For over three decades, the El Dorado Community Foundation has been dedicated to strengthening the community by enabling donors to participate in tax-deductible charitable giving. The foundation’s impact is felt far and wide through the offering of grants, scholarships, planned giving resources, community emergency response funds and educational opportunities.
Executive Director Bill Roby has been guiding the foundation for 16 years and is proud of the substantial growth he has witnessed.
“We have been able to move the El Dorado Community Foundation from a grantor of $350,000 community distributions a year to $3 million. I am very excited to have the trust of the community to bring us to this level,” Roby says. Additionally, the foundation was recognized in 2022 as the Business of the Year by the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce for its role in supporting the community after the 2021 Caldor Fire. Numerous government officials have recognized the foundation’s efforts by awarding official proclamations.
As an accredited foundation in a rural area — which is rare — Roby says they uphold the best standards of accountability and excellence for communities.
“It is not what you take from the banquet of life that matters, it’s what you bring to the table. For real empowerment does not come from your capacity to take, but your ability to give.” — Bill Roby Executive Director
In 2022, the foundation initiated a series of “Building a Better Nonprofit” learning events. This year, they will host master classes for the community and invite experts from across the Sacramento region to teach classes in governance, public relations and communications, and finance.
As for the next 30 years, Roby says the foundation will continue to grow and serve as a catalyst, convener and partner in shaping effective responses to community problems.
“My philosophy is to ‘move with the community,’” he says. “I truly believe that that has been one of the strongest mechanisms of our success — that we are here to serve, not to be served.”
