Mission
We nurture local communities by growing grassroots organizations and advancing their missions. We steward the foundation and collaborate on emerging sustainable solutions to meet community needs.
Vision
We pursue innovative solutions to the challenges of our communities. We partner with organizations to fund their leadership, strategy, and capacity through trust-based general support.
our values
Stewardship
The Foundation’s current funding theme of Regenerative Agriculture reflects the family’s historical practice of land stewardship. Further, stewardship is also reflected in the Foundation’s practice of growing the endowment so that successive generations of the family can collectively support their communities through philanthropy.
Active Citizenship
The Foundation encourages family participation in our communities and shares the responsibility to make communities better, healthier, and more fulfilling for all.
Sustainability
We consciously address the challenges of the present generation without compromising the future.
Collaboration
Board Members advance the Foundation’s Mission and Vision, regularly share decisions with family members, and welcome participation across the family.
Curiosity
We strive for an open, learning environment with vibrant engagement where new ideas are welcome and mistakes, and their lessons, are celebrated, shared, and learned from.
Resources
Gamble Foundation Staff
Melissa Morazan (she/her)
Senior Program Officer and Team Lead
mmorazan@pfs-llc.net
(415) 561-6540 ext. 244
Melissa joined the Gamble Foundation in 2017. Prior to her work with the Gamble Foundation, Melissa was Director of Learning and Impact at Humanity United, a philanthropic foundation working in peacebuilding and anti-trafficking initiatives internationally. During her time at Humanity United, she implemented organizational learning practices to improve grantmaking strategy and impact, oversaw evaluation efforts, and supported the programs team in strategy development and execution.
In addition to her foundation work, Melissa has worked extensively with nonprofits in the Bay Area and abroad. She was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras where she worked in municipal and community development. Locally, she worked with the Homeless Prenatal Program in launching a pilot program to bring services and benefits to low-income families. Melissa also served as Director of Operations of Brown Girl Surf, an Oakland based nonprofit, leading their fundraising and strategic efforts.
Melissa has a BA in International Relations and a minor in Economics from Boston University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of California at Berkeley. She lives in Sonoma County and enjoys surfing, hiking, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two children.
Derek Aspacher (he/him)
Senior Program Officer
daspacher@pfs-llc.net
(415) 561-6540 ext. 249
With an orientation toward positive change, Derek has a strong capacity to plan and operationalize. His past experience includes roles at the San Francisco and Silicon Valley Community Foundations, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and five years as Chief Executive of the Marcled Foundation. Throughout his work, Derek forged strategic partnerships with an inspiring cohort of social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, investment professionals, non-profit leaders and achievers in many fields.
Most recently, Derek ran a consultancy practice researching how to increase funding for deeply impactful systems change work – locally, nationally, and internationally, as well as providing general philanthropic consulting to a variety of clients.
Derek has a BA in Business Administration from Western Michigan University with a focus on Investments and Securities. He enjoys hiking, yoga, high-intensity training, and gardening.
Frank Buenrostro (he/him)
Director of Accounting Services
Frank joined the PFS team in 2019. He appreciates how the PFS model allows him to work with multiple foundations, each dedicated to strengthening communities across the Bay Area and beyond. As a senior accountant, Frank provides numerous services ranging from detailed accounting reports to annual audit and tax preparation. He is especially energized by the work PFS does supporting foundations involved in social justice movements.
Frank attended Cal State Los Angeles and received a BS in Accounting. Prior to PFS, he worked in finance and operations for multiple nonprofit organizations, including San Francisco-based LYRIC and previously focusing in workforce development and safety net services, including shelter support, foster care, and health care. Frank also has experience in the public sector, serving as Senior Tax Auditor with the State of California from 2012 – 2016.
Outside of the office you may find Frank exploring music and street festivals in the Bay Area or basking in the sunshine with his dog and partner.
Melissa Morazan (she/her)
Senior Program Officer and Team Lead
mmorazan@pfs-llc.net
(415) 561-6540 ext. 244
Melissa joined the Gamble Foundation in 2017. Prior to her work with the Gamble Foundation, Melissa was Director of Learning and Impact at Humanity United, a philanthropic foundation working in peacebuilding and anti-trafficking initiatives internationally. During her time at Humanity United, she implemented organizational learning practices to improve grantmaking strategy and impact, oversaw evaluation efforts, and supported the programs team in strategy development and execution.
In addition to her foundation work, Melissa has worked extensively with nonprofits in the Bay Area and abroad. She was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras where she worked in municipal and community development. Locally, she worked with the Homeless Prenatal Program in launching a pilot program to bring services and benefits to low-income families. Melissa also served as Director of Operations of Brown Girl Surf, an Oakland based nonprofit, leading their fundraising and strategic efforts.
Melissa has a BA in International Relations and a minor in Economics from Boston University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of California at Berkeley. She lives in Sonoma County and enjoys surfing, hiking, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two children.
Derek Aspacher (he/him)
Senior Program Officer
daspacher@pfs-llc.net
(415) 561-6540 ext. 249
With an orientation toward positive change, Derek has a strong capacity to plan and operationalize. His past experience includes roles at the San Francisco and Silicon Valley Community Foundations, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and five years as Chief Executive of the Marcled Foundation. Throughout his work, Derek forged strategic partnerships with an inspiring cohort of social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, investment professionals, non-profit leaders and achievers in many fields.
Most recently, Derek ran a consultancy practice researching how to increase funding for deeply impactful systems change work – locally, nationally, and internationally, as well as providing general philanthropic consulting to a variety of clients.
Derek has a BA in Business Administration from Western Michigan University with a focus on Investments and Securities. He enjoys hiking, yoga, high-intensity training, and gardening.
Frank Buenrostro (he/him)
Director of Accounting Services
Frank joined the PFS team in 2019. He appreciates how the PFS model allows him to work with multiple foundations, each dedicated to strengthening communities across the Bay Area and beyond. As a senior accountant, Frank provides numerous services ranging from detailed accounting reports to annual audit and tax preparation. He is especially energized by the work PFS does supporting foundations involved in social justice movements.
Frank attended Cal State Los Angeles and received a BS in Accounting. Prior to PFS, he worked in finance and operations for multiple nonprofit organizations, including San Francisco-based LYRIC and previously focusing in workforce development and safety net services, including shelter support, foster care, and health care. Frank also has experience in the public sector, serving as Senior Tax Auditor with the State of California from 2012 – 2016.
Outside of the office you may find Frank exploring music and street festivals in the Bay Area or basking in the sunshine with his dog and partner.