Donor Spotlight: Giving Back, Paying forward - Tricia & Scott Russell

"Giving back is about acknowledging that we did not get to this point in our lives and careers alone and we wanted to invest in others the way others invested in us- family, mentors, business associates, friends and the community.”
​   –Scott & Tricia Russell, donors of the Scott         & Tricia Russell Family Fund

Scott and Tricia Russell have built a legacy of community involvement and philanthropy. Their commitment to giving is shaped by personal experience and inspired by the example set by their parents. Today, they actively support many organizations and those nearest and dearest to their hearts are the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Virginia​Peninsula, Fear 2 Freedom and Impact 100 Greater Peninsula. 

​Now in its tenth year, Impact 100 Greater Peninsula is a collective giving program that empowers individuals to make a greater impact, together. For Tricia, it makes big giving accessible: “I can’t write a check for $50,000, but I can do my part and bring others along to get to $50k.”Their parents inspired them to become philanthropists, and their long-term

vision is to inspire a spirit of giving in their children and grandchildren, ensuring that community support becomes a family commitment.

​Scott, a 40-year veteran of Ferguson, first connected with the Peninsula Community Foundation through Ferguson’s partnership and grant matching program. Scott jumped at the opportunity, and explains: “My motto is to make a difference in the lives of other people.  Giving is a way to live out the principles I have carried throughout my career - mentorship, stewardship and building something that lasts.”

Ferguson’s matching program encourages its leaders to support nonprofits in our hometown region, the Ferguson Family Fund and the company’s national partners like the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, Explore The Trades and Homes for Our Troops. By matching contributions, the program expands the reach of individual giving and reinforces Ferguson’s commitment to strengthening the community.  

Beyond the joy of giving, donor-advised funds (DAFs) offer an easy, streamlined and thoughtful approach to philanthropy. Instead of juggling multiple donations and receipts, donors make a single tax-deductible contribution and plan their giving over time. For Scott and Tricia, this means sitting down together to decide where their support will go and responding to special requests from friends and family.

DAFs also provide long-term flexibility – building a fund that can adapt to changing needs and remain a reliable source of support for the community in the future. Working with the Peninsula Community Foundation helps the Russells stay connected to local challenges and solutions. “PCF doesn’t just fund projects,” shared Scott. “It builds relationships, listens to people and brings together nonprofits, businesses and individuals to solve real challenges in our community.  You feel part of something bigger than yourself.”

Their advice to others considering a donor-advised fund: “Don’t wait! Do it immediately!  It’s a game changer.”

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