THANK YOU, ELLIE ROSSITER, FOR OVER 10 YEARS OF DEDICATION TO COMMUNITY BUILDING

Letter from Ellie Rossiter, Director of The Partnership for HOPE SF

Dear Colleagues:

After 10 amazing years, it is with profound gratitude and mixed emotions that I announce my departure from the San Francisco Foundation and HOPE SF as of December 16. I will be joining the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) as Executive Director of Community Relations and Strategic Partnerships.

Together with you, the City of San Francisco, Enterprise Community Partners, and the residents of HOPE SF, we pioneered a new approach to community development. One which takes a reparative and restorative approach and centers the voice of residents. HOPE SF is keeping its promises to families:

  • More than 900 new affordable homes were constructed, with 616 more affordable units starting construction in 2022-24.
  • An average of 80% retention of original residents (compared to 25% nationally).
  • The Right-to-Return Policy allows former public housing residents—wherever they may live now—preference to move back to new homes.

Our collective efforts have helped ensure that HOPE SF has remained a top priority across multiple administrations. While the City helped provide high-quality homes and neighborhoods without displacement, your ongoing investment supported resident leadership, evaluation, and innovative strategies. You have been a cherished partner on my journey with HOPE SF.

It is because of your partnership that we are making progress towards a vision where all families share in our City’s prosperity. The Partnership for HOPE SF has designed, piloted, and launched new strategies in health, education, and economic advancement: Community Health Ambassadors, Education Liaisons, Youth Champions, Phoenix Project, Resident Warriors, College Scholarships, Small Grants Program, and the Wealth Framework. More information about all these programs is on the HOPE SF website.

Following my departure, the San Francisco Foundation will continue to lead the public-private partnership for HOPE SF and advocate for residents and equitable communities. Daryel Dunston (Senior Director of the Place Pathway), Brianna Rogers (Initiative Associate for HOPE SF), and Cristina Jimenez (Senior Officer, Philanthropic Partnerships) will all help oversee aspects of the Partnership for HOPE SF.

I am deeply grateful for your partnership these past 10 years, and I look forward to following the progress of HOPE SF.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Ellie

Gratitude to Ellie Rossiter

We are deeply grateful for Ellie’s leadership over the past 10 years with HOPE SF and the Foundation. HOPE SF is a nationally known racial justice model and Ellie’s leadership has been pivotal. Her unwavering commitment to centering community leadership and her ability to support the many partners involved in HOPE SF is truly remarkable. She will be missed, and we wish her all the best in the next step in her journey.

As a lead partner for 10 years, the San Francisco Foundation is excited for the next chapter, and together with our philanthropic partners, we remain committed to the public-private partnership for HOPE SF. I am confident that HOPE SF will continue to keep its promise of lifting up the voices of the residents as the City invests in high-quality homes and neighborhoods without displacement.”

–Fred Blackwell, CEO of San Francisco Foundation

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