Annual Fundraising Event Generates Nearly $13 Million from Guests, Announces Additional $12 Million Gift from Visa Foundation
Nearly 800 people rallied for the Bay Area last night at the Tipping Point Community Benefit—the first large-scale in-person fundraiser hosted by the poverty-fighting organization since 2018. Guests raised their hands to donate $12.8 million for the most effective nonprofits in the region working to provide support in early childhood, education, housing, and employment. In addition, the organization announced last night a $12 million gift from Visa Foundation to address youth homelessness across the Bay Area.
Tipping Point’s Board of Directors funds 100% of the organization’s operating costs, so every dollar raised from the night goes directly to the community.
This year’s Benefit focused on the theme of “Rally,” to help build spirit and revitalize morale in the face of the Bay Area’s challenges, many of which were worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The event took place at Pier 48 in San Francisco, which was built out as a one-of-a-kind stadium to bring the “Rally” theme to life. The event amplified the messages of Tipping Point’s Made by the Bay campaign which launched late last year to increase civic pride, celebrate voices of the region, and drive investment in the Bay Area.
“Individuals and companies like Visa proved that we are one community committed to building a Bay Area that we can all be proud of,” said Sam Cobbs, Tipping Point, CEO. “Thanks to their generosity and through our amazing grantees, we give a fighting chance to the people in the Bay who need it most.”
The evening featured powerful speeches and films of Tipping Point grantees and the people they serve, including:
- A resident of Tahanan, a Tipping Point-funded housing development for people who have experienced homelessness
- A young mother supported by Nurse-Family Partnership, a Tipping Point grantee since 2012
- Aubrey Merriman, CEO of LifeMoves, a Tipping Point grantee since 2008
- Maritza Moldonado, CEO of Amigos de Guadalupe Center for Justice and Empowerment, a Tipping Point grantee since 2021
The program concluded with a concert by Grammy Award-winning musical artist Chance the Rapper. The event was co-chaired by Brandi and Charles Hudson, Puja and Samir Kaul, Sara Johnson Kerrest and Frederic Kerrest, and Shipley + Tony Salewski.
