Key Facts
Key Information
About
The Koret Foundation is a private philanthropy based in San Francisco, California, established in 1979 by Stephanie and Joseph Koret, along with their family friend and business associate Tad Taube. The Korets, who immigrated to the United States and built the successful Koret of California apparel brand starting in 1938, created the foundation following the sale of their company to Levi Strauss & Co. in 1979. Stephanie Koret passed away in 1978, and Joseph in 1982, leaving the foundation as a legacy to support causes they valued. The foundation's origins reflect the family's journey from Eastern Europe to the Bay Area in pursuit of prosperity and security, channeling their business success into philanthropic efforts.
The mission of the Koret Foundation is to strengthen the Bay Area community and nurture the continuity of the Jewish people worldwide through targeted grantmaking. It supports organizations in key areas including education, arts and culture, the Jewish community, and broader Bay Area initiatives, with a focus on Israel and U.S. Jewish causes, as well as security-related initiatives. The foundation also supports literature through grants and awards. It adopts an innovative approach, testing new ideas and facilitating collaborations among people and organizations to address systemic societal problems. Over nearly half a century, it has elevated quality of life in the Bay Area and bolstered Jewish vitality globally.
Notable examples of its impact include a $5 million commitment in 2020 to renew the Koret Scholars program at the University of San Francisco, enabling scholarships for students like aspiring architect Camellia Nasrah. The foundation maintains an active online presence, with profiles on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), where it shares updates on its dedication to creating thriving, vibrant communities. It has existing relationships, such as foreign funding links to figures like Efraim Inbar, highlighting its role in networks of influence supporting Jewish and Israeli causes.