Top 15 Nonprofits in San Francisco Bay Area Helping with Rent, Food, and Bills in 2027
Bay Area rents are some of the highest in the country, and even full-time workers can end up one surprise bill away from falling behind. If you're behind on rent, holding an eviction notice, or stretching groceries thin, you're not alone, and there's real help across the region.
This guide covers the whole metro: San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, and San Mateo counties. We focused on nonprofits with structured help for rent, deposits, utility bills, food, and free eviction legal aid.
Many programs serve one county or city, and rent funds open and close as money comes in. Call early, ask what's open right now, and keep your ID, lease, and bills ready. Details reflect what each organization publishes as of October 2026.
How We Chose These Nonprofits in San Francisco Bay Area
We included 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including faith-based charities like Catholic Charities and St. Anthony's. Each one serves the metro, runs a structured aid program, and publishes clear contact info. We ranked them on Impact, Accessibility, Reputation, Transparency, and Equity (serving people regardless of faith, status, or background).
We gave extra weight to rent and eviction help, not just food, and spread picks across the metro's five counties. We did not use Google ratings; trust signals come from each organization's own published information as of October 2026.
1. Catholic Charities East Bay
Back rent, overdue utility, and deposit help for the East Bay.
Primary assistance: Back rent, overdue utilities, security deposits, and housing navigation
Best for: Low-income renters in Alameda and Contra Costa counties
How to get help: Alameda County rental help 510-768-3100; housing services
Programs are tied to county funding, so ask which help is open in your city when you call.
Trust signals: Founded in 1935; posts its financials online.
2. Eviction Defense Collaborative
San Francisco's main eviction defense group, with rental help too.
Primary assistance: Free eviction legal help, rental assistance, and rent subsidies
Best for: San Francisco tenants facing eviction or behind on rent
How to get help: Legal help (415) 659-9184 or legal@evictiondefense.org; rental help EDCRADCo@evictiondefense.org; evictiondefense.org
The legal clinic is at 976 Mission St. If you've received court papers, contact EDC right away because response deadlines are short.
Trust signals: Founded in 1996; a partner in San Francisco's Tenant Right to Counsel program.
3. Catholic Charities San Francisco
Emergency help in San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo.
Primary assistance: Emergency relief, including help catching up on back rent; housing and family services
Best for: Residents of San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties in a money crisis
How to get help: (415) 972-1200; 990 Eddy St., San Francisco; catholiccharitiessf.org
Its Emergency Relief Program in the Tenderloin has helped clients recover months of back rent. Catholic Charities never charges fees by phone or through online ads.
Trust signals: Serves people regardless of religion or citizenship; posts its financials.
4. SHELTER, Inc. of Contra Costa County
One-time rent, mortgage, and utility help in Contra Costa.
Primary assistance: One-time rent or mortgage help, utilities, deposits, and move-in costs
Best for: Contra Costa households at risk of losing housing or trying to move in
How to get help: Fill out the online application; if you're homeless, call 211; rental and deposit assistance
Short-term rental payments and help finding housing may also be available. Fill out the application to see if you qualify.
Trust signals: Founded in 1986; has helped over 270,000 people.
5. Samaritan House San Mateo
Financial help, food, and case management in San Mateo County.
Primary assistance: Financial assistance, food, clothing, and case management
Best for: Low-income San Mateo County families who need help with basic needs
How to get help: (650) 347-3648 for a case manager appointment; 4031 Pacific Blvd., San Mateo; find help
You can also apply for financial assistance online. Services are offered in English and Spanish, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Trust signals: Served more than 29,000 clients last year.
6. Community Action Marin
Rental assistance, eviction resources, and free tax help in Marin.
Primary assistance: Rental assistance, eviction resources, housing case management, and free tax preparation
Best for: Marin County renters and families who lack the income to be self-sufficient
How to get help: (415) 526-7500 or clientintake@camarin.org; get services
Walk-in hours run weekdays starting at 9:30 a.m. (8:30 a.m. on Fridays). Fill out the online form and staff will reach out within 5–7 days.
Trust signals: Publishes its service list and walk-in hours online.
7. Bay Area Legal Aid
Free civil legal help, including eviction defense, across the region.
Primary assistance: Eviction defense, habitability problems, housing subsidies, and public benefits
Best for: Low-income residents of the Bay Area counties facing a housing or benefits problem
How to get help: Legal Advice Line 800-551-5554; get help
Help is free for qualified low-income residents, and the advice line serves callers in all languages.
Trust signals: Offices in seven Bay Area counties, including all five in this metro.
8. Centro Legal de la Raza
Tenants' rights clinics and eviction defense in the East Bay.
Primary assistance: Tenants' rights clinics, eviction defense, immigration and workers' rights help
Best for: Low-income Alameda County tenants, including Spanish-speaking families
How to get help: 510-437-1554; get legal help
Centro Legal is a partner in Alameda County Housing Secure, which pairs free legal help with emergency financial aid for low-income tenants.
Trust signals: Fighting for justice since 1969.
9. Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County
Free eviction defense for San Mateo County renters.
Primary assistance: Eviction defense, public benefits, health care access, and other civil legal help
Best for: Low-income San Mateo County residents trying to stay housed
How to get help: Call (650) 558-0915 to schedule an appointment; getting help
Its HomeSavers Project helps tenants fight evictions. Legal Aid SMC does not handle traffic tickets or criminal cases.
Trust signals: Providing free civil legal services since 1959.
10. East Bay Community Law Center
Free legal help for housing and debt problems in Alameda County.
Primary assistance: Eviction defense, tenants' rights, rental assistance help, and debt collection defense
Best for: Low-income Alameda County residents facing eviction or debt lawsuits
How to get help: 510-548-4040; ebclc.org
EBCLC also helps with wage garnishment, credit reports, and public housing issues.
Trust signals: A listed provider in Alameda County Housing Secure.
11. San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
Groceries and CalFresh help for San Francisco and Marin.
Primary assistance: Free groceries through pantries and partners, CalFresh application help
Best for: Anyone in San Francisco or Marin County who needs food
How to get help: Find food near you
Its CalFresh outreach team helped neighbors secure $1.5 million in benefits last year.
Trust signals: Serving the community since 1987; publishes an annual report.
12. Alameda County Community Food Bank
A same-day food helpline for Alameda County.
Primary assistance: Food referrals, free groceries, CalFresh application help
Best for: Anyone in Alameda County who needs groceries or a hot meal
How to get help: Helpline 510-635-3663, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; get food
The helpline connects you to groceries or a hot meal the same day you call, in multiple languages.
Trust signals: Works with 350+ agency partners; posts its financials.
13. Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
Free food and CalFresh help for Contra Costa County.
Primary assistance: Free food distributions and CalFresh application help
Best for: Contra Costa County residents who need groceries
How to get help: 855-309-FOOD (3663) or info@foodbankccs.org; foodbankccs.org
The main location is at 4010 Nelson Ave., Concord.
Trust signals: Publishes its financials and a strategic plan.
14. Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
Groceries and CalFresh help for San Mateo County.
Primary assistance: Free groceries, prepared meals, CalFresh application help
Best for: San Mateo County residents who need food
How to get help: Food help 1-800-984-3663; shfb.org
Use the online food locator to find free groceries or a prepared meal near you. Help is available in many languages.
Trust signals: The leader in food rescue across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
15. St. Anthony's
Free daily meals and more in San Francisco's Tenderloin.
Primary assistance: Free meals, a weekly farmers market, clothing, and a medical clinic
Best for: Anyone in San Francisco who needs a hot meal or groceries
How to get help: Dining Room at 121 Golden Gate Ave., 1st floor; dining room info
The Dining Room is open 7 days a week, with breakfast starting at 7 a.m. and lunch from 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. It serves over 1,000 guests each day.
Trust signals: Founded in 1950.
Other Important Helplines and Resources in San Francisco Bay Area
211: Call or text 211 for local help, or search 211 Bay Area.
CalFresh: Learn how CalFresh works at GetCalFresh, then apply on BenefitsCal.
LawHelpCA: Free legal information on evictions and tenant rights at lawhelpca.org.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Money stress is heavy. Call or text 988 any time, or visit 988lifeline.org.
Related Guides
Looking for more options in and around San Francisco Bay Area? These guides cover churches and nonprofits helping with rent, food, and utility bills:
Closing Thoughts
Falling behind in the Bay Area doesn't mean you messed up. Rent, utilities, and groceries are stacking up for a lot of families. Pick two or three groups from this list that serve your county, call early, and keep copies of your ID, lease, and bills ready.
If you've been served eviction papers, call legal aid the same day. You deserve help, and asking for it is a power move.
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