The Friends of the San Francisco Department of Public Health was founded on May 5, 1988 by Dr. David Werdegar, DPH Director aided by other key community leaders. Realizing that the city budget had no discretionary funds for training, education, special projects and small programs, the Friend’s Founding Board determined that Friends would raise funds to support and enhance Department activities and provide an educational program to inform the people of San Francisco about public health needs.

The Board successfully took on several major fundraising events. Monies raised were dispersed to help the homeless at the Tom Waddell Health Clinic and the Mary Martin Trauma Center at San Francisco General Hospital. In July 1993, the Friends of San Francisco Public Health changed its name to the San Francisco Public Health Foundation, (SFPHF). In line with its changing purpose, The Foundation immediately began receiving donations, grants and corporate gifts on behalf of various programs and activities within the Department of Public Health.

To date over 20 million dollars have been received and managed by the SFPHF. The monies have been used to provide immunizations for children and adults, medical services for underserved populations, tools for child care providers and staff development when public budgets have been slashed. The amount of money raised and disbursed is limited only by the skill, creativity and energy of the people developing and promoting innovative public health programs