About The Whitney Foundation
Share what has been given to you...
These simple words sum up the spirit of The Whitney Foundation and its founder Kathryn Whitney Stephens.
With this vision and a two million dollar endowment, Kathryn started The Whitney Foundation in 1999. In July 2000, a board of trustees was established to assist in the carrying out the true spirit of the Foundation. By 2010, when the Foundation celebrated its tenth year in service, over a million dollars had been given out in grants. Many lives had been changed and many communities served!
The Whitney Foundation seeks to support those projects that may "fall through the cracks" in traditional funding sources.
What makes the Whitney Foundation unique is the personal relationship that is established with each grantee. Our Board members work toward developing personal relationships throughout the grant process through site visits, phone conversations and personal meetings.
Kathryn passed away in 2005, but her work lives on….
Archives
Please note that The Whitney Foundation Archive can be found in the California State University-Fresno’s Henry Madden Library Special Collections after July 2020.
Our Board
The Whitney Foundation Board of Directors is a dedicated group of individuals who understand and carry out the Foundation’s mission. They assist the Foundation in the entire grant process. The board meets quarterly for on-going grant making decisions. Board members review, interview and make site visits of projects. They also perform follow up visits to the projects that are funded by the Foundation, to ensure that the mission of the foundation is well served to its completion in every project.
Kathryn Stephens **: 2000-2004
Roger Stephens: 2000-2001
Ellen Bush: 2000-2002
Alan Gilmore: 2000-2007, 2009-2011
Denise Daggett: 2000-2007
Tom Durkin: 2000-2006
Ruth Graff: 2000-2006
Connie Mollo: 2006-2011
Marvell French: 2003-2008
Brian Ross **: 2003-2008
Bob Hand: 2008-2013
Lisa DeDapper: 2007-2012
Patty Haun Markarian: 2007-2012
Audrey Tan: 2009-2012
Dr. Richard Jennings **: 2008-2013
Kathleen Garabed: 2012-2015
Art Lopez **: 2013 to present
Dr. Don Simmons: 2013 to present
Nicole Sirak-Irwin: 2013 to present
Dr. Jenelle Pitt: 2013 to present
Barry Falke: 2014 to present
Song Vang **: 2014 to present
Peter Vang: 2015 to present
BOARD CHAIR **