Approach

How is Full Circle Fund different?

We cultivate community leaders.

Building leadership is at the core of our model of engaged philanthropy. Full Circle Fund members look for more than simple check-writing philanthropy – they actively engage in their community. We help our members adapt and extend their business skills into the realms of civic engagement and philanthropic leadership.

We invest in talented social entrepreneurs.

We identify innovative leaders of nonprofits and social programs in need of both capacity building and infrastructure funding. We look for organizations that are at an inflection point where we can help accelerate significant change. From grassroots organizations with small staffs and big promise to large urban school districts facing complicated challenges, Full Circle Fund engages with a range of nonprofit and public sector partners.

When we commit, we fully engage.

We collaborate with our grant partners on projects that support their work. Members provide significant marketing, consulting, development, networking and technical services directly to our grant partners. Members work in teams to ensure that projects maintain momentum even when outside responsibilities draw an individual member’s attention away from philanthropic work.

We strive for measurable results.

Full Circle Fund members are not just investors; they are active participants in projects that create systemic change. Members engage in capacity-building projects with our grant partners, setting measurable goals and specific outcomes.

We leverage our networks.

Whether it’s to deliver financial sustainability plans, develop marketing projects, or bring in additional financial support or even furniture, our members tap into their collective skills and networks to help our grantees succeed.

We’re a learning organization.

While working on hands-on projects with our grant partners, we take every opportunity to deepen our understanding of community issues. We actively seek the input and participation of community constituents, and learn from our experiences in order to continually improve our grantmaking.

"Full Circle Fund is an exemplary organization that encourages young leaders to play a vital role in the narrative for positive social change in communities throughout the Bay Area. I am pleased to commend Full Circle Fund for its stewardship in connection with San Francisco's Project Homeless Connect - which now serves as a national best practice - and for all its philanthropic endeavors that go toward enhancing the quality of life for all our residents."

Mayor Gavin Newsom

City and County of San Francisco