Out mission is to provide support for the city's hospitality workers during times of emergency
From North Beach to the Mission, our restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels define this city. They're where we celebrate, connect, and create memories.
But the people behind these experiences—servers, cooks, bartenders, hosts—often work without safety nets. When emergencies strike, they face impossible choices.
"A medical crisis, a family emergency, a natural disaster... any of these can mean losing rent, missing bills, or going without food."
San Francisco's hospitality workers deserve support. They deserve a community that has their back when crisis strikes.
SF Anchor Fund provides emergency financial grants to San Francisco hospitality workers when they need it most. Our programs address the most critical needs facing our community.
Our Cancer Fund and Medical Hardship programs provide direct assistance for oncology care, specialized treatment, rehabilitation services, and unexpected medical emergencies that exceed insurance coverage.
Lost Wages Assistance offers short-term financial grants when illness, injury, or family emergencies prevent workers from earning a paycheck. We help cover essential living expenses during periods of zero or reduced income.
Our Crisis & Disaster Relief program provides immediate emergency funding for victims of fires, floods, earthquakes, and other disasters. We also support continuing education and professional development through our Education Grants.
Our board brings together deep expertise in hospitality, law, and community service, all united by a commitment to supporting San Francisco's hospitality workers.
Jenny Stenbakken has lived in the Bay area for over 20 years and began her career with the Paragary’s Restaurant Group before moving to San Francisco and bartending at iconic institutions like Sam’s Grill, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, and Fly Bar. After navigating her own medical journey, she recognized a critical gap in support for industry professionals, inspiring her to help peers maintain their livelihoods in the city while facing significant health hardships.
A San Francisco native with deep roots in the city's hospitality scene, Chris Fogarty is the owner of popular Polk Gulch establishments R Bar and Wreck Room. His extensive industry experience includes tenure at iconic local institutions like the Balboa Cafe, establishing him as a veteran leader in the Bay Area’s bar and restaurant community.
Jesse Kay-Rugen is a San Francisco native and seasoned hospitality professional who serves as the manager for the historic Bus Stop Saloon and its sister location, the Final Final. Under his leadership, these long-standing neighborhood staples have continued to thrive as premier destinations for the city’s vibrant sports and social scenes.
We're a nonprofit organization founded on the belief that San Francisco's hospitality workers—the people who make our city's culture thrive—deserve financial support in times of crisis.
Our mission is simple: provide compassionate emergency financial assistance to SF hospitality workers facing unexpected hardship. We believe in community care, local solutions, and treating everyone with dignity and respect.
From servers in North Beach to hotel staff in SOMA, bartenders in the Mission to cooks throughout the city, we're here to support the people who serve us every day.
SF Anchor Fund