The way Tom and Nancy Driscoll lived their lives is the wellspring of this Foundation. Rooted in their love and ethos of giving life back to life, we carry forward Tom’s catalytic energy and Nancy’s commitment, compassion, and resilience. We honor the issues and communities they cherished by advancing a vision and mission that is emergent, responsive, and grounded in relationship.

Our Mission

The Tom and Nancy Driscoll Foundation partners with people and organizations to nurture human potential, vibrant communities, civic health, and environmental stewardship. Guided by trust, relationship, and a spirit of exploration, we invest in place-based and interconnected solutions that uplift individuals, strengthen communities, steward the environment, and honor the magic of each life. Our approach is emergent and responsive, with an open door to evolving needs.

What We Do: We support the many facets that contribute to long-term community vitality, including education, physical and spiritual health, personal development, functioning democracy, the arts, and land stewardship.

How We Work: Our work is grounded in attentive listening and deep relationship, informed by holistic approaches and moral imagination. We embrace bold, innovative solutions to the root causes of complex issues, always with humility and compassion, and guidance from the voices of those we seek to serve.

Where We Work: We focus on underrepresented communities, especially in rural areas such as Siskiyou, Watsonville, and Santa Cruz. We also support initiatives beyond these specific geographies, seeking local impact through global learning and influence.

Who We Serve: We prioritize historically underserved populations, including, but not limited to, youth, women, and farmworker communities who have long been part of Driscoll's legacy.

Our VALUES

Walking Beside, Not Ahead: We work in ways that reflect mutual respect, reciprocity and care – for people, land and community.  Our work is community-led. We come alongside individuals as companions on the path – offering support, reflection, and resources, without control or agenda.

Cultivating Human Potential: We believe in the spark within each person and in personal development as a foundation for broader social transformation.  We support efforts that heal, uplift, and strengthen the civic and spiritual fabric of communities.

Acting with Courage, Compassion and Humility: We take risks and plant seeds of change.  We act with moral courage and compassionate attention, embracing not knowing, and resisting the rush to answers. We do so with humility, transparency and a commitment to values-aligned action.

Living with Emergence: We live in the questions inspired by Tom and Nancy’s curiosity and courage. We approach philanthropy as a journey of discovery and emergence. We trust the path to reveal itself.

Embodying Joy and Grace: We aim to embody the spirit and attention to beauty that defined Tom and Nancy’s lives. We do this work with joy.