Herbst Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,240,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Board meets 3-4 times per year
• Grant Range: Varies (approximately $10,000 - $200,000+ for capital projects)
• Geographic Focus: City and County of San Francisco only
• Total Assets: $60.2 million

Contact Details

Foundation Administrator: Ms. Karen Prescher
Phone: 415-252-1220
Address: 100 Bush Street, Suite 1710, San Francisco, CA 94104
Website: https://theherbstfoundation.org
Email: Contact through website or phone

Overview

The Herbst Foundation was established in 1961 by brothers Herman and Maurice Herbst as part of their estate plan, and began paying charitable grants in 1974 after their estates were settled. The foundation specializes exclusively in capital grants for the construction, renovation, or improvement of facilities for tax-exempt organizations within the city and county of San Francisco. With current assets of approximately $60 million, the foundation distributes over $4 million annually across the fields of education, health, social services, and cultural institutions. The brothers believed "the Foundation would operate in a manner that would memorialize and add esteem to the family name Herbst," a legacy that continues through major impacts on San Francisco's nonprofit infrastructure. The foundation has awarded over $115 million in grants since its inception.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Capital Grants Program The foundation makes capital grants for facility-related projects including:

• Acquisition of facilities
• Construction of new buildings
• Improvement and renovation of existing structures
• Facility expansions

All grants must be for facilities located within the city and county of San Francisco that are directly committed to charitable use.

Priority Areas

Education

• Private and parochial schools
• Independent schools
• Higher education institutions
• Special education facilities

Health

• Hospitals and medical centers
• Healthcare facilities
• Mental health services
• Services for seniors and people with disabilities

Social Services

• Senior care facilities
• Assisted living centers
• Community service organizations
• Services for the handicapped

Arts and Culture

• Museums and cultural institutions
• Theaters and performing arts venues
• Cultural heritage organizations

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does NOT support:

• Individuals
• Conferences or travel costs
• Environmental issues
• Debt retirement
• Organizations seeking to influence legislation
• Other private foundations
• Operating expenses or programmatic costs
• Organizations outside San Francisco city and county limits

Governance and Leadership

Current Board of Directors

• Bruce W. Hart
• Steven A. Monosson
• Fredric C. Nelson
• William L. Noble
• Robert K. Taylor

Administrative Staff

• Karen Prescher, Foundation Administrative Officer

The board meets 3-4 times per year to review grant requests. The foundation maintains a lean governance structure with no officer compensation reported, keeping administrative costs minimal to maximize charitable impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The Herbst Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Organizations interested in funding should:

1. Contact Foundation Administrator Karen Prescher at 415-252-1220
2. Discuss your project to determine if it aligns with foundation priorities
3. Request a grant application form if invited to apply
4. Submit the application with required documentation (currently requires multiple photocopies of the entire application packet)

According to nonprofit feedback, the foundation has not yet transitioned to an online portal and still requires physical application materials.

Decision Timeline

• Board meets 3-4 times per year to review grant applications
• Specific decision timelines vary depending on board meeting schedule
• Organizations should contact the foundation administrator for guidance on submission timing

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. In 2022, the foundation made 145 grants totaling approximately $4.2 million.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly available. Applicants should discuss this with the foundation administrator.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

Geographic Requirement: This is non-negotiable. The facility must be located within San Francisco city and county limits.

Capital Focus: The foundation exclusively funds bricks-and-mortar projects. Do not apply for operating support, programs, or non-capital needs.

Nonprofit Feedback: According to reviews on GrantAdvisor:

• "Talk to the foundation staff to confirm that the fit is right" before investing time in an application
• The foundation is described as "friendly, responsive" and one that "builds relationships"
• Staff provides "helpful and quick responses when I have questions"
• They are characterized as a "positive leader in the field" that "gets nonprofits and issues"

Large Capital Projects: Reviews indicate the foundation "mainly funds large capital projects," suggesting they may not be the best fit for minor renovations or small-scale improvements.

Strategic Considerations

Relationship Building: Given the preselection policy, having a connection to board members or being known to the foundation is essential. The foundation values organizations that align with their vision to "memorialize and add esteem to the family name Herbst."

Long-term Impact: The foundation's focus on capital grants reflects an interest in creating lasting infrastructure that serves the San Francisco community for years to come.

Application Presentation: Be prepared for a traditional application process that requires physical delivery or mailing of materials (multiple photocopies required). This may require in-person delivery or shipping costs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Only San Francisco city and county facilities are eligible—no exceptions
• Capital projects only: This foundation exclusively funds facility construction, acquisition, renovation, and improvement—not programs or operations
• Invitation-only approach: You must be preselected or invited to apply; build relationships with board members or get on their radar through San Francisco nonprofit networks
• Contact first: Call Foundation Administrator Karen Prescher (415-252-1220) to discuss fit before investing time in application development
• Substantial grants available: With $4.2 million distributed annually across approximately 145 grants, individual awards can be significant for capital needs
• Long-term community impact: The foundation has distributed over $115 million since 1974, focusing on creating lasting infrastructure for San Francisco nonprofits
• Traditional process: Be prepared for a non-digital application process requiring multiple physical copies of materials

References

• The Herbst Foundation official website: https://theherbstfoundation.org (accessed January 2026)
• The Herbst Foundation - About page: https://theherbstfoundation.org/about/ (accessed January 2026)
• The Herbst Foundation - Contact page: https://theherbstfoundation.org/contact/ (accessed January 2026)
• The Herbst Foundation - Governance page: https://theherbstfoundation.org/governance/ (accessed January 2026)
• The Herbst Foundation - Founders page: https://theherbstfoundation.org/founders/ (accessed January 2026)
• The Herbst Foundation - Major Grants page: https://theherbstfoundation.org/grants/ (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Herbst Foundation Inc (EIN: 946061680): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/946061680 (accessed January 2026)
• GrantAdvisor reviews of Herbst Foundation Inc: https://grantadvisor.org/profile/94-6061680/herbst-foundation-inc (accessed January 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Herbst Foundation Inc: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=HERB001 (accessed January 2026)