Hedge Funds Care

SAN FRANCISCO & LOS ANGELES

Welcome to the West Coast branch of Hedge Funds Care!

The West Coast became the second region to join Hedge Funds Care in 2001. Over the past nine years, the West Coast has established a strong local industry presence, thanks in large part to founders Stephan Vermut and Alison Sanger. Since inception, HFC West Coast has distributed over $6.9 million through 177 grants to incredible community organizations dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse. Local strategic partner, the San Francisco 49ers Foundation, has been crucial in raising community awareness of Hedge Funds Care and its mission. The West Coast Committee of Hearts oversees all San Francisco events under the leadership of Pete Lardner and Elisabeth MacKnight. They host the Open Your Heart to the Children Benefit held every April as well as other fundraising events throughout the year, including an annual bike ride through scenic Northern California. Starting in 2008, the West Coast added outreach activities to its committee work in an effort to provide additional support to its grantee organizations. This outreach provides hands-on opportunities for the West Coast committee members and includes volunteer work, toy drives, and organizing an annual conference focused on leveraging the resources of our community organizations and those of our committee membership.

In 2007, HFC West Coast branched out from San Francisco, adding a committee dedicated to prevention and treatment of child abuse in the greater Los Angeles area under the leadership of LA founder Mason Snyder. The Los Angeles Committee of Hearts oversees all Los Angeles events and is currently led by Matt Anderson. This committee hosts the annual Los Angeles Benefit each Fall.

In 2010, the San Francisco branch started a new Committee of Hope for young professionals looking to get involved with the cause and Hedge Funds Care. This commitee is chaired by Katie Kowinski and Lisa Olsen. The Committee of Hope most recently hosted their third annual poker tournament on Thursday, January 24th!