We asked Liz Drummond, Managing Director of the Latrobe Fund the following questions:
1. Tell us about your company/organization.
The Latrobe Fund was founded in January of 2019 by two philanthropists with residences in the Latrobe and Lake Tahoe areas. They are business owners who are making a difference for local non-profits in El Dorado County through their grants.
Currently the funding is focused on non-profits serving El Dorado County. The grant process is not competitive. Each grant request is reviewed on its own merits. There is not a specific granting cycle; grants are made at the discretion of the fund owners.
2. How did you hear about Hands4Hope?
I met Jennifer when she first hatched her amazing vision and mission over 11 years ago, when I was working for DST in the business park. I was hooked within the first 10 minutes of her visit. I have been watching and supporting in what small ways I could. When I started working with the generous owners of the Latrobe Fund, Hands4Hope was on “my list”.
3. What is the reason(s) for sponsoring Hands4Hope?
Hands4Hope demonstrates it is truly a student lead organization. Hands4Hope understands that servant leadership starts at a very young age. Hands4Hope understands that regardless of your wealth, health, disabilities, age, race, gender, or beliefs, volunteering and leadership are about the heart of you, not the shell of you.
Hands4Hope is a model for the entire United States of America. Clubs can be in the poorest, richest, safest and most dangerous places. Clubs change their own communities. Hands4Hope demonstrates that you don't just give to the poor, you reach out and make sure the poor can change the world. It is not an elitist thing. It’s about wanting to help. And the bonus, you can choose to lead and be giving mentoring and coaching. Not a leader by birth right? No worries for Hands4Hope, your heart and your mind can override any birthright. And most importantly, you can tailor your participation to suit your personal life. No mandated meetings and hours of service. You can dip in a toe or jump full on. You can make the experience be what you want it to be.
4. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Yes . . . a true story. I’ll tell the moral in the beginning: When you do good, however small or large it may seem, you actually change the future.
I do not know the year, but it had to be about 8 or 9 years ago. I was on the Women’s Fund El Dorado Board and we needed a picture with some WFED members and some Hands4Hope volunteers for some publication we were doing. It was a bit last minute so I called a friend who was a member of WFED and asked her if she could just run over with me. When we walked into Hands4Hope I saw an adult and told her what we were there for. She told us she would get the project leader who was ready for our visit. A high school student introduced himself, let us know the plan and had the area ready for the photo. He gathered the youth for the picture that had permission to be in it and was done in a flash. He thanked us for our support and we ran off to whatever was next for us. Another day in everyone’s life. End of story………
Except ……last year when I presented Hands4Hope’s grant proposal to the funders, Hands4Hope seemed like many other youth groups and I was a bit worried. I knew the power of the organization, but wasn’t sure if the owners felt the same way. One of the owners proceeded to say she remembered the photo shoot all those years ago, and how the organization is really student lead, while recalling her positive experience. When you do good, no matter how small or large, you actually change the future. This future change was a $15K grant for Hands4Hope.
Please thank your participants, adult volunteers, staff and board for the work they do to make a difference in the world. This is a model for any size town or community and I hope you are wildly contagious!