The Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund provides one-time, temporary assistance to help people living in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties. Over the last 24 years, the Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund has distributed more than $72 million to help individuals and families in need.
During 2009-2010, the Fund distributed more than $4.1 million for housing assistance and other family needs, while providing an additional 1.4 million food banks.
| DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS | |||
| 1986 to 6/30/08 | 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | TOTAL |
| $61,417,942 | $5,441,750 | $5,606,000 | $72,465,692 |
| CRITICAL FAMILY NEEDS, HOUSING ASSISTANCE & FOOD BANKS | ||||
| 1986 to June, 30 2008 | 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | TOTAL | |
| Alameda | $11,873,171 | $1,033,933 | $1,065,140 | $13,972,244 |
| Contra Costa | $8,021,455 | $707,428 | $728,780 | $9,457,663 |
| Marin | $3,391,557 | $272,087 | $280,300 | $3,943,944 |
| Napa | $2,837,613 | $326,505 | $336,360 | $3,500,478 |
| San Francisco | $11,325,367 | $1,033,933 | $1,065,140 | $13,424,440 |
| San Mateo | $6,933,808 | $707,427 | $728,780 | $8,370,015 |
| Santa Clara | $9,830,833 | $707,427 | $728,780 | $11,267,040 |
| Solano | $3,284,801 | $326,505 | $336,360 | $3,947,666 |
| Sonoma | $3,905,238 | $326,505 | $336,360 | $4,568,103 |
| TOTAL | $61,417,942* | $5,441,750 | $5,606,000 | $72,465,692* |
| *Total includes a one-time grant of $14,099 to Santa Cruz in 1989. | ||||
Of the funds we raise, 85 percent are distributed as one-time grants to help individuals and families in crisis. We serve more than 5,000 individuals and families each year through this assistance. Grants are paid directly to the supplier of services. For example, if rental assistance has been approved, the check is written out to the landlord.
The remaining 15 percent of the money we raise goes to Bay Area food banks. Over the last 24 years, we have donated more than $11.7 million to provide meals for our neighbors who might otherwise go hungry.
Grants from the Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund are distributed on a percentage basis throughout the year among the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties, based on guidance and input from a network of 120 community service agencies. Distributing the funds through our on-the-ground community partners assures that we are helping individuals and families who are most in need, and that the funds are channeled through agencies that are well positioned to provide essential services and support. For more on our partners, click here.
The Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund’s operating costs are covered by the San Francisco Chronicle and the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, which means that 100 percent of the money raised goes directly to the individuals, families and communities we serve.
For year-by-year information on how funds have been distributed, click here.
