JLSF Overview

The Junior League of San Francisco, Inc. an organization of women – 800+ strong in the Bay Area – dedicated to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

The JLSF is one of the largest and oldest affiliates among the 294 Junior Leagues throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the U.K. Our volunteers are women of vision and passion who’ve been making a powerful difference in Bay Area communities for over 100 years.

Since the JLSF was founded in 1911, our volunteers have raised more than $24 million and contributed over 6 million volunteer hours.

The JLSF has been at the forefront of emerging issues. As a problem surfaces within the community, the Junior League is frequently the first organization to recognize and address the issue, providing volunteer energy, financial assistance, and public support. Often in collaboration with other community groups and/or the public sector, the JLSF designs and launches a program, then stabilizes it and moves on to the next issue.

We’ve taken on many challenges in the community in our 100 years – from homelessness, child welfare, AIDS, breast cancer, domestic violence, and much more. We’ve collaborated with hundreds of community and business organizations in the Bay Area and consider them valued partners. Our current focus of community impact are the youth and the elderly and we will devote our volunteer time and resources to strengthening their social and emotional health.

The JLSF volunteers have also been very active fundraisers in the community throughout our history, raising millions of dollars for community programs. During our 100 years we’ve:

  • Published 4 cookbooks (San Francisco A La Carte, San Francisco Encore, San Francisco Flavors and San Francisco Entertains)
  • Produced our signature Fashion Show – the longest running event of its kind in the country – held annually from 1926 to 2014
  • Produced a very successful Home Tour for the past 25 years

Many of San Francisco’s most successful fundraisers and philanthropists got their start and their training in the Junior League (Opera, Ballet, Symphony, etc.) We are grateful for the support of our many donors, corporate sponsors, and partners over the years.