literally a lifesaver. The help was made possible through SVCF’s Regional...