In 2003 the Pasadena Community Foundation celebrated
50 years of service to the greater Pasadena 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 toward
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."
So on December 10, 1953, Webb bestowed $1 million to create the Pasadena Foundation,
now known as the Pasadena Community Foundation. In the last 50 years, the Foundation's
assets have grown to more than $16 million. This has been made possible by new
generations of donors who have shared Webb’s dream and wanted to do their
part, to give back, and strengthen our community. |
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