The Family Services Alliance and Prosperity Initiative, funded by Safe & Sound and the Crankstart Foundation, brought together City officials, philanthropic partners, and community members for the Children, Youth, and Family Summit in early November.
This first-of-its-kind convening, held at UC Law San Francisco, underscored the critical role of nonprofits serving children, youth, and families in San Francisco. Discussions highlighted how coordinated investments across City departments and private funders strengthen outcomes for families, and how improving nonprofit job quality is essential to sustaining these vital services. The Summit also highlighted the need for different groups to work together and share responsibility, making sure the City’s programs for children, youth, and families, like education, housing, health, and family support, are connected and work as one effective system. As the backbone agency of the Family Services Alliance, Safe & Sound works with government and community partners to strengthen the ability of FRCs and other community-based organizations to build the web of support needed to support families effectively across the city.
San Francisco has the least children of the nation’s 20 largest metros. In 2024, less than 19% of the area’s population was under 18. The Summit offered solutions for the City to be more family-friendly to ensure San Francisco is a place where families can live and children have the resources required to succeed.
“Our administration is working every day to make sure San Francisco is a city where families can afford to stay and thrive. That means safe neighborhoods, housing that working class families can afford, and a world-class public school system. In partnership with city departments, nonprofits, and philanthropic groups, we can make sure every kid in San Francisco has the chance to grow, learn, and thrive from cradle to career.” – San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie
Children and families are essential to San Francisco’s economic and social future. As one of the most rapidly aging metropolitan areas in the country, San Francisco faces demographic shifts that threaten its workforce, innovation, and revitalization efforts. Reversing these trends requires strong, coordinated investment in the systems that help families remain in San Francisco. Investments in the wellbeing of the City’s children and families are investments in San Francisco’s future. In partnership with government and community organizations, Safe & Sound advocates for laws, policies, and practices that keep children safe and families together in San Francisco and beyond.
“We’re grateful for the momentum and partnership shown at today’s summit. We look forward to more innovative collaboration and continued support by the City, so every San Francisco child, youth, family, and the nonprofits that support them have what they need to succeed” said Virginia Taylor, spokesperson for Safe & Sound and the Family Services Alliance.
The Summit was a great success with around 350 leaders, including representatives from 11 city departments, 80+ nonprofit organizations, 4 Board of Supervisors, 20 foundations and Mayor Lurie attending. The event enabled participants to have solution-driven conversations to build a more coordinated and sustainable future for San Francisco’s children, youth, families, and the workforce that supports them. Through robust discussions and panels, the Summit showcased the important work nonprofits, city agencies, and community partners are doing across the City.
