Colonel Frank C. Wood

An Endowment for the Common Good

Colonel Frank C. Wood was a war hero who spent 30 years traveling with the U.S. Army but always came home to San Diego. The Colonel requested that most of his estate be used for the exclusive benefit of San Diego charities after his death, bequeathing nearly $2 million for this purpose. The Colonel Frank C. Wood Memorial Fund supports an extremely broad range of causes including education and youth services, arts programs, environmental conservation, scientific research and health care, to name a few.

Since 1983, over $2.6 million in grants – a greater amount than Wood originally gifted – has been distributed from this endowment. The broad purpose of the fund allows it to address community needs that were unknown in Colonel Wood’s day and time. Flexible and perpetual, Common Good Funds like this one provide for the emerging needs of the community today and far into the future.

Historical Gift: $1.7 million
Current Value: $5.3 million*
Grants: $2.6 million*

*As of June 30, 2005

Sam Blasker

A Field of Interest Endowment

When Sam Blasker settled in San Diego after his discharge from the Navy, he invested in real estate. Employed as an engineer, he lived in a mobile home, yet still left almost $9 million to establish the Blasker-Rose-Mia Fund. This fund has yielded $4.6 million in grants to date, funding solutions to environmental problems as diverse as water pollution and threats to local animal life. With this generous permanent endowment, Mr. Blasker ensured continued environmental, scientific and medical advances.

Historical Gift: $8.9 million
Current Value: $13.3 million*
Grants: $4.6 million*

*As of June 30, 2005

Mollie Hunter

A Designated Endowment

Contemplating what to gift the city that had given her so much, Mollie Hunter stumbled upon her answer during a walk to San Diego’s downtown library. Witnessing a dreadful sight – a tattered and torn California State flag flying in front of the library – she dashed inside and offered to buy a new flag. Named in memory of her late husband, the Dell Hunter Memorial Flag Fund makes certain that fresh American and California State flags are always soaring outside San Diego’s main library.

Historical Gift: $4,005
Current Value: $12,080*
Grants: $4,820*

*As of June 30, 2005