The guiding light for The Sarlo Foundation is expressed in the following quote from Maimonides: “Anticipate charity by preventing poverty; assist the reduced fellowman, either by a considerable gift, or a sum of money, or by teaching him a trade, or by putting him in the way of business, so that he may earn an honest livelihood, and not be forced to the dreadful alternative of holding out his hand for charity. This is the highest step and the summit of charity's golden ladder.”

The Sarlo Foundation was established by venture capitalist George Sarlo and his wife Sejong in 1992 as a supporting foundation of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.

The Foundation recognizes that most Americans were once immigrants, many of whom were provided life-transforming opportunities by community agencies. Its intent is to reciprocate by supporting education, training, counseling, medical crisis intervention, and other services which make a significant difference in the lives of individuals.