The land would be used for a building to house non-profit groups. The company has asked not to be identified until the deal is completed, probably in August. The leadership fund is drawing support from individuals, corporations and local foundations, including the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Mayfield Fund Foundation and former San Francisco 49er Ronnie Lott's All Stars Helping Kids foundation. Knight Ridder, parent company of the Mercury News, and the Mercury News are contributing as well. The fund will help charities develop business and facility plans and study how to form partnerships to share space and expertise.
Donors often focus on high-profile gifts, such as grants for a new education program.
But finding ways to cover administrative costs, especially rent, can be as vital to an organization's mission, Braugh said. The monthly rent would cover half the annual salary of a counselor, said Executive Director Lisa Breen Strickland. Tony Ridder, chairman and chief executive of Knight Ridder, will participate in the round table today.