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Over the past 10 years, more than 300,000 San Diegans can say they’ve benefitted from the generosity of local couple Mary Alice and Ron Brady.
From the Boys and Girls Clubs of East County and Vista Hill, to Rady Children’s Hospital and Grossmont Hospital, the two philanthropists have been helping vulnerable and at-risk children for years.
But did you know, much of their charitable work is the result of one very special birthday gift?
More than 10 years ago, when it came time for Ron to brainstorm a birthday present for his wife, he thought of the perfect idea. Ron gifted Mary Alice with an endowment fund at The San Diego Foundation to support youth in need and leave a legacy aligned with the couple’s passion for helping others.
Now, years later, that present has become the gift that keeps on giving to the entire San Diego region.
According to the Kids Count Data Center, more than 3,000 San Diego County youth live in foster care, with thousands more families impacted annually. For Mary Alice, that statistic is a very personal one.
Growing up, Mary Alice lived in a foster home where she experienced firsthand the challenges that many San Diego County youth face. As a result, she recognizes the importance of strong role models and safe housing, in addition to many other opportunities and services that help foster youth develop through life.
Their giving reflects her experiences.
Through the couple’s endowment fund, organizations such as Walden Family Services can help more children in need find a loving, nurturing, and safe home. Mary Alice and Ron have made a significant and measurable impact on Walden Family Services’ ability to serve 11,000 foster children, youth and families in its history.
The couple’s support has directly impacted Walden Family Services’ foster care placement, transitional housing programs for older foster youth, mental health services and many more programs that benefit the San Diego region.
As Ron always says, “you’re more successful building children than to try to mend adults.”
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Mary Alice and Ron believe their success is meant to be shared.
Today, we can confidently say that foster youth in San Diego are better off and have more opportunities thanks to their generosity.
Join Mary Alice, Ron and other San Diegans making a difference.
On August 9, 2022, we awarded $838,704 in Opening the Outdoors grants to 24 nonprofit organizations that offer equitable access to outdoor spaces in San Diego County.
“San Diego Foundation is proud to once again support its partners committed to increasing community-driven efforts to enhance accessible outdoor space, encourage youth to learn more through hands-on education and create the next generation of environmental stewards in the San Diego region,” said Christiana DeBenedict, SDF Director of Environment Initiatives.
This year’s grantees will help address these inequities and enhance access to the outdoors throughout San Diego County.
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