How We Help

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 26 years, the Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund has distributed more than $85 million to help individuals and families in need.

During 2011-2012, the Fund distributed more than $5.4 million for housing assistance and critical family needs, while providing $1 million food banks.

Eighty-five percent of the funds we raise 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 26 years, we have donated more than $13.8 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 Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund and the San Francisco Chronicle, which means that 100 percent of the money raised goes directly to the individuals, families and communities we serve.

For more information on how funds have been distributed, click here.