Denise and Donald Timmons Fund

Paying it forward

Foundation fundholders Denise and Donald Timmons grew up in rural parts of California and learned early on the value of hard work and determination. Denise was raised in Modesto and moved to Sacramento when she was in the eighth grade, and Donald’s childhood was spent in Eureka. He relocated to Sacramento in 1966, and eventually met Denise in 1980. Their courtship lasted for 13 years, and they recently celebrated a significant milestone—their 25th wedding anniversary.

After many successful years in their respective careers and business ventures, their hard work paid off as they now enjoy retirement in both the Land Park and Carmel areas, spending time on what they love most: travel, reading, the arts, and their 22-month old dog, Charlie. What they’ve found in Sacramento is a place they call home and a community they want to help make even stronger.

As long as they have lived in Sacramento, they have supported many local nonprofit organizations such as Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Restoration House, Loaves and Fishes, Crocker Art Museum, Verge, B Street Theater, Opening Doors, Sacramento Zoo, and Shriners Children’s Hospital. But five years ago they discovered the Sacramento Region Community Foundation and learned the value of consolidating their charitable giving into one fund to benefit these, and many other, nonprofits.

“We were updating our living trust and thought we would create our own Foundation,” said Denise. “Our attorney suggested that we, instead, establish a Donor Advised Fund at the Foundation, and it has made our charitable giving so easy and fun. As an additional benefit, utilizing the Foundation has provided more flexibility in our tax planning.”

Through the Denise and Donald Timmons Fund, grants are made to support many
different sectors such as the arts, education, hunger, homelessness, and foster youth.
Denise reflected on what inspires them to be generous and passionate about their philanthropic efforts, “We are blessed in so many ways, and it is important to us to
give back to the community.”