The Shenson Foundation Today

The Shenson Foundation legacy of active and generous support of young artists continued after 2002 under the stewardship of Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston Levin. Like the Shenson brothers, Nancy and Fred dedicated themselves to nurturing and promoting young talent with the goal of insuring long-term career success. The hallmarks of their philanthropic careers are seen not only in the legacy of the Shenson Foundation itself, but also in the many other arts organizations of San Francisco that have benefitted from their service as board members and trustees, their knowledge of marketing and advertising, and their generous and ongoing financial support. After 40 years of marital and philanthropic partnership, Nancy Livingston passed in November of 2019. The Shenson Foundation continues the same unwavering commitment to artists and the arts under Fred’s direction and Nancy’s inspiration.

In memoriam, Nancy Livingston Levin (April 29, 1947 to November 16, 2019)

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, and a graduate of Boston University, Nancy’s energy, creativity, and collaborative skills have made her a much sought-after board member and marketing strategist for non-profit organizations in San Francisco. Her legacy of leadership at the American Conservatory Theater includes her achievements as chair of the Board of Trustees from 2010 to 2017. Nancy was the public facing chair of their first endowment campaign and spearheaded the $30 Million city-wide campaign to renovate the Strand Theater. Her forty-year marriage and philanthropic partnership with Fred Levin have had a lasting impact on numerous artistic, medical, and social service organizations of the Bay Area.

Fred M. Levin

A fourth-generation Californian, Fred’s early career in business (including a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University) and his family’s Bay Area history has informed his role as an arts philanthropist and patron. In partnership with his wife Nancy Livingston, their passionate commitment to the visual and performing arts in particular has contributed to the vitality of organizations such as the Asian Art Museum, the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Performances, the American Conservatory Theatre, the San Francisco Opera, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the San Francisco Film Society (founded by Fred’s father, Irving “Bud” Levin). Family members Ben and Jess Shenson were early role models for Fred’s own civic-minded mission, which included educational, medical, and Jewish social services. Inspired by this legacy, Fred and Nancy lead the Shenson Foundation to identify and present the newest, most talented young artists who in turn will inspire the next generation of audiences and arts consumers.