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Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund

Annual Giving
$14.6M
Grant Range
Up to $0.0M00

Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $14.6 million (FY 2023)
  • Grant Range: Individual assistance up to $5,000 through partner agencies; food bank grants $2+ million annually
  • Geographic Focus: Nine Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma)
  • Total Distributed Since 1986: $235+ million
  • Households Helped: 200,000+
  • Partner Agencies: 150+
  • Administrative Efficiency: 100% of donations go to program services

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 7844, San Francisco, CA 94120-7844

Phone: 415-777-7120

Website: https://seasonofsharing.org

Email: Contact varies by county; see county coordinators list

For Individuals Seeking Assistance: Must apply through a community partner agency in your county of residence

For Agencies Interested in Becoming Partners: Sign up for monthly virtual Community Partner training sessions; contact county coordinators for details

Overview

Founded in 1986 through a partnership between the San Francisco Chronicle and the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, the Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund has become one of the Bay Area's most significant emergency assistance programs. With a mission to create stability for individuals and families facing unexpected crises, the Fund provides temporary assistance for housing, critical needs, and access to food. Since inception, it has raised more than $235 million to help over 200,000 Bay Area residents and has provided funding for more than 74 million meals.

The Fund operates with a unique model where all administrative expenses are covered by the San Francisco Chronicle and the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, ensuring 100 percent of donations go directly to helping individuals and families in need. The organization has earned a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator and maintains high transparency standards with a Candid (GuideStar) Transparency Seal.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Food Bank Support Program

  • Approximately 15% of annual funds (~$2+ million annually)
  • Distributed to food banks across all nine Bay Area counties
  • Grants support purchase of fresh produce and healthy food
  • Recent annual distributions: $2.3 million (2022-23 campaign) equivalent to 4.8 million meals
  • Major recipients include SF-Marin Food Bank, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, and other regional food banks
  • Since 1986, has provided over $30 million to Bay Area food banks

Housing and Critical Needs Assistance Program

  • Approximately 85% of annual funds
  • Distributed through county coordinators and 150+ community partner agencies
  • Provides one-time emergency grants to individuals and families
  • Grant amounts up to $5,000 per household
  • Can be used for rent, security deposits, utilities, medical equipment, and other emergency needs
  • Eligible to reapply once every five years
  • Funds paid directly to service providers (landlords, utility companies, etc.)

Priority Areas

Eligible Recipients for Individual Assistance (through partner agencies):

  • Families with dependent children
  • Seniors
  • Veterans
  • Individuals with disabilities
  • Transitioning emancipated foster youth
  • Bay Area residents facing unexpected financial crises

Types of Assistance Funded:

  • Rental assistance to prevent eviction
  • Security deposits for housing transitions
  • Utility bill payments
  • Medical equipment
  • Emergency transportation needs
  • Food assistance through regional food banks
  • Other critical family needs

Geographic Coverage: All nine Bay Area counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma

What They Don't Fund

The Fund does not provide:

  • Ongoing or long-term support (one-time assistance only)
  • Direct cash payments to individuals
  • Assistance to those who have received help within the past five years
  • Support for needs outside the nine-county Bay Area region

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Ira Hirschfield - President Emeritus, Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund; Founder of Season of Sharing Fund
  • Bill Nagel - Publisher and CEO, San Francisco Chronicle; President of Season of Sharing Fund
  • Elaine Lo - VP Finance/Controller, San Francisco Chronicle; Treasurer and Secretary
  • Emilio Garcia-Ruiz - Editor In Chief, San Francisco Chronicle

Staff Team

  • Kevin Swanson - Executive Director
  • Leah Wilberding - Director of Development and Marketing
  • Stacie Moore - Director of Programs and Operations
  • Anthony Elizondo - Development and Marketing Associate

The board composition reflects the ongoing partnership between the San Francisco Chronicle and the Haas Jr. Fund that has sustained the organization since Walter A. Haas, Jr. and Ira Hirschfield approached the Chronicle with the idea in 1986.

Application Process & Timeline

For Nonprofit Organizations

Food Banks:

  • Food bank grants appear to be distributed through an established network of Bay Area food banks
  • Contact the Season of Sharing Fund directly at 415-777-7120 for information about food bank partnerships

Community Partner Agencies:

  • Sign up for monthly virtual Community Partner training sessions
  • Only agencies that complete mandatory orientation may submit applications on behalf of clients
  • Contact county coordinators for specific county information:
  • Training provides information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and program guidelines

For Individuals Seeking Assistance

How to Apply: Individuals cannot apply directly to Season of Sharing Fund. Interested residents must apply through a Community Partner agency in their county of residence.

San Francisco Community Partner Agencies (examples):

  • La Voz Latina - (415) 983-3970, ext. 4101
  • St. Anthony Foundation - (415) 592-2855
  • YCD Housing Services - (415) 822-3491, ext. 0211

For other counties, contact the county coordinator to be connected with partner agencies in your area.

Decision Timeline

  • Applications are processed through partner agencies
  • Intake workers at partner agencies review eligibility criteria
  • Approved funds are paid directly to service providers
  • Specific decision timelines vary by county and partner agency
  • General inquiries: Contact county coordinators or call 415-777-7120

Reapplication Policy

  • Eligible applicants can apply once every five years based on the last approved application
  • Maximum assistance per application: $5,000

Application Success Factors

For Community Partner Agencies

Building Partnership:

  • Complete mandatory training sessions (offered monthly virtually)
  • Demonstrate capacity to serve eligible populations in crisis
  • Ability to screen and process applications according to program guidelines
  • Connect clients to additional support services beyond emergency assistance

Strong Applications Include:

  • Clear documentation of client's unexpected crisis situation
  • Demonstration that assistance will create stability
  • Connection to longer-term support services
  • Direct payment arrangements with service providers

For Individuals (through Partner Agencies)

Eligibility Factors:

  • Residency in one of nine Bay Area counties
  • Facing an unexpected crisis beyond your control
  • Fitting into priority populations (families with children, seniors, veterans, disabled individuals, or transitioning foster youth)
  • Haven't received assistance within past five years
  • Need is for short-term stabilization

Application Strengthening:

  • Work with partner agency case workers who understand the program
  • Provide clear documentation of the emergency situation
  • Show how assistance will prevent homelessness or address critical needs
  • Be open to connecting with additional support services

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

For Nonprofits Seeking to Become Partners:

  • The Fund operates through an established network of 150+ partner agencies across nine counties - becoming a partner requires completing mandatory training
  • Food bank partnerships appear to focus on established regional food banks with capacity to distribute significant assistance
  • The Fund values partners who can connect clients to additional services beyond emergency assistance
  • All administrative costs are covered by founding partners, so program efficiency is built into the model
  • Partner agencies serve as the crucial link between the Fund and individuals in crisis - they handle screening, processing, and ensuring appropriate use of grants

For Understanding the Fund's Impact:

  • This is one of the Bay Area's largest emergency assistance programs with 38 years of operation
  • The 100% donation-to-program model is unique and demonstrates strong institutional support
  • The Fund addresses immediate crisis prevention (homelessness, hunger) rather than long-term needs
  • County-based coordination ensures distribution across the entire nine-county region
  • The reapplication limit (once every five years) indicates focus on one-time stabilization rather than ongoing support

Strategic Considerations:

  • For food banks: Track record of effective distribution and purchasing power for fresh, healthy food matters
  • For social service agencies: Capacity to identify eligible clients, process applications efficiently, and connect to additional resources
  • The Fund's partnership model means they're looking for reliable, established organizations rather than new initiatives
  • Geographic distribution is important - they ensure coverage across all nine counties through county coordinators

References

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