4a. San Bruno Community Foundation (SBCF)
SBCF is a direct result of the negotiated settlement between the City of San Bruno and PG&E for the benefit of the San Bruno community
In April 2012, the City of San Bruno reached a settlement agreement with PG&E for $68.75 million and five vacant property lots valued at $1.25 million. This legally binding agreement specified that a Not-for-Profit entity was to be established to manage the use of the funds for the benefit of the entire City and can not be used for general City operations. The funds from this settlement agreement were distinct and separate from the $50 million trust agreement to specifically benefit and rebuild the Crestmoor neighborhood.
In 2013, the San Bruno City Council took a major step toward fulfilling the restitution
agreement by forming the San Bruno Community Foundation (SBCF) and appointing its initial Board of Directors. SBCF's purpose was established to "benefit the San Bruno community through enduring and significant contributions to, and investments in, charitable and publicly owned community facilities and programs over the long term."
SBCF quickly established itself as a valuable resource for the community. Its mission is to serve the San Bruno community by investing in projects, programs, services, and facilities that have significant and lasting benefits. Through making grants, leveraging partnerships, and taking advantage of other resources, SBCF assists and enables the community to maximize shared investments and realize their subsequent enhancements and benefits.
2015 Listening Campaign
In the Spring of 2015, SBCF conducted an extensive Community Listening Campaign, engaging the public in discussion of community assets and needs and soliciting ideas for allocating the restitution funds for the benefit of the community.
Recreation and Aquatic Center (RAC)
The San Bruno Community Foundation (SBCF) is proud to have supported the design and construction of the new San Bruno Recreation and Aquatic Center in San Bruno City Park. With the 2024 grand opening of the new Recreation and Aquatic Center—a state-of-the-art, approximately 49,000-square-foot facility—the San Bruno community is realizing a lasting legacy of triumph over tragedy.
Crestmoor Scholarships
The Crestmoor Neighborhood Memorial Scholarship provided multi-year college scholarship awards to exceptional San Bruno students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to our community.
The Crestmoor Scholarship was created in 2016 in honor of the community members most directly affected by the disaster, especially the eight San Bruno residents who lost their lives.
It has ensured that the tragedy of September 9, 2010, is not forgotten and that the resiliency, teamwork, leadership, and commitment to community displayed throughout San Bruno in the aftermath of the explosion are honored in the recipients of the Scholarship.
Over ten years, the Foundation awarded 102 Crestmoor Scholarships totaling $1.52 million. The Foundation concluded the Crestmoor Scholarship in 2025, as it shifted its strategy to focus on investing the Foundation’s remaining assets in a smaller number of larger legacy projects.
Other Strategic Grant Initiatives
FIRST RESPONDER EFFECTIVENESS
SBCF approved grants totaling $464,268 to the City of San Bruno to bolster the effectiveness of San Bruno's first responders, both in their daily interactions with the community and in the event of a serious disaster like the 2010 gas pipeline explosion.