Mike and Lisa named their Donor Advised Fund the “Make a Difference Fund” because they want to support organizations that are moving the needle in Santa Clara County. Rooted in a lifetime of Catholic philanthropy and hands-on nonprofit involvement, they use their DAF at the Foundation to combine careful stewardship with local impact—backing parish needs, community programs, and nonprofits that deliver measurable results.
Mike’s upbringing was rooted in Catholic philanthropy and giving back was part of daily life. Mike’s career at Cisco deepened that commitment: he worked for Cisco Corporate Philanthropy as well as serving as a board member of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, and Network for Good, focused on helping nonprofits scale their impact. Lisa’s engagement was strengthened at the Newman Center at Cal State University, East Bay, reinforcing a faith-centered approach to service and community, which she continued through multiple volunteer positions and engagements at their children’s schools and in the broader community. Together they raised three daughters and have built a family practice of intentional, values-driven giving.
When they were looking for a way to increase the impact of their giving, a Donor Advised Fund stood out as the perfect solution. When looking for a partner, the Catholic Community Foundation stood out because it combined local expertise and faith-aligned values. “We wanted a partner who knows our community and shares our values—someone who can help us find where our dollars will do the most good,” says Mike.
They feel the key benefits of their CCF DAF are:
- Tax-advantaged growth — contributions can grow tax free while waiting to be granted.
- Continuity with existing giving — they continue supporting charities they already love, now with a more strategic lens.
- Values-based vetting — a Catholic partner that screens organizations to ensure they align with Catholic values.
- Local knowledge and responsiveness —CCF’s familiarity with the local community gives them a connection to pressing needs in our Catholic community.
Making a Difference in their Community
During the pandemic, Mike and Lisa knew that there were ample opportunities to make a real difference. During the Diocese of San José’s Annual Diocesan Appeal in 2020, they asked the Foundation to help them make a grant to support a parish in the Diocese that would have trouble making their fundraising goal. “We wanted to step up and help those who were struggling the most,” says Lisa. “The Foundation made it easy to accomplish that goal.” That decision illustrates two strengths of their CCF DAF: the ability to act quickly in a crisis, and the connections provided by the Foundation.
Mike’s background in corporate philanthropy and nonprofit governance makes him deliberate about impact. “I’m a numbers guy,” says Mike. “The DAF has been a great tool for us because it provides the structure and the freedom to be both strategic and compassionate.” He looks for organizations where outcomes are clear and measurable—places where he and Lisa can feel the difference their grant makes.
Mike and Lisa’s “Make a Difference Fund” shows how a Donor Advised Fund—paired with a local, values-aligned partner like CCF—can turn a lifelong commitment to giving back into targeted, measurable community impact. Their approach blends faith, data, and local knowledge to ensure every grant advances real change for their community.