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Barbara & Gerson Bakar Foundation
Gerson Bakar and Barbara Bass Bakar established the foundation in 1997. Gerson built a real estate development business that included large multifamily...
Barbara & Gerson Bakar Foundation
Gerson Bakar and Barbara Bass Bakar established the foundation in 1997. Gerson built a real estate development business that included large multifamily projects and commercial properties in California. Barbara serves as president and has expanded the foundation's focus on education access. The foundation allocates capital across private equity positions, direct real estate ownership, and public securities. Confirmed holdings include Park Newport apartments in Newport Beach and Woodlake apartments in San Mateo. It maintains smaller allocations to mutual funds such as Dodge & Cox Global Fund. Geographic activity centers on California and the broader United States. The foundation employs six professionals and operates from its San Francisco headquarters. It maintains ties to SFMOMA and the Asian Art Museum through trustee roles and collection support. A January 2026 sponsorship of SF Art Week marked one recent public activity. The foundation's architecture ties philanthropic distribution directly to the family's operating real estate company, Gerson Bakar & Associates, creating an integrated succession and asset-holding structure.
General information
Firm type
Family Foundation
Year founded
1997
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
San Francisco
Corporate office
201 Filbert Street Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States
Principals
Barbara Bass Bakar
President
Gerson Bakar
Co-founder
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Barbara & Gerson Bakar Foundation?
Barbara Bass Bakar serves as president and oversees decisions. The foundation maintains a small internal team of six professionals.
How does the foundation source proprietary deal flow?
Sourcing occurs through long-standing relationships in Bay Area real estate and philanthropy networks. Gerson Bakar & Associates continues to manage certain legacy properties.
Does the foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
It holds both direct real estate assets and limited positions in mutual funds and private equity vehicles.
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