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Guiding Principles

Download a PDF of the Guiding Principles

Purpose: To promote the well-being of humanity.

Role: Strategic philanthropic investor.

Guiding Principles:

1.  The Foundation strives to follow the commitment to philanthropy and style of operation established by the Founders.

Beliefs/Practices:

• Low key approach
• Respectful leadership
• Small staff of exceptional quality, low overhead, simple procedures
• Long-term partnerships with and general support of institutions
• Responsibility to support the greater Bay Area and California community

2.  The Foundation focuses on the most serious problems facing society where risk capital, responsibly invested, may make a difference over time and on sustaining and improving institutions making positive contributions to society.

Beliefs/Practices: 

• Grantmaking has clearly defined focus areas
• Grantmaking is pragmatic and non-ideological
• Grants support a wide variety of organizations

3.  The Foundation strives to maximize the effectiveness of its support.

Beliefs/Practices:  

• Collaboration with others
• Support of independent non-partisan policy research, analysis, and policy advocacy within allowable limits
• Long-term support
• General operating support
• Outcome-oriented grantmaking
• Self-evaluation of effectiveness

4.  The Foundation seeks to encourage giving from other sources and has a stake in encouraging and developing philanthropy generally.

Beliefs/Practices: 

• Leveraging support through matching grants where helpful to grantees
• Collaborating with other foundations
• Supporting efforts to foster and improve philanthropy

5.  The Foundation recognizes its position as a partner in problem-solving.

Beliefs/Practices: 

• Helping people help themselves; empowering communities
• Listening to grantees and other stakeholders

6.  The Foundation wishes to remain flexible, maintaining the ability to respond to unforeseen circumstances, the evolving needs of society, and emerging opportunities in a timely fashion.

7.  The Foundation strives to maintain the highest ethical standards.

Beliefs/Practices:

• Adhering to the Foundation’s Code of Ethics and related policies.

8.  The administration of the Foundation is based on a cooperative working relationship between the Board, the President, and the staff. The President is the leader of the Foundation.


November 2010