The Ripple Effect: How Intentional Giving Builds a 'Care Community'

Community is not merely a geographic location or a place where people reside. Rather, community is defined by how individuals show up for one another, driven by connection, caring and hope.

Local sculptor Deanna Marsh recently shared this philosophy with Placer Community Foundation supporters, issuing a powerful reminder that neighbors are ultimately responsible for one another. Marsh calls this a "Care Community," a place where generosity is an essential, daily practice rather than an occasional obligation.

Art, Impact and Family Legacy

For Marsh, art and community are deeply intertwined. Her regional sculpture work, including current projects with UC Davis Health and the Highway 49 Roundabout, allows her to model human relationships with the local landscape.

"The most dynamic art doesn't exist in isolation," Marsh said. "Sculptures shaped by community have the power to strengthen our connections."

This dedication to public service extends to her family. Her eldest daughter works as an urban planner collaborating with the city of Auburn to update planning regulations based on public feedback. Her youngest daughter works as a feminist economist for the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in Nairobi, Kenya, managing program development across 27 countries.

The lesson they live by is simple: giving does not always require financial wealth. It thrives on time, empathy, creativity and listening.

The Inspiration of a Plan

True impact requires intention. Marsh recalled a meeting years ago with the late Dorothy Fiddyment, whom she approached regarding a million-dollar artist legacy fund. Though Fiddyment graciously declined the specific request because she had already strictly budgeted her charitable resources, the interaction left a lasting impression.

Fiddyment had a clear, deliberate plan for her family's philanthropy. That structured approach inspired Marsh and her husband, Jonathan, to maximize the impact of their own giving by establishing the Marsh Family Fund, a Donor Advised Fund at Placer Community Foundation.

Creating Your Own Ripple Effect

Engaging with your community does not require perfection, vast wealth or waiting for the perfect moment. It requires a willing mind and a thoughtful heart to use whatever resources are available right now. Small, purposeful actions create a ripple effect that grows into transformative change.

To build a plan that aligns with your values and targets the areas of greatest regional need, consider partnering with the Placer Community Foundation. By working with their team, you can discover local causes that resonate with your family and help build the care community we all want to live in.