Kathryn "Kay" O'Keeffe
A Generous Bequest
Earlier this year, we received notification that Kathryn “Kay” O’Keeffe had passed away at the age of 103, leaving behind many friends, a lifelong appreciation for cultural arts and education, and a generous bequest to the Foundation.
Kay was born in Bluefield, West Virginia in 1917. Described by those closest to her as an incredibly bright woman ahead of her time, she graduated from college in 1939 with a degree in chemistry before working for the Monsanto Company as a chemist. Kay enjoyed playing bridge (she even toured internationally to play championships during her younger years!), listening to music, and treating herself to her favorite delicacies: bourbon and bacon.
After moving to Santa Fe for her retirement, Kay frequented chamber music concerts at the St. Francis Cathedral and enjoyed the many Native American arts that our city has to offer — that is, while she wasn't spending time with her tight-knit community at El Castillo.
Although Kay never had children of her own, she recognized the importance of education. Her bequest to the Foundation will support charter schools, musical arts, and pregnancy prevention for years to come. We are truly grateful to have a part in honoring Kay's legacy.
Q&A with Las Campanas Community Grant Fund
The Las Campanas Community Grants Funds was established nearly 25 years ago as a means for members of The Club at Las Campanas to take philanthropic action together to support local nonprofits in the greater Santa Fe area.
Q&A with Andrew Rudnick
We sit down with Andrew Rudnick, a seasoned philanthropic leader and fund advisor at the Santa Fe Community Foundation. Andrew’s journey into philanthropy is deeply rooted in personal experiences and shaped by extensive involvement in community foundations. "Community foundations use their staff and general operating funds to leverage what the donors believe in... They also bring generations of families together around philanthropy. The results are an exponential increase in philanthropic impact."
Q&A with Kelly Pope
With a background in educational technology and building curriculum for teachers and students, SFCF fund advisor Kelly Pope is no stranger to the transformative power of education. "There’s so much work to do here in northern New Mexico and it's exciting to work with change makers who have an aligned vision around helping students and families thrive."
