DONOR IMPACT
“You can feel the traditions and cultures branch out all around you. Los Angeles invites you to live in all parts of the world at the same time,” says Betsy Gonzalez about why she and her husband, Adrian Gonzalez, love Los Angeles. “Our City of Angels was more than a stop along Adrian’s career trajectory as a National League Baseball player.”
As a family, they are invested in the success of Los Angeles, and all its residents. Their giving reflects what they value – education, health, athletics and women’s empowerment.
“When you use your blessings and gifts to help someone else rise, and then they help another person succeed, the world becomes a better place for everyone,” Adrian says.
Adrian and Betsy partner with California Community Foundation (CCF) to better the lives of young people through their scholarship fund. They were able to choose a fund option, establish criteria and determine their own degree of involvement while supporting underprivileged students.
In 2020, Betsy established the Mia Becar Foundation, created through her luxury shoe company. Collaborating with CCF, their foundation is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurial women all over the world. “We are committed to empowering women and their families to live their best lives,” says Betsy. “Our core values focus on where passion meets purpose to help build communities while working together to make the world a better place.”
CCF helps donors with a passion to give transform generosity into impact on the causes and issues they care about most. We provide services tailored to meet their unique needs and interests, from custom giving plans to arranging site visits and identifying promising giving opportunities.
This year many of our donors needed help and advice on giving during the pandemic. When Adrian and Betsy understood the magnitude of personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages at our local hospitals, they procured thousands of N95 masks, and CCF helped find the most effective and efficient way to distribute the masks.
Our staff specializes in finding the most effective organization to meet donors’ charitable goals, anywhere in the world. This year, our donors supported an array of causes and nonprofits, using their donor advised funds to give more than 5,290 grants totaling more than $205 million.
“We always call CCF when we have questions about giving. They take the time to offer advice and make us feel confident about our philanthropy,” Betsy reflects on CCF. “We think everyone that works there is part angel because they are compassionate and helpful.”
