San Francisco Public Health Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $12+ million (managed as fiscal intermediary)
• Charity Navigator Rating: 4-Star (98% score)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $60,000
• Geographic Focus: San Francisco, California
• Application Type: RFP-based (periodic announcements)

Contact Details

Website: https://sfphf.org/

Phone: 415-504-6738

Email:

• General inquiries: info@sfphf.org
• Grant requests: requests@sfphf.org

Address: 71 Stevenson Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94105

Key Contact: Kitty Thornton, Program Coordinator (manages RFPs and grant recipient contracts)

Overview

Founded in 1993, the San Francisco Public Health Foundation serves as a trusted fiscal intermediary and grant-making organization supporting the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and community-based organizations. With over $20 million in funds managed to date, SFPHF specializes in channeling public health resources to smaller nonprofits and grassroots organizations that might otherwise struggle with complex administrative requirements. The Foundation holds a 4-star Charity Navigator rating with a 95.18% program expense ratio, demonstrating strong financial stewardship. In fiscal year 2023-2024 alone, SFPHF distributed over $12 million to community organizations through its fiscal intermediary role and operates direct grant programs focused on health equity and chronic disease prevention.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

SDDT Healthy Communities SUPPORT Grants (Sugary Drinks Distributor Tax-funded):

• Capacity Building Grants: Up to $60,000 for 5-month projects (minimum 5 grants awarded)

  • Supports equipment, data systems, computers, software, curriculum development, consultants
  • Application via periodic RFPs posted on website

• Event Sponsorships: Up to $10,000

  • For events promoting healthy eating/active living for priority populations
  • Limited number available via RFP

Fiscal Intermediary Programs: $12+ million annually

• Manages eight ongoing contracts for SFDPH's Community Health Equity & Promotion section
• Facilitates funding flow from SFDPH to community organizations

Priority Areas

• Diet-sensitive chronic disease prevention (diabetes, heart disease, hypertension)
• Health equity initiatives for communities of color
• Harm reduction and behavioral health services
• Homeless health care and reentry services
• Environmental health improvements
• Immunizations and transmissible disease prevention
• Community-based primary care and oral health

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations that received SDDT funds in the current fiscal year
• Programs outside San Francisco city limits
• Organizations without demonstrated track record with priority populations
• Initiatives not aligned with SFDPH goals

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Penny Eardley - Returned to the role in 2025 after previously serving 2010-2023. Brings 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience across safety net clinics, residential treatment, and human services.

Director of Finance and Accounting: Ana Marie - Over 25 years of financial expertise managing complex fund flows.

Program Coordinator: Kitty Thornton - Manages RFPs and grant recipient contracts. Holds MPH from University of San Francisco; previously managed media campaigns for SFDPH's Tobacco Free Project.

Board President: Melissa Moore - Director of Development at SF General Hospital Foundation

Board includes professionals from UCSF, Central California Alliance for Health, and retired SFDPH leaders with decades of public health experience.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

SFPHF operates on a Request for Proposals (RFP) basis rather than rolling applications:

1. Monitor https://sfphf.org/sddtgrants/ for RFP announcements
2. Review detailed eligibility criteria in each RFP
3. Submit online application by specified deadline
4. Community Grant Review Panel evaluates submissions

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be nonprofit community-, faith-, or neighborhood-based organization (CBO/FBO/NBO)
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) may apply with fiscal sponsor
• Must demonstrate track record reaching priority populations

Decision Timeline

• Award notifications typically sent by mid-January for annual programs
• Grant periods vary (e.g., 5-month capacity building grants run February-June)
• Specific timelines detailed in each RFP

Success Rates

Information on application numbers and success rates not publicly available. The foundation emphasizes funding smaller organizations (budgets under $1 million) to maximize community impact.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that received SDDT funds must wait until the following fiscal year to reapply. Past recipients in good standing are eligible for future funding cycles.

Application Success Factors

Priority Population Focus: The foundation explicitly states applicants must have "demonstrated track record of reaching priority populations" - specifically Black/African Americans (who experience 5.5x higher diabetes hospitalization rates), Latinx communities, Pacific Islanders/Native Hawaiians, Native Americans, and Asian Americans.

Community-Led Approach: Successful applications emphasize "community driven and community led initiatives" rather than top-down programs. The foundation values organizations deeply embedded in communities over technical expertise.

Small Organization Advantage: SFPHF deliberately targets organizations with annual budgets under $1 million, recognizing these groups have deeper community connections but need administrative support.

Health Equity Framework: Applications should acknowledge how "the beverage industry has historically targeted low income communities of color" and position work as addressing structural inequities, not just individual behaviors.

Strategic Capacity Building: For SUPPORT grants, successful applicants clearly explain how one-time investments in equipment, systems, or training will strengthen long-term ability to serve priority populations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Monitor website regularly - SFPHF uses RFPs not rolling applications; sign up for updates at sfphf.org
• Lead with community trust - Demonstrated relationships with priority populations matter more than technical credentials
• Leverage small size - Organizations under $1 million budget receive priority consideration
• Frame systemically - Address structural inequities and industry targeting, not just individual health behaviors
• Contact Program Coordinator early - Kitty Thornton can clarify RFP requirements before submission
• Consider fiscal sponsorship - SFPHF offers this service if you lack 501(c)(3) status
• Focus on sustainability - Show how capacity building investments create lasting community impact

References

1. San Francisco Public Health Foundation official website. https://sfphf.org/. Accessed February 27, 2026.

2. SFPHF SDDT Healthy Communities Support Grants. https://sfphf.org/sddtgrants/. Accessed February 27, 2026.

3. Charity Navigator Rating for San Francisco Public Health Foundation. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/943117093. Accessed February 27, 2026.

4. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - San Francisco Public Health Foundation Form 990 data. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943117093. Accessed February 27, 2026.

5. City and County of San Francisco - Priority populations for the SF soda tax. https://www.sf.gov/priority-populations-for-the-sf-soda-tax. Accessed February 27, 2026.

6. Fiscal Sponsor Directory - San Francisco Public Health Foundation profile. https://fiscalsponsordirectory.org/san-francisco-public-health-foundation/. Accessed February 27, 2026.