In Loving Memory of Glady Thacher (1929-2025)
We are saddened to share the passing of Gladys “Glady” Thacher, our beloved founder and a lifelong advocate for public education and social justice. Glady passed away peacefully at home on April 3, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was 95.
In 1978, Proposition 13 significantly reduced funding for public education across California, and San Francisco’s schools were hit hard. Glady saw the crisis clearly – and responded with action. As she put it, the community needed to “reach out to the private sector and inject money and care into the schools.”
In 1979, Glady founded the San Francisco Education Fund – the first explicit third-party intermediary in the country created solely to support public school teachers, students, and their schools. She believed the most effective way to improve student outcomes was by supporting those who have the greatest impact on their success: teachers.
The SF Ed Fund began with Glady literally knocking on school doors, asking teachers what they needed and offering small grants to help bring their ideas to life. Her grassroots approach quickly grew into a robust program that invested tens of thousands of dollars into classrooms across the city. By the end of her eleven-year tenure as Executive Director, Glady had worked with local foundations and philanthropists to establish an endowment ensuring that teachers would have access to grants for years to come. Her early efforts planted the seeds of what has grown into a citywide movement for educational equity.
Glady’s vision, wisdom, and dedication transformed a simple idea into an organization deeply rooted in the fabric of our schools and our city. Her legacy lives in on every educator we support, every classroom we serve, and every student we impact. We are profoundly grateful to Glady – not only for founding the SF Ed Fund, but for showing us what it looks like to lead with heart, humility, and an unwavering belief in public education.
You can read more about Glady’s extraordinary life and legacy in her full obituary here.
We hold deep gratitude for all that Glady gave to San Franciscans – and for the light she leaves behind. Glady’s vision continues to guide our mission, and her impact will ripple through generations of San Francisco students and educators. We carry Glady's legacy forward by listening closely to the needs of public schools, mobilizing the San Francisco community, and delivering resources where they’re needed most.
We are also grateful to Glady’s family for asking for continued support of the SF Ed Fund in memory of her. If you’re moved to do so, please consider a gift to support Glady’s legacy.