Supervisors endorse SB 330—s transparency goals but add language to protect anonymous donors

The Government Audit and Oversight Committee on the record endorsed the transparency goals of Senate Bill 330, while adding language to the committee—s resolution urging amendments to protect donor anonymity.

Sen. Leland Yee—s office representative Melissa Ann Apuya told the committee SB 330 (a reintroduction of last year—s SB 218) would subject campus auxiliary organizations to the California Public Records Act while preserving an exemption "so long as they had not received anything in return, in value of more than $500" for their donation or service, she said. "SB 330 —is a reintroduction ... that would correct an oversight in state law," Apuya said.

Why it matters: Committee members and campus representatives said greater transparency could address alleged abuses at campus foundations, while university officials warned the CPRA approach could chill philanthropy that supports research, hospitals and student programs.

UCSF associate vice chancellor Barbara French told the committee UCSF foundations are 501(c)(3) nonprofits that already file IRS Form 990s and said UCSF relies heavily on philanthropy. "We get about $300,000,000 a year in philanthropy," she said, noting the Mission Bay women's, children's and cancer hospital is a $1.5 billion project for which the university must raise $600 million. "We fear that with SB 330, we could no longer guarantee our donors, that they would be anonymous," French said.

Supporters framed SB 330 as a response to recent campus controversies. Apuya cited examples including a $1.25 million loan at Sonoma State to an ex-board member that later defaulted, an indictment of a San Francisco City College campus executive for alleged misuse of foundation funds, and Sacramento State—s recent attorney-general inquiry and $200,000 kitchen remodel disclosure.

Deliberations and outcome: Supervisors said they supported the bill—s transparency objectives but worried about unintended effects on fundraising. Vice Chair Carmen Chu proposed language that would "strongly endorse and support the transparency goals of SB 330" while urging UC and CSU foundations and auxiliaries to work with the state senate to enact reporting requirements that ensure transparency "while protecting anonymous donations." Chair Eric Marr accepted that approach and, after no objections were raised, the committee moved the amended resolution forward to the full Board of Supervisors agenda.

What wasn't decided: The committee did not take a recorded roll-call vote on the resolution at the hearing; it forwarded an amended resolution for the board docket. The transcript records no quantitative redefinition of the $500 exemption beyond the sponsor—s description, and UCSF declined to say what proportion of its donated revenue is anonymous beyond citing recent large gifts.