Current Funders
Government
BOSS has a number of contracts with local, state, and national public agencies to provide housing and services for people who are homeless and mentally ill. We reapply for these funds annually, and our records and reports are regularly audited by these agencies.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- State of California
- Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Agency
- Alameda County Social Services Agency
- Alameda County Office of HIV/AIDS
- City of Berkeley
- City of Oakland
- City of Hayward
- City of Albany
Foundations and Corporations
In 35+ years BOSS has received funding from over 75 foundations and corporations. With some exceptions most grants are for one year; many funders have awarded more than one grant over the years. We are continually researching and applying for new foundation funds to support our programs. Our foundation funders for fiscal year 2007-2008 include:
- Banks Family Foundation
- Berkeley Association of Realtors
- Berkeley Community Fund
- Lowell Berry Foundation
- Children’s Support League
- Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr. Fund
- Walter & Elise Haas Fund
- Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation
- Taproot Foundation
- San Francisco Foundation
- Serendipity Fund
- Y & H Soda Foundation
- Bernard & Alba Witkin Foundation
Other Sources
BOSS receives contributions from hundreds of small businesses and individuals in the community who recognize that we are doing good work in the fight against homelessness. We also charge minimal fees in some programs to help cover costs—for example, housing residents pay 30% of their income as rent, although no one in need is turned away, including those who come to us without any income. Finally, we have formal partnerships with a handful of organizations, who receive project funds from outside funders and send a share to BOSS.
In-Kind Donors
Some of our regular contributors of food and goods include:
- Mystic Clothing
- Neighborhood Harvest
- Noah’s Bagels
- Peet’s Coffee & Tea
- UC Berkeley (Dining Program)
- St. Paul’s AME Church
- …and many others
For example, the kind people at Mystic Clothing have donated beautiful brand new pajamas and bathrobes to the men and women in BOSS’s housing programs, and intend to send a new box each season. Thank you, Mystic Clothing, and all goods & service donors to BOSS!
If you would like to make an in-kind contribution of goods, food, or equipment, contact Janny Castillo at (510) 649-1930. Depending on staff time and the size of the donation, we may be able to arrange pick-up.
