In service of those who serve

Philanthropy By Design (PBD) originated in 1987 as the Philanthropy Committee of the Hospitality Industry Association (HIA) to create inspiring interior environments for not-for-profit community service organizations. This visionary group mobilized the talents of architects, interior designers, property development and manufacturing professionals into a team that would provide pro bono work using the furnishings from hotels and manufacturers, such as desks, chairs, lighting fixtures and carpets as the raw materials for this creative recycling process.

Over the next four and a half years, these volunteer professionals completed the refurbishment of more than 30 nonprofit facilities, leveraging more than $1.6 million in donated labor, products and financial contributions, at no cost to the benefiting community agencies.

The Hospitality Industry Association (HIA) recognized that this philanthropic work was outgrowing their capacity to manage as a committee. In 1990, the Board voted to establish a separate not-for-profit corporation, and in January 1991, Philanthropy By Design received federal nonprofit 501(c)(3) status. Since then we have helped thousands of under-served people in the Bay Area.