DATE: February 17, 2026
TO: City Council
FROM: City Attorney
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Approving Agreement with Philanthropic Ventures Foundation as Fiscal Sponsor for the Russell City Redress Fund and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Agreement
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) approving 1) Philanthropic Ventures Foundation (PVF) to serve as a fiscal sponsor for administration and disbursement of the Russell City Redress Fund, 2) the execution of the agreement between and among the participating agencies with PVF, and 3) authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City of Hayward.
SUMMARY
In 2025, the City of Hayward, the County of Alameda, and the Alameda County Office of Education collaborated to create the Russell City Redress Fund to acknowledge historic harm experienced by displaced Russell City families. The agencies have identified PVF as a potential fiscal sponsor and are seeking approval to proceed with an agreement to support fund administration and disbursement.
FISCAL IMPACT
The recommendations provided herein will have no additional fiscal impact, as the costs associated with PVF’s services will be absorbed by funds already contributed by the agencies into the Russell City Redress Fund.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Russell City was founded in 1853 as an unincorporated community in Alameda County. In the 1960s, Russell City residents were displaced through an effort to transition the area for industrial and commercial development. Approximately 700 parcels were acquired and roughly 1,400 residents were forced to relocate. In recent years, both the City of Hayward and Alameda County issued formal apologies acknowledging the displacement, the associated harm to affected families, and the lasting generational impacts of these actions.
Funding Contributions
The following contributions have been pledged by the participating agencies:
City of Hayward: $250,000
This amount was absorbed into the City’s existing supplies and services budget for Fiscal Year 2026.
Alameda County: $850,000
$400,000 from the Office of Alameda County District 2 Supervisor Elisa Márquez $250,000 from the Office of Alameda County District 4 Supervisor Nate Miley $100 from the Office of Alameda County District 1 Supervisor David Haubert $100,000 from the Office of Alameda County District 5 Supervisor Nikki Bas Fortunato Alameda County Office of Education: $100,000
All funds will be deposited with PVF to form the Russell City Redress Fund.
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation
Founded in 1991, PVF is a 501(c)(3) public charity focused on grantmaking through partnerships among technology companies, venture funds, and grassroots organizations. PVF emphasizes supporting entrepreneurial leaders and community-based efforts that address social inequities.
PVF is being proposed as the fiscal sponsor due to its established expertise in rapid, community-centered grantmaking and its administrative infrastructure to securely manage, hold, and disburse donated funds.
Proposed Agreement with PVF
A draft agreement has been prepared outlining the terms of partnership between PVF and the three participating agencies. Key elements include:
PVF will receive all committed funds and hold them in a dedicated account as part of the Russell City Redress Fund.
The Hayward City Manager will serve as the Authorized Agent for disbursement requests. PVF may only disburse funds upon her recommendation, in partnership with the redress fund’s elected representatives.
PVF will charge a 2% annual administrative fee, totaling approximately $24,000 deducted from the fund.
PVF will issue direct payments to eligible recipients. PVF will not evaluate or approve applications; this responsibility will remain with the three government agencies.
The City of Hayward, County of Alameda, and Alameda County Office of Education will jointly screen, review, and approve applicants based on agreed criteria.
The agencies will defend and indemnify PVF from claims or litigation arising from creation of the fund or policy decisions related to eligibility.
Consistent with IRS rules, PVF must state that contributed funds become the property of the Foundation and are subject to its exclusive legal control.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item is a routine operational item and does not relate to any of the six priorities outlined in the Council’s Strategic Roadmap.
NEXT STEPS
If approved, City Attorney will finalize the agreement and the City Manager will sign on behalf of the City.
Prepared by: Katie Rivera, Legal Assistant
Recommended by: Michael Lawson, J.D., City Attorney
Approved by:
______________________________
Jennifer Ott, City Manager