Giving with Purpose – Ken & Mary Wright
Ken and Mary Wright, CFMC Donor Advisor Fund Holders, share how they give with purpose. Ken is a CFMC board member and Soberanes Fire Grant Committee member, Mary is former CFMC board chair.
Donor Advised Funds – Proactive Grantmaking
Donor advised funds through the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) allow donors to really target very specifically what their interests are and allow them to be a proactive part of making the grant and the opportunity to learn from the Community Foundation, who are so rich in their understanding of the needs of Monterey County.
My husband and I have a donor advised fund that is countywide in some of its interests but also focused on the Big Sur community where we live that really enriches our philanthropy by making us feel very proactive in our giving.” – Mary Wright, Big Sur Resident, Former CFMC Board Chair
The challenges that exist in our county, throughout our county, these challenges exist today and they are going to exist in the future and the Community Foundation through its staff and its board of directors are willing to take a look at those challenges and try and find solutions.
I always feel that the grants given by the community foundation are given with a lot of expertise behind the recommendations that ultimately result in good things being done by those organizations.
Responding to Need – Soberanes Fire Fund
Soberanes Fire/Ken Wright
Recent events here in Monterey County have caused us to reflect on the advantages of having a Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation for Monterey County. The Soberanes Fire Fund is an example of the leadership that the CFMC provides to our County, and the flexibility of a donor advised fund.
A critical need was recognized during the Soberanes wild fire that has so impacted the Big Sur community. We were able to make timely contributions to the Soberanes Fire Fund knowing that the Community Foundation would direct resources to critical needs in a timely manner. The fund has since raised more than $550,000 and has granted more than $200,000 to local, on the ground nonprofit organizations aiding in relief and recovery.
This leadership was present in the aftermath of the Tassajara Fire in 2015, the Food Bank Fire in Salinas in 2015, as well as the Pfeiffer Ridge Fire in 2013 which destroyed 34 homes in 12 hrs.
We feel that along with our choices to fund community organizations, the CFMC helps us support nonprofits requiring expedited resources in order to respond to critical community needs.” – Ken Wright
Fund Named to Honor Inspirational Friend – Doris Parker Fee
Ken Wright & Doris Parker Fee /Photo Ken Wright
The Doris Parker Fee Fund has an interest in Big Sur primarily. Doris was a 70 plus year resident of the Coast and gave always to the community of Big Sur in all kinds of ways. It was a way for us to honor her.
While we are guided by what we believe Doris was interested in and committed to in her lifetime, we also like the Community Foundation for Monterey County itself looks to the future and needs that may not have existed in Doris’ lifetime that we can respond to as well.
The Community Foundation is here forever.” – Ken Wright
Giving with Purpose – Ken and Mary Wright (video)
View the full video interview with Ken and Mary Wright as they share how their donor advised fund enriches their philanthropy
The CFMC manages more than 400 charitable funds established by individuals, families, and businesses. Donor advised funds can be created quickly and easily with a gift of $5,000. To learn more, please contact Dan Baldwin, President/CEO or Christine Dawson, Vice President of Philanthropic Services at 831.375.9712.