The Jerome H. Hart and Wanda S. Hart Fund, a Donor Advised Fund held at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, has awarded over $240,000 to 13 nonprofits serving the capital area this year.
Jerome and Wanda created the philanthropic fund in 1986 to support charitable causes important to them, including the work of local Rotarians, Parkinson’s research, legal services, and projects that assist children and students. Each year, beginning in 2009, after the Hart’s passing, their children and a committee of extended family and community members have recommend grants from the fund to related nonprofits, honoring Jerome and Wanda.
In 2024, the committee awarded $243,000 in total, with amounts ranging from $5,000 to $36,000. Recipient organizations include:
- American River Conservancy
- Battlefields to Ballfields
- Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado County
- Fairytale Town
- New Morning Youth & Family Services
- Pacific Legal Foundation
- Parkinson Association of Northern CA
- Rotary Club of Sacramento
- Sacramento Life Center
- Skate MD
- Shriners Hospital for Children
- Sutter Roseville Medical Center Foundation
- Yolo Crisis Nursery
“Serving as an advisor on our parents’ charitable fund keeps their memories alive,” shares Jamie, one of the Harts’ children. “My brother and I see the important work these organizations provide to local communities with the gifts they receive from the fund. Philanthropy was important to both our parents and has provided the opportunity for us, as a family, to learn how our actions can impact others in positive ways.”
Due to prudent investing by the Foundation, the amount available to grant from the charitable fund continues to grow.
Since 1983, the Sacramento Region Community Foundation has been the region’s primary provider of philanthropic services to families, like the Harts, who believe in multi-generational giving. Families establish charitable funds that grow over time and engage their children and grandchildren in philanthropic giving.