Donna Mae Moore’s Legacy Provides Critical Care for Animals in Need

When Donna-Mae Moore passed away in May 2025, she left behind much more than fond memories and a lifetime of service; she left a legacy of compassion, purpose, and generosity for animals in need. A lifelong educator who dedicated her career to teaching, Donna-Mae also quietly shaped the future of animal welfare in Yuma County and the surrounding Bard/Winterhaven region through strategic philanthropy.

Donna-Mae was not only an advocate for animals, but she was also a visionary. She saw how small, underserved communities across the Arizona–California border lacked consistent access to veterinary care, particularly for stray and abandoned animals. Rather than simply acknowledge the problem, she acted. In 2012, she established a donor advised fund (DAF) at the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) to ensure animals in Yuma and Bard would receive the care they needed.

Since then, her fund has awarded more than $58,000 in grants, directly supporting spay and neuter programs and emergency care services provided by the Humane Society of Yuma. Thanks to thoughtful investment and stewardship at ACF, the fund still holds a strong balance of $63,000, poised to continue helping animals for years to come.

How a Donor Advised Fund Multiplied Her Impact

A donor advised fund is a charitable giving tool that allows donors to support causes they care about over time. The initial contribution is invested, grows tax-free, and can be granted out strategically at the donor’s discretion. For Donna-Mae, this structure offered the perfect blend of flexibility, long-term impact, and local control.

• Sustainability: Her $65,000 initial gift continues to generate grant funding without being depleted.
• Flexibility: She directed funding to where it was most needed, including cross-border areas like Bard & Winterhaven
• Legacy: The fund includes provisions to receive the proceeds from the future sale of her Yuma home, further increasing its impact.

Her fund also supports work coordinated on the ground by trusted local advocates, ensuring that animals in Bard/Winterhaven—who fall within the Humane Society of Yuma’s service area—receive critical care.

An Enduring Commitment

Donna-Mae’s approach to giving was thoughtful and rooted in her values. She planned ahead built a flexible structure for continued impact and trusted her local community to carry out her vision. Her fund doesn’t just honor animals, it honors the community she loved and the people who share her care for vulnerable lives.

At the Arizona Community Foundation of Yuma, we are proud to steward her funds and ensure her charitable intent is honored. Donna-Mae Moore’s legacy is a reminder that philanthropy is not about wealth, it’s about heart, commitment, and vision.