The Generosity Forum 2026

Please join us for The Generosity Forum, a series of engaging conversations hosted at the Community Foundation designed to help you give with confidence and purpose. Each session offers practical strategies, heartfelt insights, and expert guidance on ways to make a lasting impact in Santa Cruz County while aligning your giving with your values and financial goals.

These conversations will offer fresh ideas and opportunities to connect with others who care about our community and discover how Community Foundation Santa Cruz County can help you turn your generosity into meaningful change.

All events will be held at the Community Foundation building at 7807 Soquel Drive in Aptos. Check individual event pages below for times.

We hope to see you there!

Giving to Meet Local Needs — Where Your Generosity Can Power Community Change

• June 3, 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
• Featuring: Community Foundation Director of Engagement and Impact Kevin Heuer

Connect with like‑minded community members and gain deeper insight into nonprofits responding to some of our most urgent local challenges. Designed to be interactive and conversation‑driven, this session will explore ways to get involved through giving, volunteering, or advocacy, and offer practical guidance on how the tools shared throughout the series can be used to support the causes you care about most.

Estate Planning for Community Impact — The Memorandum of Charitable Intent

• August 5, 2026, 10:00 am-11:30 am
• Featuring: Estate planning attorney Emily Buchbinder and Community Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer Kea Gorden

Discover how thoughtful estate planning can sustain your charitable impact for generations. Certified Specialist Emily Buchbinder will explain key considerations for incorporating charitable giving into your will, trust, or beneficiary designations. You’ll also learn how the Community Foundation’s Memorandum of Charitable Intent (MOCI) makes it easy to document and adjust your philanthropic wishes over time.

Tax-Smart Giving Through Donor Advised Funds

• September 9, 2026, 10:00 am-11:30 am
• Featuring: CPA David Doolin and Community Foundation Donor Services Director Hilary Bryant

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) continue to be one of the most flexible and tax-efficient tools for charitable giving. CPA David Doolin will share how DAFs can simplify giving across years, manage capital gains, and engage family members in philanthropy. Learn strategies to coordinate your giving with overall tax and financial planning for maximum impact.

The Charitable Power of Your IRA: Smarter Giving for Retirement Assets

• October 9, 2026, 10:00 am-11:30 am
• Featuring: Beacon Pointe partners Lance Wexler and Rocky Lin, and Community Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer Kea Gorden

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) continue to be one of the most flexible and tax-efficient tools for charitable giving. CPA David Doolin will share how DAFs can simplify giving across years, manage capital gains, and engage family members in philanthropy. Learn strategies to coordinate your giving with overall tax and financial planning for maximum impact.