About Us

Meet the team behind GivingEdge & Big Day of Giving

At the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, we're all about building a stronger, more generous community.

We care about fostering the giving spirit in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo counties, so we designed this website — GivingEdge — to make it easy for generous people to discover local nonprofits. And we coordinate the region's annual giving day — Big Day of Giving — to celebrate the important work they do and the supporters, like you, who make it possible!

127pxSpacer

undefined

The pace of change in our community is swift. To ensure that everyone who lives, works, and plays in the Sacramento region has the opportunity to flourish, our social sector must be robust — and robustly supported. That's where we come in.

We 💛 the Sacramento region and all of its dynamic, diverse communities. 

At the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, we work in partnership with our donors and community partners to make it more equitable and vibrant — through efforts like GivingEdge and Big Day of Giving as well as the philanthropic services we provide to make giving easy and effective for individuals, families, and businesses who care.

16pxSpacer

undefined
undefined

60pxSpacer

There's more to our work than Big Day of Giving!

Our philanthropic services make it easy for generous people like you to maximize your impact, help your neighbors, and leave a legacy of good. Support causes you care about easily and effectively, immediately or through your estate. 

Think of it as the better way to open a private foundation: You establish a charitable fund with us (or our partner, Yolo Community Foundation) and then make grants from your personalized funds to support the causes you love or offer scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Opening a charitable fund at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation is as simple as: 

1. Give

From the list below, choose the charitable fund that matches your philanthropic goals and make a gift to open your personalized fund.

2. Grow

Your charitable fund grows through sound investments, enabling you to make a greater immediate and long-term impact.

3. Grant

Direct grants from your charitable fund to the causes that matter to you and your loved ones. Our team manages the legwork.

What Fund Is Right For You?

The number one option for donors who value freedom, flexibility, and who plan to give to multiple organizations and programs throughout the year, a Donor Advised Fund offers a hands-on approach to philanthropy.

When you open a charitable fund with us, you become a partner in our community leadership initiatives — including GivingEdge and Big Day of Giving! If you'd like to learn more about how we can help facilitate your philanthropic giving, please visit our website.

50pxSpacer

50pxSpacer

Our Team

We aren't shy about it: There's a great group of people behind this effort, including the Board of Directors and staff of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. 

Foundation Board of Directors

  • Kathy McKim, Hawksbill Group, Chair
  • Garry Maisel, Western Health Advantage, Vice-Chair
  • Scott Syphax, Syphax Strategic Solutions, Interim Secretary
  • Jonathan Lederer, U.S. Bank, Treasurer
  • Kwame Anku, Black Star Fund
  • Angela DePaoli, Bargas Environmental Consulting
  • Gordon Fowler, 3fold Communications
  • Bret Hewitt, Yolo Community Foundation
  • Matthew Jacobs, CalPERS
  • Vince Sales, Everyday Impact Consulting
  • Renee Nunes Taylor, Community Leader
  • Kate Stille, Nugget Markets, Inc.
  • Steven Weiss, The Weiss Group
  • Kate Willcox, Boutin Jones, Inc.

Foundation Staff

  • Kerry Wood, Chief Executive Officer
  • Niva Flor, Chief Impact & Strategy Officer
  • Kelly Siefkin, Chief Philanthropy Officer
  • Naomi Wilson, Chief Financial Officer
  • Tina Bryce, Director of Grants & Scholarships 
  • Vasey Coman, Director of Communications
  • Alondra Correa, Program Assistant
  • Chelsea Fahr, Senior Director of Philanthropy
  • Yolanda Gaffney, Associate Director of Philanthropy
  • Cynthia Gudeman, Senior Accountant
  • Monica Haulman, Associate Director of Programs
  • Maria Patrick, Senior Accountant
  • Katie Poplawski, Controller
  • Brigid Powers, Philanthropy Coordinator
  • Jasmine Ripoyla, Communications Coordinator
  • Anthony Taula-Lieras, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships
  • Regina Van Zant, Office Manager and Executive Assistant to the CEO

45pxSpacer

Contact Us

Have questions about Big Day of Giving, GivingEdge, opening a personalized charitable fund, or making charitable giving a part of your estate planning? Please connect with your team of local philanthropic experts at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. We are always happy to assist!

How can we help?