The heart of the Rockwood promise
We like to say that Rockwood feels like one big family. But here, family means more than just a daily greeting or spending time together. It means looking after one another no matter what we might need, thanks to the Rockwood Residents’ Foundation.
Philanthropy is an important part of life at a Rockwood community. In 1990, a group of residents formed the Rockwood Residents’ Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds and acts as stewards of those donations to enhance the lives of Rockwood residents and employees.
The Foundation serves residents and employees in a variety of ways. For example, no resident has ever been asked to leave a Rockwood due to an inability to pay through no fault of their own (such as when someone outlives their finances). The Foundation also supports employee education and financial hardship situations as well as community improvements, activities, and so much more.
Residents’ Assistance
Life can present unexpected challenges, but Rockwood is here to help during difficult times. Residents have the assurance that if they outlive their resources, through no fault of their own, the Foundation, in partnership with Rockwood, will pay for them to continue living at Rockwood and getting the care they need. There are two ways a donation to Residents’ Assistance can be designated: as part of the Endowment or for Immediate Need purposes.
- Endowment: the money donated is never spent; instead the earnings generated by the fund are used to fund Residents’ Assistance in amounts determined by the Foundation Board.
- Immediate Need: money can be designated by the Board to be spent any time deemed necessary.
Enhancing the Employee Experience
Staff Development
Rockwood is a strong proponent of supporting their employees to further their professional goals, which includes helping them further their education, provide special training, or develop professionally. To do this the Foundation provides scholarships to employees and their children who are furthering their education to make a better life for themselves.
Employee Financial Assistance
Money can be a stressful topic, especially for those who are trying to provide for themselves or family while experiencing unexpected financial expenses. To help lighten the burden we provide grants to employees going through financial hardships.
Community Benefit
This fund provides support for enhancements to residents’ and employees’ quality of life, benefiting the entire Rockwood community. Funds are available to enhance programs and services beyond the normal operating budget. This fund also provides monetary assistance for employees applying for U.S. citizenship.
Giving that changes lives is easy
The Rockwood Residents’ Foundation exists only because of the generosity and support of our community residents, family and friends of residents, our staff, and generous corporate partners. There are multiple ways to give, including:
Marianne McCormack
Director of Development
Rockwood Residents’ Foundation
Direct giving
Donations can be made for any reason at any time. Tax-deductible gifts can be made in memory or in honor of someone, for a special giving campaign, or just because. We accept qualified Charitable Distributions and gifts of stock/appreciated securities, and have the capability to create and benefit from charitable remainder trusts.
Become a member of the Rockwood Legacy Circle today. You can make a planned gift through your estate, a bequest, life insurance policy, charitable trust, IRA, retirement account, or by designating all or a portion of your refundable contract to the Foundation. Your planned gift makes you a member of the Rockwood Legacy Circle.
We appreciate our corporate donors!
Cumulative Giving Levels
Sponsor: $50,000–$99,999
Member: $5,000–$9,999
Ziegler: Specialty Investment Bank
Rockwood Residents’ Foundation Tax ID 91-1472275
2024 Board of Trustees
Patty Conaty, board Chair
Patty is a mom of three and retired CPA. She served as the Chair of the Foundation’s Investment Advisory Committee for three years. Patty also serves on the Board of Trustees and Finance Committee for Spokane United Methodist Homes dba Rockwood Retirement Communities, as the Treasurer of her local PEO Chapter, and on the Transitions Planning Group at Rockwood.
Hal Hunt, Vice Chair
Hal is a retired pediatrician/consultant who believes in the mission of the Rockwood Resident’s Foundation. He, like many others, offers his time and resources to further its mission.
Judi Young, Past Chair
Judi retired as CEO from the Inland Northwest Blood Center, now Vitalant. She served as Chair of the Foundation Board for three years and currently serves as Chair of the Foundation’s Partners in Philanthropy Committee. In addition, Judi volunteers for Friends of the Spokane Public Library and the Kerry Blue Terrier Foundation.
Rick Boutz
Rick retired from Washington Trust Bank as the CFO. He currently chairs the Foundation’s Investment Advisory Committee and serves on the investment committees of the Spokane Symphony Endowment and Saint George’s School.
Karin Brocksbank
Karin retired from Columbia University as Capital Campaign Director for the Professional Schools. She moved to Rockwood at Whitworth in 2023 and has been involved with the Rockwood Residents’ Foundation ever since.
Charlene Clark
Charlene retired from Washington State University as an Associate Dean for the School of Nursing. She currently serves as the Chair of Rockwood at Whitworth’s Advisory Committee as well as on the Board of Trustees for the Providence Foundation and Washington State University.
Peter Joss
Peter is a long time Spokane resident after moving here in 1946. He is a graduate of Lewis and Clark High School and later graduated with a dental degree from the University of Washington. After a few years of working as a Dentist, he founded and ran his own practice, the Lincoln Heights Dental Center, for 36 years. Peter and his wife moved to Rockwood in 2017.
Diane Kelly
Diane is a retired commercial and residential Interior Designer. She also owned a travel agency in Spokane for 16 years. Diane has served on the Finance and Parish Council at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral. She takes great pride in her home at Rockwood and is interested in contributing to the Foundation and operations of Rockwood.
Christi Smith
Christi graduated from college with a nursing degree and is a graduate of Leadership Spokane. She has served on Rockwood’s Hospitality Committee, the RFE Executive Committee, and is a member of the Transitions Planning Group. Christi also serves on the Board of Directors for her church, her church’s Foundation, and the Board of Directors for Habitat Humanity (Spokane and International). Currently she also volunteers at Spokane’s Hospice House.
Debbie Takami
Debbie was born, raised, educated, employed and retired in Spokane, living her entire life here other than an 18-month stint in Seattle. Her career was in risk management and safety, eventually retiring from the Inland Northwest Blood Center, now Vitalant. Debbie moved to Rockwood in 2019 and enjoys volunteering in Rockwood’s Corner Store and Fitness Center. She is honored to be a part of the Rockwood Residents’ Foundation.
Lois Thomason
Lois has been involved with the Rockwood Residents’ Foundation since Rockwood’s north campus was called Rockwood Hawthorne. Lois is a retired schoolteacher and still belongs to Alpha Delta Kapa (Alpha Nu Chapter). This highly regarded society is by recommendation only for people who are outstanding in the educational field. She also served on the Board for the Eastern Washington Genealogy Society and the Washington State Genealogy Society Board.
