Ed and Maria Gale
Building Resilience
In 2000, Ed and Maria each moved to Santa Fe, where they met each other, discovered many common interests, and got married. They became active in local philanthropy, wanting to giveback to the community that had been so warm and welcoming to them. In 2018, the Gales established their donor advised fund at the Santa Fe Community Foundation.
“We find that the Foundation is a terrific source of information about nonprofits in northern New Mexico,” said Maria. “Through our donor advised fund we are able to make targeted grants to mission appropriate organizations that make a real difference.”
During the height of the COVID pandemic, like so many others, the Gales made an immediate and heartfelt decision to increase their support for frontline service providers. “Our work with the Foundation is a real partnership that fulfills our philanthropic goals of building resilience in our community.”
Stronger Together: The Impact of Donor Advised Funds
One of the most popular ways community members partner with the Santa Fe Community Foundation is through donor advised funds, which have become the nation’s fastest-growing philanthropic tool for their ease, flexibility, and tax advantages.
The Origin of Dollars4Schools: Creating a Local Helping Hand
In 2010, after attending a Santa Fe Public School board meeting where teachers spoke about the lack of basic supplies in their classrooms, local business owners Pat and Michael French were determined to find a platform to let the public directly help Santa Fe teachers in need. While national resources existed to help teachers lacking classroom supplies, Dollars4Schools (D4S) would be unique in that all funds raised privately would go 100% to meeting local teacher needs.
Piñon Legacy Society: Creating a Lasting Local Impact
The Santa Fe Community Foundation is a valuable resource for donors who want to make a lasting impact in their local community. We spoke with Bud Hamilton and Sherry Parker, two members of our Piñon Legacy Society, about their decision to make a planned gift.