Martha Alexander Gerbode

Martha Alexander Gerbode, a descendant of the Alexander missionary family that traveled from New England to Hawaii in 1830, formed the Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation in 1971 and named it after a son who was killed in an accident. One of the pioneering family foundations in the Bay Area since its establishment, the Gerbode Foundation has spent nearly $89 million in grants and foundation-directed projects supporting communities in the Bay Area, Hawaii, and beyond. The Foundation continues to support work in the environment and conservation, reproductive rights and health, community affairs, and arts and culture.

Throughout the Foundation’s history, its grantmaking has been informed by a strong commitment to equality and justice, and a deep desire to build durable institutions that have far-reaching impact. Through the Foundation, Martha’s children and their families have made investments that have made meaningful changes in people’s lives. They have also cultivated a culture of risk-taking and innovation that reflects Martha’s reputation as a maverick and visionary activist.