New Endowment Builds Long-Term Support for Stand Up Placer
Bob Peters believes everyone deserves to live free from violence and have a safe place to turn when they need help. That belief led him to establish the Stand Up Placer Endowment Fund at Placer Community Foundation with a $45,000 gift.
The fund will provide long-term support for Stand Up Placer, which helps survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking in Placer County.
“Stand Up Placer is there for families during one of the worst times of their life when they’re trying to escape a violent environment,” Peters said in a video shared at the organization’s recent gala. “They’re there 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help out.”
The need today
Stand Up Placer provides survivors with crisis support, advocacy, safe housing, counseling, legal assistance and other essential resources.
During 2025-26, the organization answered 11,966 crisis line calls, a 9% increase over the previous year. For many callers, that call is the first step toward safety: a chance to talk through their options, plan their next move or receive immediate help.
Survivors and their children also spent 37,805 nights in Stand Up Placer’s safe housing programs during that period. The organization’s confidential Safe House operated at or above capacity, underscoring the urgent and growing need for safe places to heal.
“Bob’s generosity reflects his belief in Stand Up Placer and in the possibility of a safer future for every survivor we serve,” said Kelly Shea-Velasco, chief giving officer for Stand Up Placer. “His gift is an investment not only in our organization, but in the people who will turn to us for safety, healing and hope in the years ahead.”
Support for the years ahead
An endowment is invested to provide support over time. Distributions from the new fund are intended to support Stand Up Placer’s work, while additional gifts can help grow the fund.
“Stand Up Placer is there for people when they need help the most,” said Veronica Blake, CEO of Placer Community Foundation. “Bob’s gift gives others a way to join him in supporting that work and helping ensure survivors have somewhere to turn in the future.”
Peters invited others to support Stand Up Placer in whatever way is meaningful to them. Community members can give directly to the organization to help meet current needs or contribute to the endowment to support its work over the long-term.
To learn about Stand Up Placer or support its services, visit standupplacer.org. For information about contributing to the endowment today, or through a future gift from your estate plan, contact Placer Community Foundation at info@placercf.org or 530-885-4920.
If you or someone you know needs help, Stand Up Placer’s 24-hour crisis line is available at 800-575-5352.
