NAINConnect 2008 Workshops

Theme: Gifts We Bring
HOW THE SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION CONNECTED WITH CONGREGATIONS

WORKSHOP SUMMARY
The San Francisco Foundation’s FAITHS Program, founded in 1993 as the FAITHS Initiative, serves as a bridge between the philanthropic community and the Bay Area’s religious communities. It enhances the work of faith-based organizations delivering services or advocating for their communities. Its programs focus on issues like affordable housing, disaster preparedness, inter-group relations, job training, senior services, and youth development., and leadership training. This workshop tells the story of the creation of FAITHS and what it works to achieve, followed by a discussion about the relationship between philanthropy and faith-based organizations.

PRESENTERS
Michelle Myers Chambers and Michael Yoshi

Michelle Myles Chambers is program assistant for The San Francisco Foundation’s FAITHS and Social Justice Pro-grams. Prior to joining the foundation in 1997, she served on the FAITHS Race and Community Relations Planning Team.

Rev. Michael Yoshi, pastor of Buena Vista United Methodist Church, has been instrumental in creating multicul-tural and social justice organizations and projects in Alameda, across the Bay from San Francisco, and beyond. He chaired the FAITHS Race and Community Relations Planning Team for numerous years and continues to serve on the FAITHS leadership group.