For Meg and Cary Hendricks, it was their mom – Jan – who inspired them to give to the Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund Boulder County.
For Meg and Cary Hendricks, it was their mom – Jan – who inspired them to give to the Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund Boulder County.
“I wanted to help during COVID-19, but I didn’t want to do all the research on which local organizations needed the most support,” says Jan, also noting that she plans to establish a Donor-Advised Fund at your Community Foundation next year. “So I called the Community Foundation and was really happy to learn about the COVID-19 Response Fund, and that the foundation was already actively involved in directing funds where they’re most needed.”
Adds her daughter, Meg, a Boulder native who currently resides in Aspen: “My mom has always been very focused on charitable giving, and I knew she was getting ready to do her annual allocation. I kept bugging her that we should change this year’s allocation to be focused on COVID-19.
“Then Cary hopped on board, too. Bottom line, our mom has a very strong desire to pass on her values around charitable giving – it’s a topic of conversation at every single family event.”
Cary chimes in, “Over the years, we’ve been working with our mom to start our own giving, and the Community Foundation keeps coming up in our conversations.
“I’m still learning about philanthropy. For me, keeping it local feels good for now.”
Meg further notes how much she appreciates the foundation’s helpful guidance in navigating a range of giving opportunities – even beyond Boulder.
“Boulder will always be close to my heart,” she says. “But beyond my contributing to the COVID-19 Response Fund Boulder County, foundation staff also made me aware of statewide funds to contribute to, and turned me on to the Aspen Community Foundation. I really appreciated the extra support in identifying other opportunities for giving.”
On a recent Zoom call, the trio also made sure to mention their developmentally disabled older sister and daughter, Elise, who passed away three years ago. “She instilled in all of us an understanding of people with disabilities, and an awareness of others,” says Jan. “She became the center of our family, in a way. She taught us so much about unconditional love and forgiveness.”
Adds Cary, “We grew up with compassion in our hearts for people who aren’t the same as us. Giving time and getting to know that population – people with disabilities – was very impactful. Elise opened our eyes to seeing gifts and talents in all people.”
Agrees Meg, “Remembering Elise, remembering others and seeing their gifts – that’s our inspiration. That, and my parents’ deep sense of charitable giving and community work – always thinking of others first.”
