Malcolm W. Robinson Foundation

Honoring a Life of Distinction

As they had done throughout their careers as university professors, Malcolm and Surang Robinson planned to spend their retirement making life better for others. During all those years, they saved money so they could assist those who needed help. And when they retired, they returned to Sacramento, where Malcolm had deep roots. Sadly, Malcolm became ill and passed away in 2003, before the Robinsons could fulfill their philanthropic plans.

In her desire to honor his legacy, Dr. Surang Robinson created a private foundation named for her husband – a man of great distinction who never lost the common touch. The Malcolm W. Robinson Foundation was established to help increase educational opportunities and improve the quality of life for individuals in the Sacramento region and beyond. The diverse purposes the Robinson Foundation supports, including scholarships for Native American students, assistance for students from developing nations to come to the U.S. for graduate study, and aid to the elderly for basic and emergency needs – reflect the breadth and depth of Malcolm’s humanity.

After several years of the cost and difficulty of managing a private foundation operating from the East Coast, Surang decided to move the Malcolm W. Robinson Foundation to the Sacramento Region Community Foundation so she could focus on supporting her husband’s legacy of generosity and compassion, rather than dealing with the complexities involved in maintaining a private foundation. Now, with her charitable giving simplified, she can travel to her beloved Thailand for family visits, knowing that the things that she and Malcolm cared most about will be supported – now and always.