San Diego Women’s Foundation launches fund in the honor of late member, A.J. Frank, dedicated to improving and deepening relationships with San Diego nonprofits

San Diego CA— The San Diego Women’s Foundation (SDWF) is launching the A.J. Frank Fund in recognition of a legacy gift left by a recently departed member, A.J. Frank. As Chair of the Collaboration Committee, a SDWF Legacy Circle member, and a past SDWF president, A.J. worked tirelessly to make a positive impact in the San Diego region and truly believed in the power of collective philanthropy to change lives.  
Before her passing, Frank was working on a partnership with the Latina Giving Circle to support racial equity work in the San Diego community. This experience inspired her to consider offering a 1-year SDWF membership to a representative of each organization that receives grant funds to build relationships and trust in the community and with nonprofit leaders. In honor of her desire to deepen these relationships, the first project of the A.J. Frank Fund will be to extend an SDWF membership to each organization the Foundation awards a grant to moving forward, from both the central SDWF grants pool as well as any additional work funded through the collaboration initiatives.  
“We are honored to be able to launch this fund and carry on the work of A.J. Frank, who was such an important part of our organization and community,” said Stephanie Cook, Executive Director of the San Diego Women’s Foundation. “We’re looking forward to continuing the work she dedicated so much of her life to by utilizing a combination of her legacy gift and donations made in her honor to offer 1-year memberships to representatives from our future nonprofit partners.”  
Frank was born in Scarsdale, New York, and graduated from Duke University in 1972. She was a fee-only certified financial planner with her own practice for over 25 years. She also worked at SIG for 30 years, where she was a key contributor to the growth and success of the company. Frank loved reading, walking at the beach with her dear friend and former SDWF President Cindi Hill, mentoring, volunteering, relentlessly working, her SIG friends, and assisting her financial planning clients over the years.  
 She was respected and loved by all those she touched. A.J. was a long-time resident of La Jolla where she also spent her last moments surrounded by dear friends and loved ones.  
 For more information about the A.J. Frank Fund and the San Diego Women’s Foundation, please visit www.sdwomensfoundation.org.