San Francisco AIDS Foundation works to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the city where it first took hold, and eventually everywhere. Established in 1982, its mission is the radical reduction of new infections in San Francisco. Through education, advocacy, and direct services for prevention and care, the foundation confronts HIV in communities most vulnerable to the disease.


2017 will be my third time riding the annual AIDS Lifecycle, a fund- and awareness-raising bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles.  This event benefits SFAF and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.  So far I have raised over $15,000 for this organization, and I hope to double that amount in 2017.  Any lesson donation will go toward my fundraising efforts for this event.

​Muttville Senior Dog Rescue is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the lives of senior dogs. On a local level, Muttville rescues senior dogs and finds them new homes or gives them hospice. On a global level, Muttville provides information about caring for older dogs and support for people who do.


I volunteer in the Muttville veterinary clinic several days/week, helping conduct physical exams, administer vaccinations and medications, analyze blood work, and more.  If you choose Muttville as your donation recipient the money will go toward medical expenses for the dogs, healthy dog food and other shelter-related necessities.

​Get on the floor!

$10 of every lesson I sell goes to a nonprofit organization doing good and important work, and I ask my students to choose the organization they would like their money to support.  These are groups to which I donate my own time and energy, and which I trust to use donated funds responsibly.

The Dirty Girls of Lesvos collect, wash and redistribute clothes, blankets, sleeping bags, bedding and any other materials in good condition which have been used by refugees living in camps in Greece. They show respect for the wellbeing and dignity of refugees, and for the environment.


In March, 2016, I spent 2 weeks on the island of Lesvos, Greece, volunteering with Dirty Girls to help Syrian and Afghan refugees arriving in boats from Turkey.  It was an incredible experience, and I saw first-hand the dedication of DG's founder to help people in need, and to stretch every donation to its maximum.  If you choose Dirty Girls of Lesvos as your donation recipient the money will go toward providing clean bedding and clothing to refugees living in camps in Greece.