{"id":1011,"date":"2019-05-20T03:45:45","date_gmt":"2019-05-20T07:45:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.grantwatch.com\/blog\/?p=1011"},"modified":"2022-12-02T02:24:57","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T07:24:57","slug":"turning-tragedy-into-a-legacy-in-perpetuity-jennifer-riordan-foundation-grants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.grantwatch.com\/grantnews\/turning-tragedy-into-a-legacy-in-perpetuity-jennifer-riordan-foundation-grants\/","title":{"rendered":"Turning Tragedy Into a Legacy In Perpetuity – Jennifer Riordan Foundation Grants"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last April, tragedy struck the Riordan family when a Southwest Airlines jet engine failed mid-flight, killing 43-year-old Jennifer Riordan and injuring seven other passengers. Jennifer Riordan, the wife of Michael and the mother of two, was vice president of community relations at Wells Fargo in Albuquerque and a prominent member of the Albuquerque community. It was a miracle that no one else on Southwest Flight 1380 was killed when the Boeing 737 plane flying from New York to Dallas with 149 passengers blew an engine which caused an explosion that blew out a window and damaged the fuselage.<\/p>\n

Riordan served on the boards of many nonprofits and community projects like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the University of New Mexico, and the local city government.<\/p>\n

The Jennifer Riordan Memorial Trust, created by the Riordan family, provided grants of $50,000 to seven nonprofits in 2018 from donations in her memory received from all over the world.<\/p>\n

Grant-giving foundations announce their grants by clicking this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These donations sparked the creation of the Jennifer Riordan Sparkle Fund, a donor-advised fund managed by the Albuquerque Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.<\/p>\n

“The Jennifer Riordan “Sparkle” Fund is an endowed fund that is intended to last in perpetuity so her spirit and her generosity will continue on for the end of days,\u201d said Joanna Colangelo, community impact director at Albuquerque Community Foundation.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur family has been absolutely overwhelmed with the compassion and support we\u2019ve received <\/strong>from people around the world who have been touched by Jennifer\u2019s spirit,\u201d her husband Michael Riordan said in a statement. \u201cThe sole mission of this fund will be to continue Jennifer\u2019s philanthropic enthusiasm to support organizations who shared her core value of striving to always be kind, loving, caring and sharing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Albuquerque Community Foundation In Memory page described Jennifer as an inspiration to all who knew her.<\/p>\n

“Jennifer Riordan’s DNA was comprised of love and kindness. In moments of division, Jennifer was a unifier. In times of need, Jennifer was giving. When a project seemed impossible, Jennifer became the champion. Jennifer’s sheer existence was a lesson to others in how to not only be a good person – but to be a humble person, full of dignity, grace and unwavering joy.<\/p>\n

Jennifer’s energy touched every one of us at the Foundation and we will miss her laughter, enthusiasm and warmth tremendously. Jennifer: as your colleagues – and as your friends – the staff of the Albuquerque Community Foundation will forever carry your name, your generosity and your spirit. Your legacy will rest in all of us who continue to be guided by your infectious belief that when we work together for our community, nothing is impossible.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

All of the funds received to date will be granted to nonprofit organizations<\/a> this year, the news release said. An advisory board is working with the Albuquerque Community Foundation to identify how to use those funds in programming aligned with Jennifer Riordan’s philanthropic spirit. Beneficiaries of the Jennifer Riordan Sparkle Fund are expected to be announced this summer.<\/p>\n

The groups were selected with help from the Albuquerque Community Foundation for exemplifying four pillars of work designed to continue Jennifer Riordan’s legacy: financial literacy, education<\/a>, women’s empowerment<\/a>, and Albuquerque vitality.<\/p>\n

The Jennifer Riordan Foundation Awardees for 2018 were: <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Junior Achievement $10,000
\nWorking Classroom $10,000
\nBarrett Foundation $10,000
\nCrossroads for Women $5,000
\nFamily Advocacy Center $5,000
\nGalloping Grace Youth Ranch $9,000
\nAnnunciation Catholic School $1,000<\/p>\n

To qualify, organizations are invited to apply for the grant and propose how they will use it.<\/p>\n

Grant to a New Mexico Nonprofit, School, or Agency to Promote Academic Success for Middle School Children in Eligible Areas,<\/a> Conference Date: 6\/5\/2019, Deadline: 7\/10\/2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Jennifer Riordan Educate 2 Elevate (JRE2E) Grant is a collaborative funding opportunity that brings together funders from across New Mexico to pool resources and make at least one high impact grant of $50,000. The grant is a collaborative investment from funders in various sectors and encourages organizations to demonstrate similar collaborative thinking when submitting applications.<\/p>\n

The JRE2E grant is focused on supporting educational initiatives for middle school students. Funding is intended to advance the future personal, educational, and professional pathways of students in grades 6 through 8. Eligible initiatives must serve students in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia and\/or Torrance counties.<\/p>\n