TheSan Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC) is a charter commission ofSan Francisco that works to increase equality, eradicate discrimination, and to protect human rights. The HRC enforces city ordinances and policies on nondiscrimination and promotes social and economic progress.
An Interim Committee on Human Relations, created by MayorJohn F. Shelley, made the recommendation to theSan Francisco Board of Supervisors to create a permanent Human Rights Commission. The recommendation was approved by the Board of Supervisors and Shelley in July 1964. The Commission was codified as a charter commission by the San Francisco voters in June 1990.[1][2]
According to its website, The San Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC) is a department of the City and County of San Francisco that "works in service of the City's anti-discrimination laws by protecting civil rights, upholding dignity, and advancing equitable outcomes in San Francisco."[3] Its Civil Rights Division "investigates and mediates discrimination complaints in housing, employment, and access to public places."[4]
The Commission became the focus of a corruption scandal in 2024–2025 after a report revealed misuse of public money by its director, Sheryl Davis. Davis oversaw the Dream Keeper Initiative—a program created under former MayorLondon Breed to provide grant money to historically marginalized Black communities. An investigation and report byThe San Francisco Standard raised concerns that Davis directed funds to projects and nonprofits with personal ties, most notably to Collective Impact, whose executive director, James Spingola, was living with Davis.[5] Davis resigned in September 2024.[6][7] The city attorney and the San Francisco district attorney launched separate investigations into the alleged fraud and misuse of funds. The city attorney sought to ban Collective Impact from receiving city grants for five years, a move that would cause the nonprofit to close.[7][8][9]
The scandal prompted MayorDaniel Lurie to merge the Human Rights Commission and the Department on the Status of Women into a new department, the Agency on Human Rights, and cut the commission's budget by 38% to $28 million, aiming to increase oversight and restore public trust.[7][10]
In September 2025, an audit by the city attorney and the city controller showed the commission had made "prohibited purchases" totalling millions of dollars, including lavish trips toMartha's Vineyard, a full-court-side purchase of 500San Francisco Giants tickets, tuition payments, restaurant buy-outs and a house rental that appeared unrelated to the agency's mission.[11][12]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
