New firefighters' behavioral-health nonprofit offers emergency grants, seeks payroll deductions

Walter Villavicencio, president of the newly formed San Francisco Firefighter and EMS Behavioral Health Foundation, briefed the Fire Commission on July 9 about the nonprofit’s mission, services and fundraising.

Villavicencio said the foundation — formed by active and retired San Francisco firefighters and clinicians — became a 501(c)(3) in April 2023 and provides short-term emergency grants for active and retired department members who need financial help to access behavioral-health care. He said the foundation has awarded emergency grants to 13 active or retired members and helped eight others connect with services.

The foundation raised roughly $32,000 since becoming a 501(c)(3), Villavicencio said, with private individual donations totaling $21,651 and organizational donations of $10,545. He said the group raised additional funds at an interstation fundraiser and that the board is working with Supervisor Rafael Mandelman’s office on possible payroll-deduction legislation to allow department members to contribute directly from paychecks.

"Money should not be a barrier to getting help," Villavicencio said in the commission meeting, summarizing the foundation’s mission to fill gaps not covered by health insurance, workers’ compensation or pensions.

Board members who introduced themselves at the meeting included active and retired firefighters and a licensed marriage-and-family therapist; Villavicencio said confidentiality and privacy are central to the foundation’s operations and that volunteer board members provide intake and liaison services.

Commissioners praised the foundation and offered support; no formal action was taken by the commission during the presentation.