Updated Jan. 31, 2025
San Francisco Hillel has announced a promised gift of $2.5 million, designed to create momentum and set a deadline for its campaign to raise $8.2 million for a major renovation and expansion of its building.
SF Hillel occupies a former residential home on 33 Banbury Drive near San Francisco State University in the southwest section of the city. The Hillel has served S.F. State students since the 1960s but a decade ago expanded its outreach to all college campuses in the city.
The two-story building desperately needs a makeover, SF Hillel executive director Roger Feigelson said in a late December announcement of the $2.5 million gift from San Francisco philanthropist Nancy Grand. The home, built in 1949, has served as a Hillel house since 1982.
SF Hillel began raising money in April 2023 for the renovation project, which would expand the building to four stories and double its size to 3,000 square feet. The renovation will also fulfill Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements and upgrade the building’s security system, including adding cameras.
SF Hillel is now $2.9 million away from reaching its $8.2 million goal by a June 30 deadline.
Feigelson told J. he wants the building “to show that the community has pride in Hillel and cares about our Jewish students. We want the site to reflect that we take this seriously, so that we’re not just crammed into an old home. So it’s really kind of a statement of pride.”
SF Hillel served about 1,300 students last school year, Feigelson said, including 550 who regularly come to events.
The capital campaign has received several other large gifts, though with some conditions. The endowment trust of late philanthropist and Chia Pet mogul Joseph Pedott donated $500,000 contingent on SF Hillel meeting half of its goal, which it achieved. Another $400,000 donation came from the Herbst Foundation.
Grand’s gift is also contingent, meaning SF Hillel will only receive the funds if it succeeds in raising the remaining $2.9 million toward its total goal.
SF Hillel was in the news in early December after someone sprayed antisemitic graffiti on the building and broke a window in an apparent attempted break-in. The hate incident backfired, though. Afterward, Hillel received a $250,000 donation for the capital campaign from Chris Larsen, co-founder and former CEO of blockchain company Ripple.
For Grand, the inspiration to donate came from her late husband.
She told J. that Stephen Grand, who was a real estate developer and philanthropist, aspired to support a major update of SF Hillel shortly before his death in March 2021. After hosting a fundraising event for the capital campaign at her home, Nancy Grand decided to make the donation in his memory.
“He would be really proud to know that this is happening. I’m sorry he didn’t get to see it,” said Grand, who also recognized the sense of urgency that the vandalism and attempted break-in added to the campaign. “Hopefully other people will realize how important it is and join in.”
The renovation budget includes all construction and financing costs and an endowment to cover future maintenance. Feigelson said that security for the renovated site is an “absolute must” and is built into the construction plan, including an additional entryway to act as a buffer between the front door and the interior.
Feigelson plans to seek additional funds to reinforce safety measures, such as a California nonprofit security grant or a similar grant through Hillel International.