SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Today the 49ers Foundation announced a new multi-year partnership with 826 Valencia, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco dedicated to supporting under-resourced students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. As the Foundation's first-ever legacy beneficiary in San Francisco, 826 Valencia will receive $100,000 in annual funds and operating support over the multi-year partnership.
"There are many deserving nonprofits and potential beneficiary partners across San Francisco, but 826 Valencia stood out throughout our review process," said Jenna York, Co-Owner and Board Director of the 49ers Foundation. "Their staff and students will be a fantastic addition to the 49ers Foundation family."
"While we have supported San Francisco nonprofits for decades, we are thrilled to collaborate with 826 Valencia to write a new chapter of meaningful impact for young people in the city," added John York, Co-Chairman of the San Francisco 49ers and 49ers Foundation.
"We're ecstatic to expand our presence in San Francisco and help 826 Valencia further its mission of educating and empowering Bay Area youth," said Mara York, Co-Owner and Board Director of the 49ers Foundation.
Founded in 2002, 826 Valencia operates with the understanding that individualized writing instruction can propel students to tell their own stories, create positive change in their communities, and become future leaders. The nonprofit utilizes physical Writing Centers in the Mission District, Tenderloin, and Mission Bay, and works to ensure every under-resourced student in San Francisco will possess the writing skills and publishing platforms necessary to use their voices to create positive change. Thanks to the physical Writing Centers and programming in a dozen public schools across the city, 826 Valencia has served over 7,000 San Francisco youth in the past year alone. Their writing programs have produced more than 5,500 published student authors.
"We are immensely grateful to have the 49ers Foundation's support as we expand and deepen our services to empower more young authors to write their own futures," said Bita Nazarian, Executive Director, 826 Valencia. "With their partnership, we can continue to build a vibrant city that features our students' bold words on every page and stage across San Francisco."
While 826 Valencia is the 49ers Foundation's first official partnership with a San Francisco nonprofit, the Foundation has a long-standing history of supporting youth throughout the city. For over 30 years, the Foundation has worked with and provided funds to San Francisco organizations including the Center for Youth Wellness, YMCA Bayview Hunter's Point, Tipping Point Community, and many others.
With the addition of San Francisco-based 826 Valencia, the 49ers Foundation's legacy beneficiary network now spans the South Bay, East Bay, and San Francisco. In 2022, the 49ers Foundation announced their first legacy beneficiary in Oakland, African American Female Excellence (AAFE).
For more information about the 49ers Foundation and 826 Valencia, please visit 49ers.com/foundation.
About the 49ers Foundation
For over 30 years, the 49ers Foundation has harnessed football to educate and empower Bay Area youth through collective and innovative community-focused strategies. From award-winning STEAM education and nationally recognized youth football programs, to impactful community partnerships with leading nonprofits, the 49ers Foundation is tirelessly dedicated to inspiring the confidence and collaboration youth need to tackle what is possible. Since 1991, the 49ers Foundation has invested more than $65 million back into historically underserved Bay Area communities in support of its commitment to remain faithful to the next generation. 49ers.com/foundation
About 826 Valencia
Since 2002, 826 Valencia has provided free writing, tutoring, and publishing programs for youth from under-resourced communities in San Francisco. 826 Valencia supports San Francisco's young authors to build pride and confidence in their voices, and offers consistent, individualized writing instruction at three whimsical Writing Centers and in a dozen public schools. Get involved at 826valencia.org.
