Inspired philanthropy: Diane Martinez

For Diane Martinez, her ATL is one that gives a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. Her philanthropy focuses on nonprofits that support animal welfare or assist children. She began thinking differently about philanthropy when she lived overseas and witnessed extreme poverty, including seeing children in deplorable conditions, just as she was raising her own young family.

Through her work as a certified health and life coach, Martinez has a particular passion for helping women and vulnerable families, and for nonprofits that take a holistic approach to well-being. Her Kinship with All Beings Fund is inspired by a quote from Pema Chödrön: “True compassion does not come from wanting to help out those less fortunate than ourselves but from realizing our kinship with all beings.”

Martinez especially looks forward to the Foundation’s Extra Wish giving catalog each holiday season. She sees these gifts as tangible, specific and spanning all impact areas, gifts that you feel confident the organizations really need. For our 2018 catalog she asked her philanthropic officer what wishes were outstanding toward the end of the holiday season. Realizing that a few wishes were yet to be granted she decided to fund everything that was left. “How fun to finish it up,” she said, “it was too fun not to do.”

“For me, the Community Foundation is a great answer, it’s a purposeful way to make a significant impact and to give to well-run nonprofits that get to the people you want to serve.” – Diane Martinez

This story was originally shared in our 2018 Annual Report. To read the full report, click here.