Donor Spotlight: David Skinner

A Legacy of Giving

At the Santa Fe Community Foundation, our donors and fund advisors are essential partners in building strong, vibrant communities. Through their generosity and insight, they help shape a more equitable and thriving northern New Mexico.

We recently spoke with fund advisor David Skinner about his philanthropic journey, the causes he cares about, and the role community plays in giving.

David’s commitment to philanthropy began early.

“I grew up in a family that was well-known for their philanthropic work,” he shares. “They were involved in large campaigns and supported a wide variety of nonprofits, often serving on boards locally and nationally.”

Through a family foundation focused on communities connected to their business interests, David witnessed firsthand how strategic giving can make a meaningful impact.
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Supporting Thriving Communities

Today, David and his family divide their time between Santa Fe, Seattle, and San Juan Island — but their priorities remain consistent across each place they call home.

“We support affordable housing, immigration, social justice, education, and the arts,” he says. “These are fundamentally important to a healthy society. We need people of all ages, ethnicities, and income levels to have thriving communities.”

His approach reflects a deep belief that strong communities are built through inclusion, opportunity, and access to essential resources.
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The Value of Local Insight

For David, place-based philanthropy requires local knowledge and trusted partnerships.

“We live in Santa Fe half the year,” he explains. “There’s no way we could make rational decisions for our donor-advised fund without input from the Santa Fe Community Foundation.”

Through our deep community relationships and understanding of regional needs, our team helps guide donors and fund advisors like David toward thoughtful, informed giving that creates real impact.

"Wherever you live, start working with a community foundation to learn what organizations are well-managed and how to identify your priorities so you can focus on areas you really care about."

A Partner in Community Impact

David’s story is a powerful reminder that philanthropy is most effective when it is both personal and connected, grounded in values, informed by community, and guided by collaboration.

At the Santa Fe Community Foundation, we are proud to partner with donors like David who are committed to strengthening the communities they call home. Reach out to our team today for assistance with your local giving: giving@santafecf.org.