GRATITUDE AND GIVING Celebrating Philanthropy

The Hartnell College Foundation is happy to honor the Tanimura Family Foundation and David and Susan Gill as exemplary philanthropists in our community. Both were recognized at the National Philanthropy Day for the Central Coast event in November.

The Gills and their heart
Susan and David Gill are from King City and have been generous donors and engaged volunteers for nonprofit organizations for many years. They have changed lives through their support of education, youth development, health, and the arts. David and Susan play many roles in the community – founders, board members, volunteers, major donors, advisors, event chairs, and strategic planners, which is why being recognized as the 2022 Outstanding Philanthropists of the Year for the Central Coast is so fitting for this dynamic couple. The Hartnell College Foundation was honored to nominate them for this award.

“The Gills exemplify the concept of altruism and philanthropy, serving something greater than yourself, whether it be your community, family, or the world as a whole,” said Jackie Cruz, vice president of advancement and development and executive director for the Hartnell College Foundation. “The deeper purpose in life enriches life itself, and it is a real honor to work with Susan and David to make our community stronger – one student at a time.”

The Gills are get-it-done people and do not seek fanfare or accolades. They lead by example with generosity that inspires others to give. To work with David and Susan is to witness joyful philanthropy in action.

David and Susan Gill have supported the Hartnell College Foundation for 24 years. Their extraordinarily generous lifetime giving to Hartnell has included a broad range of programs, such as seed funds for the King City Education Center and its recent expansion, support of scholarships, athletics, the arts, seed funds for the Agriculture Business, and Technology Center at the Alisal Campus, the Women’s Education and Leadership Institute, and the Foundation’s Party In the Library.

Their contributions extend beyond financial to include their volunteer leadership, service, and fundraising on behalf of the College, which has brought in millions of dollars for students.

David and Susan have both served on the Hartnell College Foundation Board of Directors, for a combined total of 19 years. In these roles, they have provided thoughtful guidance and leadership. Susan was Co-Chair of the successful Hartnell King City Education Center Campaign. The Gills and their friends were the driving force behind this project, which will serve generations to come.

The Hartnell College Foundation’s Party In the Library event would not be the success that it is without Susan Gill. She has played a role in the event since the beginning and chaired or co-chaired for five years. Susan served as the co-chair of Measure T, helping the College secure $167 million dollars to expand higher education and workforce training throughout the Salinas Valley corridor.

David, a recognized leader in the agriculture industry, is the chair of Hartnell’s President’s Agriculture Steering Committee, helping the College work in partnership with the agriculture community. The Gills are involved in every major philanthropic effort in South County, and many are County-wide.

The Tanimura Family Foundation sees community as family
It is said that there are only a few family legacies that have embedded their roots into California’s soil like that of Tanimura & Antle. Since patriarchs George Tanimura and Bob Antle joined together in 1982, the name has risen to one synonymous with innovation, intention, and sustainability. The Tanimura Family Foundation has played an equally vital role in the Central Coast communities through its philanthropy. This made them the natural choice for recognition as the 2022 Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation of the Year for the Central Coast when nominated by the Hartnell College Foundation.

“The Tanimura Family Foundation is an exceptional philanthropic partner. Throughout the years, they have provided vital seed funds for some of the most important and innovative work that exists today for our students and community,” said Cruz. “Their unwavering commitment to education is at the core of their foundation values and we are immensely grateful for their partnership.”

“The mission of the Foundation is to encourage education,” said Kerry Varney, executive director for the Tanimura Family Foundation. “We want to give back to the workforce so their children can get educated and perhaps come back and work for Tanimura & Antle in an administrative position.”

The Tanimura Family Foundation has been a tremendous partner to the Hartnell College Foundation, granting a total of $1.1 million since 2007. It has provided funding for a broad range of programs, including capital support for Hartnell’s Soledad and Castroville campuses, and funding for annual and endowed scholarships, academic programs, internships, and athletics.

In 2007, the Tanimura Family Foundation transformed the ag program at Hartnell College as a founding member of the Ag Steering Committee and the Agricultural Business and Technology Institute housed at the East Alisal Campus. Most recently, their significant support of Hartnell’s two new campuses in Soledad and Castroville will allow the College to serve those communities in perpetuity.

The Foundation’s philanthropy expands further into a partnership that supports paid internships for students. The Tanimura Family Foundation has provided annual funding for ag research internships for several years, and then established an endowment for the internship program. During the pandemic, when students faced financial hardships and uncertainties about the future, and when internship opportunities were scarce, the Tanimura Family Foundation was flexible with its endowment, allowing Hartnell College to turn internship opportunities into scholarships for transfer students. Because of this, students did not have to put their future college plans on hold. This is the type of responsive, visionary, and caring philanthropy practiced by the Tanimura Family Foundation.

The Foundation supports multiple organizations and programs on the Central Coast. Since 2011, the Tanimura Family Foundation has provided more than $4 million to the local community in the areas of youth, healthcare, education, community development, and human services.

“The Tanimuras are the most generous, kind, loving, down-to-earth, and humble people you will ever meet,” said Varney. “They love to help people.”

The Hartnell College Foundation thanks The Tanimura Family Foundation and Susan and David Gill for their vision and for their heart for our students.