The Foundation's most important guiding principle is that it seeks to engage in philanthropic activities and to fund charitable organizations and institutions that have demonstrated they are self-sustaining, or clearly have the potential to become self-sustaining, or that focus on self-sustaining operations and activities.
Accordingly, the Foundation's primary focus is dedicated to strengthening the economic base of low income, disadvantaged communities, primarily within the U.S., but also in developing countries. The Foundation has a keen interest in supporting charitable organizations and institutions that have developed clear and effective economic development programs. To this end, the Foundation provides financial support, usually in the form of low interest rate loans known as Program Related Investments ("PRI's"), to a variety of 501c3 tax exempt charitable organizations and institutions. In addition to its PRI program funding, the Foundation also makes charitable grants in the areas of education, health and housing. The Foundation has made grants (in the form of merit-based college scholarships) to low-income San Francisco Bay Area students, as well as to performance arts programs providing economical access to lower income individuals and families.
The Foundation recognizes the importance of utilizing its assets to make a meaningful and substantial impact in selected philanthropic activities. To this end, the Foundation is particularly interested in: