The Gift That Keeps Giving: How One Woman Left A Legacy of Hope through a Fresno Nonprofit

The Gift That Keeps Giving: How One Woman Left A Legacy of Hope through a Fresno Nonprofit

by | Sep 26, 2025 | Generosity

What if your generosity could keep shaping lives long after you’re gone?

That’s exactly what one woman did through a legacy gift, a charitable gift made through her will to Fresno Area Community Enterprises (FACE), a nonprofit collective working to transform neighborhoods across Fresno.

She was a quiet but faithful supporter showing up to community events, staying connected to the mission, and living with deep compassion for her neighbors. When she passed, her final act of generosity became one of the most impactful gifts FACE had ever received.

And it all started with a simple phone call.

A Life-Changing Phone Call

Loren Dubbuerke, Executive Director of FACE, had known her for years. She was a quiet but faithful presence at community banquets, always offering encouragement and support. Her deep compassion for her neighbors and hope for a healthier, more connected community never went unnoticed.

During a Ten Talents Foundation workshop on estate giving, Loren was encouraged to invite supporters to a webinar about legacy planning.

“So I made a phone call to one of our neighbors,” he shared. “She had been coming regularly to our banquets and was passionate about seeing our neighborhood become healthier. So I invited her to come to the webinar.”

Though she wasn’t able to attend, that conversation planted a powerful seed, one that would grow into something far greater than Loren could have imagined.

“Several months later, I found out she had passed away,” Loren said. “And then a couple months after that, we got something in the mail from her attorneys that said we had been listed as one of the beneficiaries of her charitable trust.”

One of her final acts of generosity: naming FACE as a beneficiary was a quiet but profound expression of faith, care, and vision for the future of her neighborhood.

Fueling Long-Term Impact 

Her gift allowed FACE to grow in ways that were previously out of reach—including hiring two new managers who now lead programs serving hundreds of families each year.

“We were able to hire two managers to help carry the work forward,” Loren shared. “The reason that we can even do that was because of her help with her legacy gift.”

From reentry support and youth mentorship to tutoring, food security, and job training, her legacy continues to transform lives across Fresno.

Your Legacy Can Live On Too

“Her work will continue into the future,” Loren said, “as we use her gifts and multiply what she wanted in the neighborhood, even though she isn’t present with us.”

Legacy Giving is more than a donation, it’s fuel for long-term transformation. “Your giving and your generosity frees us up in tremendous ways,” Loren shared, “to do the work on the ground that’s really needed in our broken communities and in our city.”

If you’re curious about how to leave a legacy of your own, the Ten Talents team would be honored to help. Let’s talk about how your generosity can bless future generations. 

Learn more HERE.

4 Ways to Be Generous This Summer

4 Ways to Be Generous This Summer

by | Jul 9, 2025 | Generosity

At Ten Talents Foundation, we believe generosity is more than a financial decision—it’s a way of life. And while summer brings sun, rest, and reconnection, it’s also the perfect time to live generously and reflect God’s heart in tangible ways.

Here are 4 simple ways to practice generosity this summer:

1. Give through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)
A Donor Advised Fund lets you give to multiple causes from one simple account—on your schedule. Whether you’re supporting a local ministry or responding to a global need, a DAF helps your generosity go further, with tax advantages that make it even more impactful. Start here →

2. Include a Charitable Bequest in Your Estate Plan
You don’t have to be wealthy to leave a legacy. One simple way to make an eternal impact is by adding a charitable bequest—a gift to a nonprofit written into your will or trust.

This allows you to support ministries and causes you care about, even after your lifetime. Whether you give a specific amount, a percentage, or an asset like property, legacy giving helps your values live on through strategic generosity.

3. Give Your Time
Generosity isn’t just about financial giving. You can make a meaningful impact by volunteering at a local nonprofit, helping with a community outreach event, or even just showing up for someone who needs support.

Acts of presence—like listening to a friend, spending time with a neighbor, or praying with someone—can offer encouragement and remind others they’re not alone. Small, intentional moments can leave a lasting impression.

4. Have a Family Conversation About Giving
Summertime often brings families together—use it as a chance to talk about your values and how you want to make an impact together. Whether it’s setting up a family donor advised fund, talking about causes your family is passionate about and wants to include in an estate plan, or choosing a nonprofit you will volunteer with as a family, these conversations can spark a legacy of generosity across generations.

However you choose to give this summer, do it with intention—and watch how your generosity can plant seeds of hope, joy, and eternal impact.

What is the role of a Community Foundation? Multiplying Generosity in a Region for Lasting Impact 

What is the role of a Community Foundation? Multiplying Generosity in a Region for Lasting Impact 

by | Feb 20, 2025 | Generosity

At Ten Talents Foundation, we see both the challenges and opportunities in the Central California region. The San Joaquin Valley has the highest rate of violent crime in California (PPIC, 2023) and shorter life spans due to disparities in education, pollution, and food access (SJVPHC Report, 2022). Many in our communities struggle with poverty, homelessness, and mental health challenges (Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, 2022).

At the same time, our region is home to thousands of businesses, churches, and nonprofits. Our farms produce nearly one-fourth of the nation’s agricultural output (USGS), and our communities are filled with resources, funding, and people ready to make a difference.

So how do we bring these resources together to meet the greatest needs more effectively?

That’s where a community foundation comes in.

Community foundations like the Ten Talents Foundation exist to connect generosity with impact. By managing Donor Advised Funds, facilitating non-cash giving, and distributing charitable grants, we help donors give more strategically while equipping nonprofits to maximize every dollar given.

When generosity is thoughtful, strategic, and long-term, it has the power to transform communities for generations to come. We invite you to be part of this movement—where generosity is not just an action, but a legacy.

What is a Community Foundation? 

A community foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps donors strategically manage their giving to maximize impact. Instead of simply giving directly to a single charity, donors can establish a donor advised fund and allow the foundation to oversee the distribution of funds to various local causes.

Community foundations exist to  connect resources with a region’s greatest needs, and ensure charitable giving makes a lasting impact in a specific region. By managing special donor advised funds, processing asset-based gifts, and equipping local nonprofits, they make generosity more effective and sustainable.

What Does a Community Foundation Do?  

  • Manages Donor Advised Funds – Helps donors create funds like Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) to simplify and plan their charitable giving.
  • Processes Non-Cash Gifts – Accepts and processes non-cash donations such as real estate, stocks, agricultural assets, and cryptocurrency, making giving more tax-efficient and helping nonprofits accept gifts they otherwise would be unable to..
  • Distributes Grants & Equip  Local Nonprofits  – Distributes grants and resources to nonprofits, ensuring gifts make a lasting impact in the community.
  • Provides Community Education – Offers resources, workshops, and training to help individuals and organizations maximize their charitable giving.
  • Supports Generational Stewardship – Encourages families to engage in long-term, impact-driven philanthropy by structuring giving plans and including charitable donations in estate planning.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re interested in opening a Donor Advised Fund, donating a non-cash asset, or learning how Ten Talents Foundation can equip your nonprofit, we’d love to help.

Watch the video to see how strategic generosity can create a lasting impact, or contact us here. 

How a Donor Advised Fund Works

How a Donor Advised Fund Works

by | Feb 20, 2025 | Donor Advised Fund

At Ten Talents Foundation, we believe generosity should be simple, strategic, and impactful. Yet, many people struggle to balance tax-efficient giving with supporting multiple organizations they love.

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) have grown rapidly in popularity, with over $230 billion in assets held in DAFs across the U.S. as of 2022 (National Philanthropic Trust). Why? Because they streamline giving, provide tax advantages, and allow charitable donations to grow over time.

Most people assume generosity means writing a check, but a Donor Advised Fund is a smarter way to give—offering flexibility, simplicity, and the ability to make a greater impact.

What is a Donor Advised Fund?

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable account designed to help donors give more strategically. Instead of donating to individual organizations separately, donors contribute to their DAF, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to nonprofits over time.

Think of it as a charitable investment account—one that grows tax-free and allows for long-term, intentional generosity.

How a Donor Advised Fund Works

  1. Establish a Donor Advised Fund with a foundation like Ten Talents Foundation.
  2. Contribute cash, stocks, or non-cash assets to your Fund whenever you choose.
  3. Your funds grow tax-free, increasing your potential impact.
  4. Recommend donations to your favorite nonprofits when you’re ready to give. 

Why Use a Donor Advised Fund?

  • Maximize tax benefits – Get an immediate charitable deduction and avoid capital gains taxes when donating non-cash assets.
  • Simplify your giving – Manage all donations through one account and receive a single tax receipt.
  • Increase your impact – Let your funds grow tax-free, allowing you to give more over time.
  • Plan giving intentionally – Donate when it makes sense for you and the causes you support.  You can give to your DAF now, claim tax benefits, and distribute to charities later. There’s no requirement to distribute funds immediately, allowing donors to plan their giving over time.
  • Involve family – You can include your family in charitable decision-making and even pass on giving instructions through estate planning.
  • Invest and grow – The funds in the DAF can be invested, potentially increasing the impact of charitable giving over time.

Want to Learn More?

Donor Advised Funds are powerful tools for intentional, tax-efficient generosity. Whether you’re an individual, family, or business, a Donor Advised Fund can help you simplify your giving and maximize your impact.

Contact us here to begin the process of starting a donor advised fund for you, your family or your business!

How this Church Gym is bringing Hope to one of California’s Poorest Neighborhoods

How this Church Gym is bringing Hope to one of California’s Poorest Neighborhoods

by | Jun 20, 2024 | Donor Advised Fund, Generosity

The Challenge of Leading a Church in Southeast Fresno

“God has given me the privilege of pastoring this church for 24 years.” says Pastor Elias Loera.

Family Christian Assembly is located in Southeast Fresno and is nestled in the second poorest zip code in California. This is the church Elias Lorea has pastored for over two decades.

“It has not been an easy endeavor as finances are an issue in this area of town,” says Pastor Eli.

“God has given me the privilege of pastoring this church for 24 years.  It has not been an easy endeavor as our church is located in the second poorest zip code in California. “

Pastor Elias Loera, Family Christian Assembly Church

Despite limited financial resources, Family Christian Assembly has served as a beacon of light to the community. One way the church has done this is through hosting the only kids basketball league south of Shaw Avenue. This basketball league offered a safe way for kids to make friends, get exercise, and learn from healthy adults. The program also provided a way for the church to build relationships with parents and other community members in Southeast Fresno.

Unfortunately, several months ago, the gym became unsafe for kids to play in.

The floor was falling apart, and the space was in such desperate need of renovations, it was not usable for basketball practice.

Gym before renovations ↓

How Generosity Restored the Gym to a Space of Refuge

Several months ago, members of the Ten Talents Foundation team attended a meeting at Family Christian Assembly. During this meeting, God made it clear to the team what an important role the church gym played in their neighborhood and how desperately it needed to be renovated for continued use.

Through intentional and God-ordained conversations, the story was shared with a Ten Talents’ Donor Advised Fund holder. This person eagerly asked that resources in their fund be allocated to help the Family Christian Assembly renovate their gymnasium.

Then, a local contractor heard about the need and offered to put new flooring in the gym for a highly discounted price.

As the renovations neared completion, those who gave to the project financially through their Donor Advised Fund, the Family Christian Assembly leaders, and members of the Ten Talents Foundation staff gathered to pray over the beautiful new space.

Standing in the church gym was a tangible reminder of God’s unmatched ability to connect people’s unique gifts with a community’s practical needs.

“When Ten Talents approached us about partnering with us to remodel and upgrade our gymnasium, we saw the faithfulness of God at work,” says Pastor Eli. “Through generosity, our gym has been transformed from a dark and dreary outdated facility to a bright new room that is welcoming and warm for the kids in our community.”

Gym after renovations ↓

The New Gym’s Impact on Kids and Families

“We just completed our Little Hoopsters Basketball league for kids 7 to 12 years old [in the newly renovated gym] and it was a complete success. Eighty kids participated in a thirteen-week league in a safe environment where they prayed before every game and practice,” says Pastor Eli.

Some Little Hoopster children walked into the church gym off the streets. For at least two days a week, these kids found safety and community in the walls of the Family Christian Assembly gym.

“Since the league started in February, our church has also ministered to several families outside the league through our church,” says Pastor Eli. “Three families who were not attending any church are part of our church family now.”

Though You May Never Meet these Little Hoopsters…

“Ten Talents givers may never meet the kids whose confidence is built up through basketball; they may never meet the single mother who cannot afford the expensive leagues on the north side of town but was able to bring her kids to Little Hoopsters. They may never meet the families who spent ten Saturdays together in a church gym rooting on their kids…”

Pastor Eli continues, “[But] I thank Ten Talents [donors] for transforming our gym league and the lives of so many people in our part of town. 

Our people are faithful and so is God.”

Unified Generosity is Making Our Community Look More like Heaven

Hope grows and neighborhoods are transformed when individuals, businesses, families, nonprofits, and churches unify together through the Ten Talents Foundation to connect generosity with our community’s needs.

You have the talents. The Ten Talents Foundation is simply a “hub” designed to bring those talents together. Whether you are a church offering your gym as a safe space for kids to play basketball, a contractor using his skills to install new flooring, a business person helping to fund the project and pray for the children whose little feet will walk across the basketball court, YOU are helping our city and world look more like Heaven.