William Barnet II was an early investor and a founding member of the Community Foundation. As his family had done before him, Mr. Barnet served his community as a volunteer, board leader and philanthropist. Mary, his partner in life, was a homemaker and an active community volunteer, serving on many boards. When they believed in something, they invested fully. Two organizations at the top of that list were Congregation Beth Emeth and Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar.
It is no surprise that the passion and commitment the couple shared for their community was tripled on the home front. Their three children learned about nurturing what is important by watching their parents at home, at temple and in their volunteer service. Wanting to streamline their charitable giving, the Barnets established their donor advised fund in 1995 and used the fund to support the organizations that were important to each of them.
In 2002, their son, Bill Barnet III, chose to honor the legacy of his parents by making a gift to establish the William and Mary Barnet Family Foundation. The Barnet Family Foundation was a source of pride for his parents, and they enjoyed seeing their family working together to serve the community. For nearly two decades, the Community Foundation worked with Bill’s siblings Larry Barnet and Carol Barnet Fuchs, along with a committee of family friends, to manage an annual competitive grant cycle.
“The Community Foundation is proud to have had the opportunity to work with the family for more than 50 years. The Barnet family has worked hard to uphold and honor their parents’ values in their professional and philanthropic endeavors,” said Mindy Derosia, VP, Development at the Community Foundation
Earlier this year, the Barnet Family Foundation dissolved, enabling the family to create two endowed funds:
- William and Mary Barnet Designated Endowed Fund for Congregation Beth Emeth
- William and Mary Barnet Designated Endowed Fund for Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar
Each of these funds will generate an annual distribution to carry forward the work of the Barnet family in perpetuity.
William and Mary Barnet Family Foundation
IMPACT 2002 – 2020
$800,000+
GRANTED TO SUPPORT OUR NONPROFITS