- Louis Webb, Pasadena Star-News, 1956
Our History
In 2013 the Pasadena Community Foundation will celebrate 60 years of service to the greater Pasadena community!
On December 10, 1953, Louis Webb established the Pasadena Foundation, now known as the Pasadena Community Foundation. He and his wife Marion also made provision to bequeath their estate to the Foundation.
The Foundation assets have grown through subsequent gifts from donors who have shared the Webbs’ dream and wanted to do their part, to give back, and strengthen our community.
Born in Michigan in 1882, Louis Webb moved to Pasadena with his family. Later he gained his fortune as an engineer, a real estate developer and investor.
A frugal millionaire with a deep commitment to giving back to the community, Louis Webb developed a plan to share his fortune with Pasadena forever. Behind a rough facade he maintained an idealistic, generous spirit particularly for children, the disabled and seniors.
During a rare interview with the Pasadena STAR-NEWS in 1961, Webb outlined his dream to create a community trust: "I wanted to do some good with my money...in some manner that would continue the charitable work after I was gone."