History

In 2000, the Security Analysts of San Francisco (SASF), the largest Bay Area membership association of investment professionals, held its first charitable event – a wine tasting reception featuring Ravenswood (a publicly held winery). The event was spearheaded by SASF Past President John T. Hyland, CFA and combined a traditional investor presentation with a social reception. The event's proceeds were donated to the United Way, and the SASF Board was so inspired by the success of the event that they decided to continue its development and focus on a more specific charitable cause: financial literacy.

Subsequent annual events continued to feature publicly held wineries, and the event received consistent support from corporate sponsors such as Franklin Investments, Thomas Weisel Partners, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo. A relationship was cultivated with the Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition, and proceeds from the wine tasting reception began to fund subscriptions to the publication for Bay Area High Schools. SASF also established a Financial Literacy Committee, to pursue additional programs and volunteer opportunities for Bay Area Schools. After several years' success and steady growth of the fundraiser, subscription sponsorships and school outreach, SASF (now called CFA Society San Francisco ) created a task force comprised of several board members to investigate the possibility of creating a stand alone foundation to support financial literacy.

The Bay Area Financial Education Foundation was founded by Ted Jablonski, CFP® and Bob Thompson, CFA as an independent 501(c)3 charity, receiving its nonprofit exemption status and incorporating in September, 2007. The tradition of the Annual Wine Tasting Reception continues as BAFEF’s primary fundraising event each year.

BAFEF has grown to support and develop proven, successful financial literacy programs throughout the Bay Area. We provide direct training and resources for Bay Area high school economics teachers, recruit and train financial professionals to teach personal finance classes for teens and young adults, and collaborate with our program partners to advocate for greater financial literacy. Today, BAFEF's reach extends beyond the Bay Area throughout Northern California, and thousands of students and teachers benefit each year from our efforts.