2021 Annual Report

Together, We Made History

2021 was the most historic year yet in the fight for Coyote Valley. San Jose’s General Plan now prevents urban and industrial development on 3,300 acres of this irreplaceable landscape. It is exceptional for a major city to downzone an area of this size and reject decades-long plans for sprawl in favor of protecting the land for open space and agriculture. Adding to this landmark decision, the County adopted a new climate resilience district to better support and enhance farming. These two votes combined created protections for the entire 7,400-acre valley floor.

Together with our allies, the Green Foothills community made this happen, establishing a framework for how large cities can advance climate resilience, biodiversity, and agriculture.

The victory for Coyote Valley is just one part of our work in 2021. This annual report highlights what we accomplished together last year, details our organizational financial health, and includes testimonials shared by Green Foothills supporters. Nature is always being saved and there is more work to do, but we are so excited for 2022 — our 60th year of championing nature in our region.

Cover of 2021 annual report showing Coyote Valley aerial view


To download a pdf of our 2021 Annual Report, please click on the image.

Our Work in 2021

Our advocates engaged on 34 land use issues in 2021. From the coast to the Baylands, from the valley to the hillsides, we gave a voice to the most at-risk habitats. This map describes some of those issues and illustrates the extent of our advocacy efforts.

Zoom in on the map and click on each point to learn more about the individual project.

Our Impact in 2021

Advocacy Program

24,694

acres of open space protected or positively impacted

9

victories

achieved out of 11 concluded land use issues

10 key wildlife and plant species benefited
4 policies or plans adopted by governmental agencies

 

34

land use issues

in total monitored and advocated

25 were in collaboration with a total of 69 tribes, organizations, and community leaders
25,021 comment letters sent in response to our 28 calls to action with 22 favorable outcomes
117 additional letters were in response to our call to thank legislators for their vote

 

Andrea in Coyote Valley

Our Impact in 2021

Leadership Program

19

local changemakers graduated

for a total of 219 alumni since 2014*

18

alumni in a new leadership role

for a total of 102 since 2014*

 

1

initiative won by alumni

for a total of 22 initiatives since 2014*

5 initiatives launched or joined by alumni for a total of 32 since 2014*

 

*year the first cohort graduated

Ever in park

Deepen Your Support

Green Foothills appreciates every individual, agency, and foundation who makes our work possible and we are proud to recognize every contributor in Our Donor Community. Thanks to their generous support, we are able to champion land use decisions that affirm and support open space, biodiversity, climate resilience, and natural resources in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.

Leave a Legacy

A generous gift from your estate is the ultimate way you can support our mission. To learn more, visit greenfoothills.org/legacy.

Anonymous x4
Leslie Airola Murveit & Hy Murveit
Evangelyn & John Boice*
Julia Bott
Allan & Marilyn Brown
Joan Bruce*
Catherine Davey & Tom Podoll
Devon Davey
John & Mary Jane Davey
Mary & John Davey*
Paul Davis & Jade Thuma
Beth DeAtley
Dick DeAtley*
Paul & Maureen Draper
Allison Dykens
Megan Fluke
Norma Jean Bodey Galiher
Linda Gass & Rob Steiner
Kathryn Gordon
John Graham*
Herbert & Norma Grench
Jerry Hearn & Rebecca Reynolds
Susan Marie Hughes & Robert Hughes
Heather Kantor
William & Katherine Korbholz
Edmundo & Mary Larenas
Peter & Sue LaTourrette
Linda & Sidney Liebes Jr.
Margaret & Jamis MacNiven
Betty J. Meissner
Ernst Meissner*
Margery Morse
Lisa & Edward Munro
Rajan D. Narang
Delores & Walter Nelson
Brad & Judy O’Brien
Dave Olson
George Packard
Jane Packard
Martin Packard*
Daniel & Helen Quinn
Eleanor Rakonitz
William Reller
Nancy Reyering & Marty Walker
Lennie & Mike Roberts
Charles Schmuck
Jeffrey Segall & Helen He
Joan Sherlock
Ivan Stanojevic
Phyllis Stevenson
Sara Timby
Kristen Tsukushi
Randall & Marcia White
Will & Michelle Wyman

Support Our Advocacy Fund

The Lennie Roberts Advocacy Fund was launched in honor of Lennie’s 50+ year legacy of local open space preservation as a Green Foothills Legislative Advocate. Ensure nature always has a champion with a one-time gift, a multi-year pledge, a stock gift, or a restricted bequest. To learn more, visit greenfoothills.org/LRAF.

Anonymous x2
Steve Blank & Alison Elliott
Stephen Boles
Penelope Bowen
Michael Brownrigg
Carol Chapman Kelly & Michael Kelly
Joseph Cotchett
Maryann Moise Derwin Megan Fluke
Lynn & Jim Gibbons
William Giusti
John Graham
Judith & James Kleinberg
Peter & Sue LaTourrette
Jody & Roger Lawler
Margaret & Jamis MacNiven
Alan & Nancy McGee
William Murray
Nanci E. Nishimura
Nancy Reyering & Marty Walker
Lennie & Mike Roberts
Kathleen Sanborn & Barbara Ann Wright
Jeffrey Segall & Helen He
Barbara & Seth Spalding
Carolyn Straub & Stephen McHenry
Robin Toews
James Wickett & Magdalena Yesil
Margaret & Larry Williams
Oceano Hotel & Spa
Passport Foundation

Jim on hillside

Financial Health

We are incredibly thankful for all who volunteered their time and contributed to Green Foothills in 2021. Our volunteers put in 2,248 hours of their time valued at $67,328. To view a list of our 868 wonderful donors from 2021, please visit our webpage dedicated to celebrating them.

Financials | April 1, 2020 – March 30, 2021

Income: $1,211,472
Our income was up 14% last year with a healthy increase in grants and investment returns. An increase in individual contributions and a one-time bequest were also factors.

Expenses: $1,091,586
Higher fundraising costs ($34,000) were mostly in support of staffing and a new legacy giving tool. Programmatic and Administrative costs stayed about the same as the prior year.

Net Assets: $1,174,435
Unrestricted, Undesignated: $824,978
Unrestricted, Board Designated: $349,457

Cherise in park

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