About Us
Upstream Philanthropy is a consulting firm that specializes in leveraging philanthropy to optimize mission and impact for our clients. Our approach is to build on an organization's existing strengths, address issues at the root cause, and focus on areas for opportunity to create sustainable and long-term positive change.
Co-founders, Sara Haynes and Melissa Perez share a profound love for the San Francisco Bay Area and its rich diversity. We believe nonprofit organizations, staff, board leaders, and donors play a dynamic role in promoting health, healing, justice, vibrancy, and culture for the Bay Area community and beyond. Upstream Philanthropy was founded in 2023 after a combined 50 years of service to the nonprofit sector as professional fundraisers, executives, board leaders, and consultants. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, we are also proud to work with national organizations and communities across the nation.
Sara Haynes, MPH
Partner and Co-Founder
“Philanthropy is about the expression of values and fundraising plays a central role - as matchmaker and change agent - where an organization's values meet those of a donor.”
As a philanthropic professional trained in public health, Sara has a deep appreciation for the power of philanthropy to advance the missions of nonprofit organizations, particularly ones working in the public sector. Central to this is her expertise in building high-functioning fundraising programs that are fueled by an engaged and dynamic partnership between staff, board, and donors where the emphasis is on building authentic and meaningful relationships over the long term.
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For over 25 years Sara has served in a variety of executive leadership, program, and fundraising capacities for health and social service organizations in California. Prior to launching Upstream Philanthropy, Sara was a Senior Consultant at Glavin Jacobson, Inc. Prior to that she served as Vice President for Development at the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation, where she led the Foundation’s first ever large-scale capital campaign which raised over $141 million, including a $75 million gift from Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg which remains the largest philanthropic gift to a public hospital from a private individual in the United States.
Her earlier career included the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Hospice of Pasadena and the National Brain Tumor Society.
Sara has presented at the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) International Conference and served as an invited panelist speaker with the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP): Breakfast of Champions series, the Development Executives Roundtable (DER) and was a featured speaker at the City Club of San Francisco 2019 and emcee at the 2020 Annual Nonprofit Leadership Breakfast.
Sara holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of California, Los Angeles, Fielding School of Public Health and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
415-299-1977
sara@upstreamphilanthropy.com
Melissa Perez
Partner and Co-Founder
“What I love most about philanthropy is helping others to achieve goals beyond their individual capacity. It is a privilege to serve the community and world through this work.”
Melissa is a dedicated fundraiser and nonprofit leader with a rich background in philanthropy, volunteerism, teaching, and nonprofit management. With a career spanning corporate and nonprofit sectors, she is passionate about creating meaningful experiences and driving impactful change. As a consultant and experienced board member, Melissa finds working with new board members particularly rewarding, where she can guide both staff and board on collaborating and creating a culture of appreciation and impact.
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Melissa's philanthropic journey began at AT&T, where she led employee-giving campaigns for the March of Dimes and United Way, galvanizing thousands. Her commitment to weaving together volunteerism and philanthropy continued as she transitioned between nonprofit and corporate communities, starting at United Way of the Bay Area, where she managed workplace campaigns and was promoted to the Director of Development, Major Gifts, leading the Alexis de Tocqueville Society. Melissa also worked as a Sales Director at Sunrise Senior Living, continuing to support the nonprofit community through fundraisers supporting the Alzheimer’s Association and promoting educational programs benefiting the larger community beyond the assisted living community. Before co-launching Upstream Philanthropy, she was a Senior Consultant at Glavin Jacobson Inc.
In addition to United Way of the Bay Area, Melissa served in leadership roles as the Director of Development of We Teach Science and Senior Leadership Gifts Officer at San Francisco Opera. She also served as Chair of the Board Development Committee of SPAAT (Student Program for Athletic and Academic Transitioning). Melissa has volunteered in the community for organizations such as Under One Roof and the American Red Cross.
A proponent of teaching and empowering nonprofits, Melissa most recently served as the Board President of Development Executives Roundtable (DER). She goes beyond board responsibilities by actively contributing to the sector's growth, teaching fundraising fundamentals at Cal State University East Bay and Sonoma State University for their Nonprofit Management Certificate Programs.
Melissa holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from The University of Texas at Austin.