SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- San Francisco General Hospital Foundation announced it received a $1,122,500 donation from Bank of America as a result of an art auction of works from the company’s own collection held last night, as well as proceeds from a May sales event with Sotheby’s in New York City. The funds will help ensure that San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (SFGH) can continue to pursue its mission that includes access to high quality health care for everyone, including the region's most vulnerable populations; comprehensive emergency and trauma care as San Francisco’s only Level-1 Trauma Center; public health vigilance; education of the next generation of health care professionals; and research to advance the care of its patients.

Last week’s live auction featured six pieces by Bay Area artists, including living artists Wayne Thiebaud and Deborah Oropallo. Artwork included “Study for Parks” by James Weeks (1963), “Dutch Still Life With Primrose” by Paul Wonner (1979), “Number 48” by Elmer Bischoff (1970), “Violin” by Deborah Oropallo (1985), “Palm Ridge from Recent Etchings II” by Wayne Thiebaud, “Etchings II” (1979) and “Two Way II” by Richard Diebenkorn (1982).

SFGH is an essential part of San Francisco’s health care system, serving some 100,000 patients each year and providing 20 percent of the city’s inpatient care. Recognized as one of the nation’s top hospitals, SFGH serves the community with a full complement of inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and psychiatric services for adults and children 24-hours a day.

“We are honored to be the beneficiary of this unique fundraising effort,” said Stephanie Bray, executive director of the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation. “Thanks to Bank of America’s leadership, the funds raised through these auctions will help ensure that San Francisco has a truly world-class hospital that saves lives, serves the communities in need, and improves medicine across the globe.”

Initiated by Bank of America, which has one of the largest corporate collections of artwork, the auction was the culmination of a local initiative among leading San Francisco philanthropists, Pam and Larry Baer, Judy and Richard Guggenhime, and Sotheby’s. Courtney Booth from the internationally recognized auction house, Sotheby’s, was joined by SFMOMA Director Neal Benezra to speak to the importance of the artists and their connection to California. Two hundred members of the community came together to bid on works of art in support of SFGH.

“Bank of America has a rich heritage in San Francisco, and we remain committed to carrying on the legacy of our founder A.P. Giannini through our support of local organizations such as San Francisco General Hospital Foundation,” said Martin Richards, San Francisco market president, Bank of America. “Our commitment to constantly seek new ways to connect with and empower our communities inspired the decision to host an auction and donate notable works by local artists to be sold with the proceeds benefiting SFGHF, a vital institution for the city.”

The Bank of America Art Collection is the result of the combination of many financial companies that are now a part of Bank of America. Bank of America believes that the arts have a unique capability to connect people, communities and cultures and to help economies thrive. The company’s support of the arts is diverse and global, and includes loans from its art collection to museums at no cost through Art in our Communities; monthly free access to more than 150 museums across the United States to its customers through Museums of Us; sponsorships; grants to arts organizations for arts education and other projects; and the preservation of cultural treasures around the globe through the Bank of America Art Conservation Project.