The way Vicki and Moisés Barón see it, philanthropy is an investment. And just like any other investment, you want to make certain your philanthropy is going to have an impact and bring about transformational change.
Which is why the Baróns have founded several funds at San Diego Foundation (SDF), including an endowed fund that has generously supported scores of college scholarships. It’s also why the Barons are members of the SDF Fifty & Forward Campaign Council, which is playing a critical role in the Foundation’s 50th-anniversary goal of granting $500 million to realize San Diego’s greatest opportunities in three key areas: education, children and families, and the environment – and raising $1 billion to help shape our community’s future.
Why SDF?
“One of the things for me, honestly, was the sense of community and family within the Foundation,” Vicki said. “I feel like I’m part of something that is not only helping the region, but I’ve developed amazing friendships. And that’s important to me, feeling that I’m part of something larger that is making an impact.”
Moisés echoed the sentiment, adding: “To be able to be part of a process that can bring about systemic change and more of a collective impact is very attractive.”
The Path to Philanthropy
She’s from Boston. He’s from Mexico City. Both are committed to helping others and both have been involved with SDF for more than two decades.
A first-generation college student from a working-class family who also is a retired marriage and family therapist, Vicki was inspired to become involved with SDF after the sudden death of her first husband, Scott McIntyre, in 1999. She was introduced to the Foundation by her financial advisor at the time and founded a fund in Scott’s memory focused on supporting education.
Moisés recently retired as president and CEO of the San Diego Center for Children, the longest-standing nonprofit supporting children in the region, a nonprofit providing therapeutic care, specialized education, and critical life skills for children and families struggling with mental and behavioral health issues.
Their experiences have informed their investing in a diverse array of causes that range from education and health and human services to cancer research. Among SDF partner nonprofits that the couple are close to is the San Diego Center for Children and the Barrio Logan College Institute, the latter a nonprofit that is breaking the cycle of poverty through after-school programs and mentorship that are guiding youth from underserved communities onto a pathway to college. Virtually all of its nearly 800 program alumni have enrolled in a four-year college or university, and nearly 90% have graduated.
“It was so helpful learning about the community through the SDF and the San Diego Women’s Foundation. I was impressed with many organizations, but being a first-generation college grad myself, when I connected with Barrio Logan College Institute, I felt a sense of true connection,” Vicki said. “I put myself through college with the help of a few generous people and some grants, and I feel so privileged to be able to do that for others.”
Aligned Giving
For Vicki and Moisés, it all comes down to aligned giving for greater impact, which is why they have been involved with SDF for most of this century. Their investment in causes important to them will live on through a generous legacy fund, that will ensure their impact for generations to come.
“For people who have an interest in philanthropy, it’s important to learn how you go about it, how to make decisions, how to make selections, how to identify the community investments you want to make,” Moisés said. “And San Diego Foundation is a great resource to educate yourself, which is absolutely crucial because people feel more empowered when they have more information, more knowledge, more understanding.”
“What caught our attention about SDF is that it creates a sense of community. You’re meeting like-minded people, learning from them, about their interests and what they’re passionate about, being able to expand the scope of understanding about philanthropy, and also being able to leverage what you are giving to maximize the impact of your contribution,” Vicki said.
Added the Baróns: “Promoting the Foundation is ultimately about highlighting the crucial work of the nonprofits that are being supported by SDF.”
