# Bella Vista Foundation

Bella Vista Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in San Francisco, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** San Francisco, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** San Francisco, United States
- **Founded:** 1999
- **Assets under management:** 67 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** bellavistafoundation.org
- **LinkedIn:** linkedin.com/company/bella-vista-foundation

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Georgiana Gerlinger Stevens and Jean Gerlinger Kirkwood established the entity that became Bella Vista Foundation. The 1999 founding occurred as the Kirkwood Family Foundation. A 2019 merger incorporated the GGS Foundation and produced the current name. Grants target environmental restoration, support for young children, early literacy, and youth mental health. Capital deploys into California and Oregon initiatives. Holdings include the Gerlinger-Kirkwood Legacy Collection and Newmont Corp. Susan Koe serves as Chair. Spencer Kirkwood acts as Audit Chair and Director. John Kirkwood holds Director Emeritus status. The foundation maintains ties to Mills College, American University of Beirut, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation through prior board service by the founders. Family members occupy key board seats while external partners at Pacific Foundation Services handle day-to-day administration. This arrangement separates grant-making decisions from operational execution.

## Sectors

- Environmental Restoration
- Early Childhood Education
- Youth Mental Health

## People

- Georgiana Gerlinger Stevens — Founder
- Jean Gerlinger Kirkwood — Founder
- Susan Koe — Chair of the Board of Directors
- Spencer Kirkwood — Audit Chair and Director
- John Kirkwood — Director Emeritus
- Stefani Willis — Co-Executive Director at Pacific Foundation Services

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Bella Vista Foundation?

Susan Koe chairs the board. Spencer Kirkwood serves as Audit Chair. John Kirkwood holds Director Emeritus status. Day-to-day administration occurs through Pacific Foundation Services.

### What geographic areas receive grants?

Primary grant activity occurs in California and Oregon.

### Does Bella Vista Foundation maintain other vehicles?

The foundation holds an interest in HCP Real Estate Fund LP and the Gerlinger-Kirkwood Legacy Collection.

### How is the foundation governed?

Descendants and family members occupy board seats. External service providers manage operations.

## Related profiles

- [Neukom Family Foundation](https://altss.com/profile/neukom-family-foundation)
- [Stiftelsen Scheibler](https://altss.com/profile/stiftelsen-scheibler)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/bella-vista-foundation-bvf

Maintained by Altss — https://altss.com — methodology: https://altss.com/methodology