Stories of Generosity
From the donors who chose to fund their passions, to the outstanding organizations receiving the funds, here is a sample of the generosity and commitment to excellence in San Diego.
Great Grants
Last year, The San Diego Foundation was extremely pleased to once again grant out more than $60 million to outstanding organizations in San Diego. It is an honor to connect our donors to the causes they care about, creating impact that enhances the quality of life in such areas as the environment, arts & culture, civil society, education, and science and technology.Among the hundreds of grants:
We distributed a cumulative total of more than $240,000 through donor advised funds to a variety of relief efforts in
Haiti.
A $90,000 grant made from the
Mission Bay Park Endowment Fund at The San Diego Foundation to the City of San Diego enables funding and preservation of community fire pits at area beaches. The 185 fire pits at San Diego city beaches and shoreline parks were slated for elimination in 2008 as a cost-saving measure in light of the recession and budget cuts. While an anonymous donor’s generous contribution funded the program through June 2010, a grant from the Mission Bay Park Endowment Fund secured the program’s continuance, cleaning and maintenance through June 2011.
Two grants totaling $16,124 were made from
Jill’s Foundation Fund to Chollas Meade Elementary School for the purchase of the Renaissance Learning Reading Program and books for the Reading Fundamentals program. Jill’s Foundation Fund is a memorial fund created in honor of the donor’s mother, and has been funded by her family and friends.
Three grants totaling $15,000 from the
Danny Riley Celebration of Life Fund were made to ARTS: A Reason To Survive. From the time he was very small, Danny Riley (1987-2007) expressed a talent and passion for music. His music became a vibrant means of sharing his love and struggle as he lived with brain cancer for nearly three years. Danny’s passing on October 31, 2007, sparked a number of efforts to honor him, the music he loved and produced, and the brave journey he led. The Danny Riley Celebration of Life Fund helps children and young people like Danny, who have cancer or other serious conditions, to experience the healing art of music by providing them with musical instruments, education, and other musical experiences.
Inspiring Stories
Krishna and Bonnie Arora
Krishna and Bonnie Arora learned about The San Diego Foundation from an article that appeared in the business section of the San Diego Union-Tribune.This special couple feels they have been blessed in many ways in their lives, and contribute to The San Diego Foundation as a way to give back to San Diego.They hope is that their connection to The San Diego Foundation’s community knowledge and leadership will help them identify the areas of greatest need, and allow them to follow the results of their contributions through The Foundation’s work.
Rick and Denice Bay Fund
Rick Bay established the Rick and Denice Bay Fund to help those less fortunate, and to memorialize their family name.The fund will support causes for the general good, with a special emphasis in assisting homeless, care of animals, and amateur sports organizations outside of the school and college community.
Rick was the Athletics Director at the University of Oregon, the Ohio State University, and the University of Minnesota, before coming to San Diego to become Athletics Director at San Diego State University.He also served as Chief Operating Officer for the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians.As well as being a physical fitness enthusiast, he is also a patron of the arts.
Denice worked as a membership director for the University Club atop Symphony Tower where she founded the Executive Women's Council.Before coming to San Diego, Denice was the membership director of several private clubs across the country for her company, Club Corporation of America.During her 20-year career, she was among the company's top ten membership sales managers every year, and was nominated as the nation's "membership director of the year" three times.
The Bays were married for 23 years and traveled around the world together.Mrs. Bay was killed in a tragic automobile accident in 2007, at the age of 53. Upon her death, Mr. Bay established this fund in her honor to support, among other organizations, the Imbabazi Children's Orphanage in Gisenyi, Rwanda, which the Bay's had visited.This fund will be a reminder of Denice's kindred spirit, vivacious personality, and her bright smile.
Gift that Keeps Giving – A Legacy for Arc
On September 30th of last year, Marcie Beckett joined staff from The San Diego Foundation to present a $100,000 grant to The Arc of San Diego, and to tour the Beckett Computer Lab which had been established in 2009 with a previous grant.
Her parents, Herbert and Marcella Beckett, had established an endowment fund in 1977 to benefit developmentally disabled adults and children. The couple was interested in helping The Arc of San Diego provide vocational training. Read more about Marcie’s visit.
In Marcie’s own words:
My parents would be pleased and gratified to see that their gift to the San Diego Foundation has been used to build and operate the Beckett Computer Lab at ARC. When I visited the lab, I saw seven developmentally disabled people fully engaged in using those computers. They were all obviously enjoying their activities that included Facebook, puzzle solving, food shopping, picture matching and art. I remember when my own children were very young and how excited they were when they got a chance to play on the computer. This is exactly how I think the ARC clients were feeling in the Beckett Computer Lab. In contrast to feeling frustrated and powerless due to their disabilities, they were feeling a great sense of control and accomplishment as they persevered in mastering their computer tasks. I think this is a perfect match for my parents’ gift and I am so glad I got to see it firsthand. I also want to commend both ARC and the San Diego Foundation for the wonderful work they do to help developmentally disabled people.
Thanks, Marcie Beckett
James R. and Geraldine F. Bertelsen Fund
Mrs. Geraldine F. Bertelsen was a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Carlsbad from 1955 until her death in 1994. She was a devout Catholic who valued her education at Catholic grammar and high schools. Mr. James R. Bertelsen was a retired Marine Master Sergeant, and, though not a Catholic, he always drove his wife to mass at St. Patrick’s until his death in 1992. The Bertelsens were married August 3, 1946 at the San Gabriel Mission.
The Bertelsens believed that faith and education are the cornerstones in every successful community. To build upon their belief and to honor their love for children, the Bertelsen’s estate established a scholarship in their family name to assist Catholic college-bound students. Due to the Bertelsens’ exceptional generosity, this scholarship program will continue to grow indefinitely, and the couple's dream will be realized.
Blasker-Rose-Miah Fund
Old problems require new thinking for resolution.Samuel M. Blasker believed in encouraging and supporting innovative approaches to solve the critical environmental problems facing us today.To further his vision, Mr. Blasker endowed The San Diego Foundation with $8 million to inspire and support new ways of thinking about environmental issues while maintaining precious ecosystems.
The Foundation established the Blasker Award and Education Program to honor Mr. Blasker's wish to benefit humankind through innovative scientific advancements. The Blasker Award is a cash award of $250,000 given to an individual or group of individuals who provide the most creative and innovative contribution that leads toward resolution of a specific environmental problem.The Blasker Education Program has endowed Chairs of Environmental Engineering at San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego.The program supports three fellowships per chair.
Jack and Jill Campbell
Jack and Jill Campbell had a simple desire: to help people. Jill grew up witnessing her father's philanthropic and volunteer efforts, and learned the fundamental lesson that all of us should help others in need.Jack was severely affected by polio as a child and received medical care with the assistance of nonprofit organizations, experiencing for himself the value of people reaching out to help one another.Knowing firsthand the benefits of a community working together, the Campbells felt it important to contribute to The San Diego Foundation.In their words: "We hope to make our community, and the world, a little better with our gifts.”
Cliff and Carolyn Colwell
Giving is a family affair for Cliff and Carolyn Colwell. The couple came to The San Diego Foundation because they wanted to give back to the San Diego community, and encourage their family to participate in the process. Through their donations, they not only help strengthen San Diego for generations to come, but also pass on the importance of giving by involving other family members in philanthropic decisions. Preserving the environment, supporting healthcare research, and teaching the importance of health promotion are all important to the Colwells. That is why The San Diego Foundation, which includes programs in each of these areas, is such a good fit for this generous couple.
Mary and Rufus DeWitt Fund
The family of Rufus and Mary DeWitt established a fund in their parent's name to honor their legacy of community service.The fund supports development and education for disadvantaged youth of southeast San Diego.Rufus was a very dynamic person and a fighter for the underprivileged, helping people whenever and wherever he could. As the first African-American executive director of a San Diego County YMCA, he was an exemplary role model who left the community in better condition than he found it. Rufus was a founder of the Elementary Institute of Science and the Southeast Community Theatre now known as Common Ground Theatre.Later he became an administrator with the San Diego Community College District.
Mary was an educator who taught more than 40 years in San Diego, Alabama and Tennessee.She has also been actively involved in the community for many years and was a major force behind the Martin Luther King Jr. Pageant and Parade.Mary is a founding member of Women, Inc., and was responsible for bringing the Breakfast for M'Lady fundraiser to the San Diego Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Dr. Floyd Gaffney Memorial Fund
Dr. Floyd Gaffney taught theatre and dance for more than 25 years at UCSD. His splendid and pioneering efforts in the Performing Arts helped to launch the campuses theater and dance program. The Dr. Floyd Gaffney Memorial Fund proudly supports African American performing arts and culture throughout the San Diego Region.
Chuck and Jo-an Howe
Several years ago Chuck and Jo-an Howe sought out the San Diego Foundation to be the vehicle they would use to support many religious, charitable and community organizations locally and around the world. The couple was very impressed by the work The Foundation does in a variety of areas and chose to open a fund as well as contribute to the Friends of the Foundation. In their own words: “We felt that we should contribute to the Friends ofthe Foundation to support The Foundation’s wonderful work in our community.”
The Dell Hunter Memorial Flag Fund
Mollie Hunter cannot stand to see a torn and tattered American flag.So, when she spotted such a sight in front of San Diego's main library 20 years ago, she dashed up the stairs and offered to buy a new flag for the facility. That action eventually led to the creation of a designated fund at The Foundation. Named in memory of her late husband, the fund makes certain that a fresh American flag and a fresh California State flag are always flying outside San Diego's main library. Any distributable balance that is left over each year after purchasing the flags goes to support the Downtown City Library Music Department, in Dell’s name.
Jill's Foundation
Jill Gonzalez was known for her passion for reading, and for the enjoyment she got from sharing books from her overflowing bookshelves. A native San Diegan, Jill was also known for her extraordinary generosity, and her deep love of her children, grandchildren, and other family members. In order to honor Jill and fund her passions, her loved ones established Jill's Foundation, which is dedicated to helping children develop a love of reading. Just one example of the fund’s impact is a recent grant to Chollas Mead Elementary School to purchase the Renaissance Learning Accelerated Reader Program, which tests the reading and comprehension levels of elementary students. As many as 800 of “Jill’s Kids” were awarded at the end of the school year for participating in the program, with special honors for top-scoring readers.
For information on setting up a foundation or fund to give to your passion, please contact
Adrienne Vargas
Bill and Shirley Kimmich
Bill and Shirley have come to care deeply about their community by living people-oriented lives, and through their roles as lifelong educators. Through their contributions, Bill and Shirley know that The San Diego Foundation, which has an outstanding Community Scholarships and Teachers’ Fund program, will create meaningful results in an area they passionately believe in.Looking to the future to encourage up-and-coming philanthropists, Bill and Shirley also engage their two grandchildren, Ben and Sara, in their philanthropic efforts. In this way they model to future generations their belief in the importance of promoting community giving.
John C. Malugen
John came to San Diego to practice law over 35 years ago, and he understands how good the San Diego community has been to him, both professionally and as a place to live a full and satisfying life.John cares about helping those in the community who have not been as fortunate. By contributing to the work of The San Diego Foundation, which includes a program focusing on the well-being of San Diego’s citizens, John can be confident that his donations will lead to positive, long-lasting results.
The Mary E. Nordstrom Family Fund
The Mary E. Nordstrom Family Fund supports Mary's highlighted charity, Brother Bennos, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that has served the poor and homeless in San Diego North County since 1983. She also earmarked a portion of her fund for her children's discretionary allocation to causes of their interest.
Harold and Kay Kutler were inspired to found Brother Bennos after attending a speech in Philadelphia by Mother Theresa in which she spoke of feeding the hungry. Upon their return to San Diego, they abandoned their retirement plans and opened their first soup kitchen in 1983. Kay Kutler entered the facility on the first night and suddenly embraced a homeless gentleman who had arrived for the Kutler's first offered meal. With that first hug, she was overwhelmed with a certainty of her calling. She has embraced every guest since and the current hug estimate exceeds 700,000.
From the inspiration of Mother Theresa to the generous gift from a loving mother, The Mary E. Nordstrom Family Fund continues to positively impact San Diego.
Pacific Western Bank Foundation
During the tragic wildfires in October 2007, Pacific Western Bank, the largest independent bank headquartered in San Diego and a subsidiary of PacWest Bancorp, opened a fund at The San Diego Foundation.As San Diego’s leading business bank, Pacific Western is dedicated to helping businesses grow and improve the communities they serve.
Pacific Western Bank wanted to take an active and visible role in the rebuilding efforts after the fires, and to make a significant contribution to help ease the recovery for businesses and individuals affected by the wildfires. To date, the Pacific Western Bank Fund has generously donated a substantial amount of money to benefit firefighters, policemen and their families. In addition, monies from this fund will be used for future projects geared toward improving the lives of those in all communities served by the Bank. With approximately $5.2 billion dollars in assets and 60 branches through San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, Pacific Western is the 14th-largest bank headquartered in California.
Jack Pickard
The San Diego Foundation was honored to be the beneficiary of a significant gift from the estate of Jack Pickard. A La Jolla resident, Jack Pickard was known as an extremely determined, generous and passionate man, pursuing his beliefs with full force and drive.
Jack enlisted as a Private in the U.S. Army before WWII, and eventually was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Jack went on to distinguish himself as a bomber pilot during the war. For his extraordinary service, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the military award second only to the Medal of Honor.
Originally from Philadelphia, Jack truly loved San Diego. Among his other contributions to the region, Jack gave a gift to the City of San Diego to restore the historic Irving Gill fountain in Horton Plaza.
Jack didn’t let challenges stand in his way. When he was diagnosed 20 years ago with macular degeneration and told he would go blind, he hired professional help and trained himself to operate with only peripheral vision. Despite living with almost complete blindness, he played tennis until the day he died.
Frank and Ellen Quick
At the San Diego Foundation our donors create our successes. One example is the gift from Frank and Ellen Quick. A goal of their fund is the development of trails that provide pedestrian access to coastal cliff areas, while simultaneously preserving natural features and preventing erosion.
Frank and Ellen showed the difference that passion can make for an entire community. Their generous contribution of $100,000 supports the trail construction of the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Hillside Section Improvements Project. Dedicated in 1983, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a beloved and beautiful spot. The 50-acre hillside section, a designated multiple species conservation area, links the 640-acre Point Loma Ecological Reserve to the southern portion of the area.
James W. Royle
Jim Royle has a history of involvement in the San Diego Community. His charitable interests include arts and culture and the environment, two areas of focus within The San Diego Foundation. In 1988, Jim connected with The Foundation because he knew he wanted to support a variety of worthwhile organizations.Over the years, in addition to his contribution to the Friends of the Foundation, Jim has also generously given to the San Diego region by opening two funds and providing for a future gift from his estate. In Jim’s own words: “I want to support The Foundation now to help ensure it’s around when I’m not.”
Evelyn M. Wilhelm
Evelyn Wilhelm cared about helping people and supporting good causes, so she chose to give to The San Diego Foundation. Evelyn's wish was to be able to help needy women who are in vulnerable situations, to support Christian causes, and to help those in need. By contributing to her community through The San Diego Foundation, Evelyn knew her dollars would be spent in only the most meaningful and impactful ways.
Evelyn was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to parents who emigrated from Norway.Evelyn met her husband during the World War II; he served in the military and was from San Diego. When they retired they decided to return to San Diego County and settled in Oceanside. Evelyn was a volunteer at Tri-City Medical Center for more than 20 years.
Dr. Chun B. and Dr. Gloria Yim
The story of Chun and Gloria Yim is one of determination and inspiration. They both came to live in the United States in the 1960s. Chun got a job at an Aztec restaurant by telling the manager he would work for nothing for a day to prove himself. Gloria learned English by reading the Sears Catalogue page by page. Thus began a wonderful, successful journey for the Yims. Among a long history of accomplishments, the Yims currently own the Sierra Padre Mill Co., the New Lincoln Center and the Yim Hotel chain. When they decided they were ready to share their fortune with those in need of their help, the Yims came to The San Diego Foundation, knowing their dollars would be used to help inspire others to achieve their own stories of success.