 The Friends of the San Francisco Department of Public Health Department was founded on May 5, 1988 by Dr. David Werdegar, DPH Director and other key community leaders. The idea was originally a narrow focus, to organize a Friends group like Friends of Park and Recreation and Friends of Library to support the Department of Public Health.
The Founding Board of Friends of San Francisco Public Health was aware that the city budget had no discretionary funds that could be used for training, education, special projects and small programs. The board therefore determined that the Friends would raise funds to support and enhance the Department activities and provide an educational program to inform the people of San Francisco about public health needs.
The Board of Friends successfully took on several major fundraising events including an Art Auction and two Casino Nights. 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 2 million dollars have been received and managed by the SFPHF. The monies raised and spent have ranged from honorariums to funds to purchase diapers to training costs for staff development. The bounds on funds raised and disbursed have been limited only by the skill, creativity, and energy of department staff in packaging and promoting innovative programs.
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