About the UCSF Foundation

UCSF excels in research, education, and patient care because of its people. But it’s not only our scientists, physicians, and students. It’s also the fundraisers who help donors give to causes that are important to them, the volunteer board members who give generously of their time, and the staff members who support both of these groups.

Our Work

The University of California, San Francisco Foundation and its volunteer Board of Overseers support UCSF’s core mission of advancing health worldwide by raising money for the University.

Gifts from private donors keep UCSF among the top health sciences universities in the world by helping us attract and retain the best students and faculty members, make groundbreaking discoveries, and deliver compassionate care.

In fiscal year 2016, nearly 27,000 generous donors gave $595.9 million to the UCSF Foundation.

The UCSF Foundation:

  • encourages and manages donations from alumni, friends, companies, and foundations to all of UCSF’s schools.

  • ensures that gifts are used in strict accordance with donors' wishes.

  • manages donated assets through the not-for-profit UCSF Foundation Investment Company.

  • administers gifts through UCSF’s Office of University Development and Alumni Relations, which handles communication with donors.

 

UCSF Board of Overseers

2018 UCSF Board of Overseers

William E. Oberndorf, Chair
Arthur H. Kern, Vice Chair, Distinguished Director
Andrew Ach
Faustino Bernadett
Orlando Bravo
Todd Carter
Selina Gaw Cha
Robin Richards Donohoe
Dana Emery
William S. Fisher
Sameer Gandhi
Brian Grossman
Philip Hammarskjold
Julia Hartz
Carl Kawaja
Richard Kimball
George Marcus
Nion McEvoy
Amy McKnight
Jason Moment
Lisa Pritzker
Steven Read
George Scangos
Amanda M. Wallis
Joan Weill
Andrew Woeber

Distinguished Directors

Barbara Bass Bakar
Nancy Hellman Bechtle
Lynne Benioff
William H. Davidow
Kenneth T. Derr
Doris F. Fisher
Robert B. Friend
Carmen Policy
Richard M. Rosenberg
Jaclyn Safier

Lifetime Directors

Brook H. Byers
Ellen Magnin Newman, Founding Chair
Diane B. Wilsey

 

UCSF Foundation Officers

Sam Hawgood, MBBS, President

Sam Hawgood, MBBS, is the chancellor of the University of California, San Francisco and president of the UCSF Foundation. He previously served as dean of the UCSF School of Medicine and vice chancellor for medical affairs. In addition to his distinguished career at UCSF, where he also was chair of the Department of Pediatrics and associate director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute, Chancellor Hawgood has an international reputation in neonatology research.

Jennifer Arnett, Vice President

Jennifer Arnett is vice chancellor of University Development and Alumni Relations at UCSF and vice president of the UCSF Foundation. She leads efforts to raise philanthropic support for the university and UCSF Medical Center and oversees comprehensive programs in alumni relations. Ms. Arnett has more than 25 years of experience in development and was a primary architect of UCSF: The Campaign, the University’s recently announced $5 billion fundraising initiative.

Steve Downs, Secretary

Steve Downs is executive director of University Development and Alumni Relations and secretary of the UCSF Foundation. Mr. Downs is responsible for all financial and administrative services within the development office and the UCSF Foundation. In addition, he staffs the foundation’s Investment Committee and Audit Committee.

David Harkins, Chief Investment Officer

David Harkins is chief investment officer and founding president of the UCSF Foundation Investment Company. He manages the endowment assets of the UCSF Foundation with strategic attention on stewardship and long-term growth. He joined UCSF from the University of Pennsylvania, where he served as the managing director of public markets. Mr. Harkins previously served as vice president and head of equities at ICMA-RC in Washington, DC.