Manuel J. Santamaria

As vice president, Manuel oversees the Community Action department, which includes Movement and Power-Building, Leadership Investment and Capacity Building as well as the LatinXCEL Fund. With Manuel’s leadership, these teams further SVCF’s role in addressing the region’s most challenging problems and improving communities and our quality of life. Manuel joined SVCF in 1999 and has held a variety of roles, including Grantmaking Director, Senior Program Officer in early learning and education, and immigrant integration. Prior to his work with SVCF, he led initiatives for a network of family resource centers, developed school and community education programs for children and adults, and has worked with local organizations that advocate for the protection of immigrant rights and financial inclusion and equity for the most vulnerable in our community. Manuel is currently a member of the board of directors of the Asset Funders Network, is co-chair of the Bay Area Asset Funders Network, past board secretary of the Mission Asset Fund, past treasurer of Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants (GCIR) and co-chair of the California Immigrant Integration Initiative. He has a bachelor's degree in international relations and a master's degree in public administration.