ABOUT US
The Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation (the Foundation) is a charitable organization dedicated to extending Dr. King’s vision by helping people to connect to community and to service through ongoing, targeted initiatives throughout the San Francisco bay area and the northern California region.
photo by Paul WatersFor nearly three decades the City and County of San Francisco has hosted one of the nation’s premier annual events celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1986 the King family engaged Rev. Cecil Williams to establish the organization to host Northern California’s annual birthday celebrations in honor of Dr. King. On December 28, 2009, Rev. Cecil Williams urged that a new leadership carry on the work fostered for nearly a quarter of a century. And, after discussions with a core group of long-time committee members, the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation was launched in the spring of 2010 to build on this great legacy and to further extend Dr. King’s mission by helping people connect to community and service.
From its launching to the spring of 2013 the Foundation was supported by a fiscal sponsor, the Tabernacle Community Development Corporation, to enable it to build its capacity and prepare for its award of tax-exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• In January 2013 over 15,000 celebrants each year gathered in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Yerba Buena Gardens, the site of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Waterfall (the nation’s third largest public monument in honor of Dr. King).
• During the 2011 MLK birthday celebration events renowned bassist Marcus Shelby and his jazz orchestra launched his Soul of the Movement composition, in honor of Dr. King, to enthusiastic acclaim.
• In January 2012 the Foundation launched the Liberation Film Festival, with over 3,000 festival attendees viewing award-winning human interest productions, including a featured screening in partnership with Lucasfilm.
• In January 2012 over 200 children, ages 5 – 9, received free culturally rich books as part of the Foundation’s first children’s reading festival in partnership with Marcus Books, the nation’s oldest African American book seller.
The Foundation is governed by its board of directors, which provides general and fiduciary oversight, and an executive director, that provides day-to-day leadership.
The Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation is a California public benefit non-profit corporation and tax-exempt under United States Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) -- Federal Employer Identification Number: 46-3584726.
According to U.S. Census Bureau the impact of the great recession took its toll on the U.S. economy. Means-tested federal government support increased by over 11% since 2007, and non-profit organizations are seeing calls for increased services.
As the nation emerges from the economic downturn, the Foundation continues to find ways to more efficiently meet its mission. This includes developing innovative partnerships, fund development and outreach programs with business, civic, cultural, academic and interfaith enterprises. And, we actively look to grow long-term relationships with willing partners that can foster win-win solutions.
The value of our in-kind contributions represent over thirty-three cents ($.33) for every dollar of cash received.
The efficiency of our operations is reflected in a low 15% administration overhead. And, we look to maximize our strategic partnerships to further lower our overall cost of operations.
Rev. Floyd Trammell
(Sr. Pastor, First Friendship Institutional Baptist Church) chair
Hon. Doris Ward
(Past president, S.F. Board of Supervisors, past Assessor of the City and County of San Francisco)
Harlan L. Kelly, Jr.
(General Manager, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission)
Timothy Paulson
(Executive Director, San Francisco Labor Council)
Gregory Johnson
(Proprietor, Marcus Books)
Fred Pecker
(Secretary/Treasurer, ILWU, Local 6; Executive Committee member, San Francisco Labor Council)
Michael Huff, Ph.D
(Psycotherapist)
Rev. Dr. Joseph Bryant, Jr.
(Sr. Pastor, Calvary Hill Community Church; Executive Director, Northern California chapter of Rainbow/PUSH) Executive Committee
Jaqueline Keys-Guidry
(Community and Civic Leader)
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Aaron Grizzell
Executive Director
*Titles and occupations are for informational purposes only
