“A community foundation brings people together,” Jack said in a video for the Escondido Community Foundation. “Those who live and work and play in the community know that community better than anyone.”

Jack, who died Oct. 5, 2026, at age 88, helped launch San Diego Foundation’s (SDF) regional affiliates program and served on its Board of Governors for more than a decade, including as board chair from 2007 to 2009.

Mark Stuart, SDF’s president and CEO, remembers him as a trusted adviser and friend.

“We are a better foundation today because Jack Raymond was part of our story,” Stuart said.

Jack often emphasized the value of collaboration.

“We are better together,” said Jack in the video. “By compounding our leverage, by joining together, by pooling our resources, we can address the needs much better.”

Jack helped put that belief into practice in 2006, when he helped establish the Escondido Charitable Foundation, now Escondido Community Foundation, as the first of SDF’s regional affiliates. He served as its founding board chair, helping create a model of community philanthropy that expanded to Carlsbad, Oceanside, Chula Vista and other communities throughout San Diego County.

Through these foundations, residents pool their charitable contributions, award grants to local nonprofits and build endowments that support their communities for generations. More than 20 years later, Jack’s legacy continues through grants that expand access to youth services and educational programs in Escondido, support music therapy and arts programs in Carlsbad, and help Oceanside families access healthy food and nutrition resources.

Jack’s leadership extended beyond the regional affiliates program.

During his tenure as chair of SDF’s Board of Governors, the foundation helped coordinate the region’s response to the devastating 2007 wildfires, committing nearly $10 million through the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund to support recovery and rebuilding.

During this period, SDF also awarded a record $54 million in grants to nonprofits and launched its Climate Change Initiative, bringing together elected officials and tribal leaders to address environmental challenges facing the region.

Trudy Armstrong, SDF’s former director of regional outreach, worked with Jack on philanthropic projects for more than 30 years.

“He was the quintessential example of what can happen through the power of philanthropy,” Trudy said.

Legacy of leadership and generosity

Jack’s commitment to Escondido extended well beyond philanthropy. A member of the Rotary Club of Escondido for more than 55 years, he also served as president of the Escondido Elementary School Board and the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, giving his time and leadership to the community he proudly called home.

Jack’s influence extended beyond Escondido. He served as board chair of San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation from 1986 to 1988 and was a strong advocate for higher education and workforce training.

In a tribute shared on LinkedIn, Mark Cafferty, president and CEO of San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, reflected on Jack’s contributions to the region.

“Business leader, philanthropist, education advocate, North County champion, and economic development pioneer—just a few of the titles that will forever describe Jack Raymond and his countless contributions to our region,” Cafferty wrote.

Javier Guerrero, CEO of the Escondido AgX Regional Innovation Hub, recalled how Jack welcomed him at a Rotary Club meeting.

“The first time I met Jack, he invited me to sit with him at Rotary and from then on I came to know the warmth, humor, humbleness, kindness and generosity of one of the greatest mentors and community leaders I have ever known,” Javier said.

That willingness to share his time and experience extended to other community leaders. Sidd Vivek, executive director of Junior Achievement of San Diego County, met Jack about four years ago while exploring ways to expand the organization’s reach in North County.

“When I think of philanthropy, it’s not solely about cutting the check,” Sidd said. “He understood that better than most. He wasn’t just a philanthropist. He was a thought partner.”

Ken Lounsbery, a longtime friend and business partner of Jack’s, said their friendship spanned more than 50 years. Beyond their professional partnership and close family ties, he remembers Jack’s influence on how he approached philanthropy.

“Of all the treasures Jack gave me over the years the best was his gift of giving,” Ken said. “Jack was very generous with his success. But his true hallmark was teaching others how to ‘give responsibly.’”

Reflecting on Jack’s lasting influence, Ken added, “Jack Raymond is the North Star of charitable giving.”

Jack’s generosity also helped sustain organizations that have become important parts of Escondido’s community life. Among them was the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, whose leaders credit him with helping secure its future.

“Jack has had such an influence on so many lives,” said Gina Lopez, CEO of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Foundation. “He treated everyone with such dignity and respect and was so generous with his time and knowledge.”

Reflecting on his legacy, she added, “We just take everything he taught us and live up to that responsibility.”

Jack’s daughter, Rebecca, said she admired her father’s fearlessness.

“When others might say, ‘No, we can’t do that, that’s not the way we’ve done it,’ he’d say, ‘Why not? Let’s try it!’ And that’s how he pulled people together. He gave everyone a reason to care, and then humbly got out of the way and let them run with it.”

Jack also had advice for anyone wondering whether to get involved in philanthropy.

“Being involved in philanthropy gives you great satisfaction,” he said in an archival video. “It gives you a sense of helping others, joining with others, working with others. And it feels good. Enjoy it. Do it.”