The Fillet Foundation (TFF)
Nzilani’s Nonprofit “Sister”
“Start slow, and go with what you know.”
…but be open to unexpected possibilities.
TFF is based on four pillars:
Conservation
Accessibility
Restorative Preservation
Engagement
We C.A.R.E’d a lot in 2025!
98 people directly served
212 folks reached
Lead Safety for Stained Glass and Historic Windows
Our very first community engagement project was the creation of a pamphlet, titled “Lead Safety for Stained Glass and Historic Windows”.
Written in accessible language with lots of graphics, it’s a great “cheat sheet” for people embarking on home projects and craftspeople; as well as a guide for folks looking to hire a contractor who will follow state and federal guidelines.
Downloadable for free on our website in English or Spanish.
Our goal is to share tips to protect folks who actually do the work and those around them.
A New Opportunity -
Our first joint training program
Rising Sun Center for Opportunity is an organization we’ve wanted to pair based on our shared commitment to community engagement and workforce development. In 2025, TFF began plans to move into a warehouse building with old, multi-panel steel sashes. Preserving the windows and replacing the plexiglas panes with real glass was one of the main goals prior to moving in.
Every Fall, “Rising Sun” has a course titled Women Building the Bay which “connects women and non-binary students to careers in the trades”. TFF proposed that refurbishing the windows would be an amazing hands-on opportunity for this group. We know training takes longer than working with skilled professionals - and we were prepared for that.
What we didn’t expect was the amount of enthusiasm we received; plus commitment from key sponsors. We planned on accepting 14 people (up to two groups of 7) to join us. Students choose from a variety of trades at Rising Sun, and windows we thought aren’t for everyone.
After the entire cohort had an initial tour - Nzilani’s studios for museum art glass/historic window preservation examples and the warehouse to look at the steel windows - all 27 people wanted to participate!
This proves that interest IN and passion FOR architectural preservation is NOT waning. If you provide opportunities for people to learn about it as a profession, they will pursue it.
The Fillet Foundation is the ONLY program that provides this type of hands-on architectural preservation training in the Bay Area.
Sponsors
We initially reached out to Dovetail Workwear and RedWing Shoes to see if they would sponsor 14 students by donating a pair of gloves and boots for EACH participant to keep. We were elated when they said "yes".
Imagine our immense gratitude when both companies doubled their donations after we shared all 27 students wanted to be part of our glazing experience!
Both companies are helmed by women and champion tradesperson training through their Corporate Social Responsibility Outreach.
Nzilani also donated-in-kind two team members to help support the larger group sizes by answering questions, guiding proper tool handling and reminding everyone to wear their PPE’s. As a "thank you", they also were provided boots from Red Wing.
Dovetail Gloves in Action
Participants model their new RedWing shoes with Ariana (also in RedWings)
Hear about the impact of our first cohort directly from one of our participants -
Veronica J.
Small groups enabled us to fully support participants in learning new tasks:
Learning to cut glass - to a 1/16” tolerance
Documenting and assessing each window section with a preservation lens
Safely removing old putty around each of the panes (materials had been tested by us to ensure they didn’t contain lead or asbestos)
Refurbishing the steel frames as needed
Removing plexiglass “panes” (training in spring clip removal)
Installing glass pane replacements
Applying a putty bevel with traditional glazing putty
First time cutting glass to 2"x2" squares
The first group starts on the windows
Proof of Concept = a new Hire
Recently, due to an influx of new projects, Nzilani needed to expand its team. A few people from the pilot cohort expressed a deep interest in window preservation and went through Nzilani's normal, rigorous hiring process.
After reviewing many applicants from out of state as well as locally, the newest member of Nzilani (who demonstrated quick and smooth putty bevels and comfort on a ladder) was part of TFF's initial training program!
This proves that interest in and passion for architectural preservation is NOT waning. If you provide opportunities for people to learn about it as a profession, they will pursue it. The Fillet Foundation is the ONLY program that provides this type of hands-on architectural preservation training in the Bay Area.
For our next cohort, we look forward to expanding our connections of interested folks with our network of preservation companies in the Bay Area and beyond.
3 ways to support us
Donations
Consider donating by the end of the year. Remember, as a 501.C3 all donations to TFF are tax deductible. Take advantage of signing up for a repeating donation option - even the cost of a beverage and a snack (or $15/mo) can make a BIG difference in our upcoming programming.
Volunteer
Do you have a special operational or preservation skill you can share with us? Do you want to join like-minded people to learn a specific preservation building skill? We’ll be rolling out opportunities in our future TFF mailing list, so don’t forget to sign up!
Corporate Sponsors
Do you know of a grant or sponsor that might be a good fit for TFF? Please share it with us at hello@thefilletfoundation.org. Our wishlist includes (but is not limited to): tools, PPE’s (respirators, safety glasses, tyvek suits, etc.), general hardware and art supplies.
Where will your money go?
It’s not flashy, but it’s how the work gets done. A solid general operating budget is the backbone of every successful organization. Before we can do the fun stuff, we need to ensure staff and outside contractors are paid, participants and volunteers are covered by insurance plus general operating expenses like rent and online presence subscriptions to get the word out about our good work. Other costs go to providing tools & PPE that can be used during training or covering event budgets like food & drinks. We hope to build alliances with local businesses who can support our vision by hiring them for special events.
Still Reading?
Remember to sign up for the newsletter!
Here's a Sneak Peek into our Plans for 2026
GOALS: What we plan to do in 2026
Have one paid staff member (part or ideally full time)
Host at least one community preservation outreach event at the new building
Commit to training the next cohort of Rising Sun “Women Build the Bay” in the Fall of 2026 (hosted in the new building)
AMBITION: What we hope to do in 2026
Roll out a Certified California Apprenticeship Program for Preservation training in the Bay Area - this will help us tap into much needed grant funding and help us grow our training program
Fund one intern to be placed in a window preservation opportunity (4-6 weeks) in the West Coast
S T R E T C H: With your help we can make 2026 even more memorable!
Fund one intern (4-6 weeks) to work with a preservation specialist (carpentry, metal, paintings, decorative plaster are a few of our ideas from our contacts) - TFF covers the paperwork/overhead so the specialist can get down to training
In Community & Appreciation,
Ariana, ED of The Fillet Foundation
*Special thanks for Rising Sun Center for Opportunity*
