2023 ANNUAL REPORT
A LETTER FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR and CEO
Judy Robison- Board Chair
Tracy Yellen - CEO
Dear Friends:
The Paso del Norte region is home to the most well-respected bootmakers in the world. Handcrafted, durable, and resilient, cowboy boots are symbolic of our unique region – and the work of the Paso del Norte Community Foundation (PdN Community Foundation) and our community partners to improve health, education, social services, economic development, and qualify of life in our binational, tri-state region.
Since our inception ten years ago, the PdN Community Foundation has received more than $136.1 million in contributions from thousands of donors, awarding over $100 million in grants and charitable expenses in partnership with hundreds of grantees and community stakeholders to make a significant community impact. We ended 2023 with $321.5 million in total combined assets.
In 2023, the PdN Community Foundation received $23.2 million in contributions from 9,768 donors, and invested $10.4 million in grants and charitable expenses in the community in four priority areas:
Philanthropic Giving
Community Projects
Nonprofit Investment
Community Resilience
We were thrilled to celebrate our 10th anniversary, making a difference in our community, and recognizing our founding board members, donors, and community partners at a reception hosted for the occasion. This followed a special breakfast honoring past board chairs held earlier in the year.
To our board members, staff, community partners, and grantees who make us unique and strong – just like our cowboy boots – thank you for working with us to make an impact.
We invite you to learn more about our impact in 2023, thanks to our generous donors, community partners, and nonprofit organizations, at pdnfoundation.org.
Respectfully,
Judy Robison
Chair, Board of Directors
Tracy J. Yellen
Chief Executive Officer
CHEERS to 10 years
2023 marked a significant milestone for the Paso del Norte Community Foundation (PdNCF), our 10th anniversary! The Paso del Norte Community Foundation was established in 2013 with a core mission to support the philanthropic goals of individuals, families, corporations, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. The PdNCF, with the help of our community, board, and staff, has helped improve education, health, social services, economic development, and the overall quality of life in our region.
To mark this incredible milestone, a series of events were held to honor our valued donors and community partners.
Past Presidents Breakfast - A Past Presidents Breakfast was hosted as a tribute to and celebration of the past and current board chairs from our family of foundations, the Paso del Norte Community Foundation, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, and the Fundación Paso del Norte.
PdNCF Scholarship Reception - Scholarship fundholders, recipients, and families came together to recognize the 2023 PdNCF scholarship recipients and to celebrate their achievements.
10-Year Anniversary Reception - Donors, fundholders, community leaders, board members, staff and friends gathered for an unforgettable evening to celebrate a decade of collective community impact. This event was a reminder of the strong roots that bind the PdNCF to the community it serves.
The Paso del Norte Community Foundation is grateful to the entire community for its unwavering support and commitment to growing our community of philanthropy for decades to come.
PHILANTHROPIC GIVING
New Funds Make a Difference in Our Binational Community
Donor-Advised Funds
One of the most effective ways to make a meaningful and lasting impact in the community is by partnering with the Paso del Norte Community Foundation and starting a charitable giving fund.
In 2023, the Paso del Norte Community Foundation grew donor-advised funds to 47, welcoming the Randy and Janet Wechter Charitable Fund, The Border Life Fund, the Russell Tanner Life is Good Fund, and the Furman Family Charitable Fund, among many others. Thanks to our generous donors, $8,305,293 in grants were made from donor-advised funds to support our region – from the new Steve and Nancy Fox Cancer Center at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso and business school at the University of Texas at El Paso to the El Paso Children’s Hospital and La Nube. Donor-advised funds are making a difference.
DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS
The Anchondos Give Back to the Community They Love
The Daniel and Martha Anchondo family and Anchondo Law Foundation established three new endowment funds to support the Braden Aboud Memorial Foundation, St. Matthew Catholic School and scholarships for the University of Texas at El Paso.
These funds joined over 250 donor-advised, designated and scholarship funds that make up the Paso del Norte Community Foundation’s growing community of philanthropy.
The Moody Family Foundation Continues a Legacy of Giving
The Moody Family Foundation was established by Judge Bill Moody and Maggie Moody and their extended family to support charitable organizations in the Paso del Norte region and beyond that provide services for children and adults with disabilities. The Moodys have been involved in the region for many years, both in public and community service, and the PdNCF was proud to welcome them to our community of philanthropy.
Fox Family Paves the Way for Local Cancer Center
Thanks to a generous $25 million leadership gift from Steve and Nancy Fox and family, and the work of the El Paso Legislative Delegation, our region is another step closer to having its own comprehensive cancer center at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. This incredible gift establishing the Fox Cancer Center will support clinical trials, research, and recruitment of the world’s best physicians, nurses, and researchers. The Paso del Norte Community Foundation is proud to work with generous donors, like the Fox family, who continually strive to make our region a better place.
The Border Life Fund Supports Causes in the Paso del Norte Region and Beyond
The Paso del Norte Community Foundation was thrilled to announce the establishment of a new fund dedicated to enriching the lives of our border community. The Border Life Fund was established by Mel Maese Goldberg and Brett Goldberg, because of their love, passion, and commitment to giving back to El Paso, the city they love.
Mel and Brett are longtime residents who recognize the unique needs and opportunities of our border region. Through The Border Life Fund, they aim to support a variety of causes that enhance the richness and overall well-being of our community, while uplifting others and modeling the importance of philanthropy for their son.
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
Scholarship Helps Students Dream Big Dreams
The Coach McLain Track and Cross-Country Scholarship was established by LaDeena and Toby Spoon and their son, Isaac Spoon, in recognition and appreciation of Coach McLain’s exceptional leadership and selfless service and commitment as a coach. Coach McLain has inspired countless student-athletes to envision themselves attending college and dream big dreams, helping many secure track scholarships and continue their high performance at the collegiate level. This year, the Coach McLain Track and Cross-Country Scholarship Fund awarded a 4-year, $60,000 scholarship to Ian Diaz, who exemplifies Coach McLain’s leadership and example.
Scholarship Funds
In 2023, we awarded $729,593 in scholarships to 398 students to help them reach their full potential.
The Paso del Norte Community Foundation is home to 47 scholarship funds, with over 100 scholarship opportunities including the Deby Lewis Foundation and Coach McLain Track and Cross-Country Scholarship Fund for students at Eastwood High School, and memorial scholarships like the Tito’sWay Scholarship established in honor of Lyone “Tito” Velez Segarra and the Braden Aboud B Strong Scholarship in memory of Braden Aboud.
PdNCF Celebrates 10-year Anniversary with Scholarship Award Ceremony
The Paso del Norte Community Foundation was excited to celebrate the success of its 2023 scholarship recipients and fundholders with an inaugural scholarship award ceremony. The PdNCF takes immense pride in supporting local and national scholarships. Thanks to the generosity of our dedicated scholarship fundholders, a record $729,593 was awarded to 398 students across the region. The reception provided students the opportunity to celebrate their successes and meet the individuals who helped turn their dreams of continuing their education into a reality. Over the past decade, the Foundation has helped award over $2 million in scholarships to students to pursue higher education.
Designated Funds
The Paso del Norte Community Foundation continued to work with individuals and groups to support important community initiatives and projects.
Operation Noel and the Heart Gallery of El Paso were welcomed under the PdNCF umbrella, and designated funds such as the jaclynstrong Foundation, Azul Arena, and the Yolanda Arriola Black and White Party Fund continued to make a difference through various events and programs. The PdNCF was proud to support these unique and meaningful initiatives.
DESIGNATED AND ENDOWED FUNDS
Over $1 Million Awarded by National Foundations to Empower Arts in the Border Region
The Paso del Norte Community Foundation was honored to expand its partnership with several national foundations in 2023 with over one million dollars in commitments from the Mellon Foundation, Ford Foundation and MacArthur Foundation to support arts projects in the Paso del Norte region. Investments from these prestigious national foundations support the work of four designated funds under the PdNCF umbrella - Azul Arena, The Fund for the Ethical Practices of Transborder Art, Femme Frontera, and Edificio de Los Sueños. The projects are led by remarkable individuals with extraordinary entrepreneurial and artistic talent. In collaboration with the Rubin Center at the University of Texas at El Paso, these important efforts are changing the landscape for artists in El Paso and Cuidad Juárez by providing the resources and administrative support needed to encourage, support and amplify artistic and cultural endeavors in the border region.
