Tom Hay has lived in Boulder County since 1990, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. In the early 90s, he helped launch the Open Door Fund.
Tom Hay (right) and his partner, Mark Hinson (left), have designated a portion of their estates to support our community.
Retired real estate broker Tom Hay has lived in Boulder County since 1990 – first in Louisville, and currently in Boulder – and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“In the early 90s, I was invited – along with 20 other community members – to pledge $1K to launch the Community Foundation’s Open Door Fund,” he says. “That was my introduction to the foundation, and I ‘raised’ the $1K by enlisting nine friends to get involved – we each contributed $100.
“The fund is still up and running, supporting the strengths and needs of the LGBTQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning] population throughout the county. I’m so proud of that – and it’s gratifying to have been involved with the fund since the beginning, and to see the endowment approach $1M.”
Another reason why Tom chose to get involved with the Community Foundation is its role as a community catalyst and convener. “The leadership and staff of the foundation, along with the board, demonstrate such credibility and foresight,” he says. “And they’re very good about involving new people.
“As you go through life and give back in a variety of ways, it’s great to see new people step in who are equally inspired to make a difference.”
Speaking of making a difference, Tom encourages everyone to establish a Will as the first step toward creating a legacy of giving. “Personally, I named the Open Door Fund in my estate plans,” he says. “The fund spans the whole gamut – from teenagers at risk of being bullied to seniors without a partner or other family members to care for them – which I believe is incredibly important.”
Adds Tom, “After Mark and I made sure we’d provided for one another, we also ensured that a portion of our estates goes to support our community. For us, we love that – by planning our giving with the Community Foundation – our money stays local, and makes the greatest impact.”
