Bee and Sharon
Inspired Giving
A mother-daughter duo carry on a family legacy.
This spring, we sat down with Bee and her daughter Sharon to talk about their family’s longstanding tradition of community and philanthropy. They partner with the Foundation for their charitable giving, and we wanted to learn more about what shaped their community-centric values. Together, they told us stories of life in Laos, life in community, and life after loss.
Sharon
How did philanthropy and giving become a part of your family’s story?
Bee: Our cultural background is very naturally giving. I grew up in Laos, and the concept of giving is everywhere. If you want anything, you just have to ask.
Sharon: My father, who drove a lot of the philanthropy in our family, grew up with very little, but he shared what little he had. He always thought about others. Growing up, his father gave him a bus fare to go to school, because he was very fortunate to get into the university. And instead of using it for the bus fare, he would buy drinks for his friends, and they would all walk to school together. He would rather have that community than have the luxury of taking a bus. He was raised with the value of people above resources. It’s been something that our whole family has adopted.
Investing in Community-led Solutions
As Minnesota’s largest community foundation, we believe in nurturing community-led solutions. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of regional needs, leading to solutions that are sustainable, effective and culturally informed.
Why did you decide to partner with the Foundation for your giving?
Bee: We’d been giving money to the church and to individuals, but my daughter, Ilean, said to us, “You know, your impact could go further with the Foundation.” She was a lawyer, so she researched things very deeply. She was aware of the tax benefits. She wanted us to have a bigger vision for our giving. That’s how we started our first fund in 2009.
Sharon: My father worked in elder care for 30 years, and he and my mother always knew they wanted to do more for the community. The Hmong Elders Center offers culturally appropriate elder daycare, and it's also a community space. We have a lot of partnerships. There was an agricultural group here, and we would do seed programs. In the summer we had a block party and gave out ice cream to voters. We wanted it to be a welcoming center, not just for Hmong people, but for anyone.
My sister Ilean was a titan in the community. She started countless organizations. After my father retired, she became Executive Director of the Elder Center until she passed away in 2021.
Hmong Elders Center building in Saint Paul
Supporting Your Giving Goals
Helping families achieve their giving goals is the whole reason we’re here. When you work with us, you have a local partner who supports your goals and knows the community. Each donor works with a dedicated philanthropic advisor, and together we customize a giving plan to meet your needs.
Bee and her daughter Sharon
If someone was curious about the process for setting up a fund, what would you tell them?
Bee: It’s not difficult. For me, the most important step is having somebody sit down with you and really talk through your options. That’s what the Foundation did.
Sharon: My mom and I agree that the Foundation has lasting impact, and they have the same values we do.
Bee: Yes, and a fund is a more lasting way to support the community. We love helping the community that we live in.
We feel honored when someone chooses us to be their partner in giving. If you’ve been considering your giving legacy, reach out and let us start answering your questions right away.