Making Meaningful Difference: A Q&A with Philanthropist Laura Gutierrez

Giving back is part of who Laura Gutierrez is and how she chooses to show up in the world. What began as a high school volunteer requirement soon became a deep commitment to philanthropy. The impact of those early volunteer experiences—whether at a soup kitchen, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, or helping to beautify a local school—left a lasting impression on her.  Through her career focus, giving financially, volunteering, and board service; she has committed to making a meaningful difference in her community.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), Laura recently sat down with Nina Alcacio, director of public relations for the Trust, to discuss the importance of leading with action to make a difference in her community. Some questions and answers have been condensed and edited for clarity.

It’s clear that giving back, whether through your time or financially, is important to you and part of who you are. Could you share why it’s so important to you?

Laura Gutierrez: It’s very important for me to show up for others and support my community, whether that be family, the neighborhood I live in, communities I align with, or a specific mission. When I think about what it means to be civically involved, it includes leading with action, showing up for people, or supporting people in multiple ways, like financially or through volunteering. I love to pour into people, especially those who have poured into me.

What does philanthropy mean to you and has it changed over the years?

LG: Since I graduated college and worked in fundraising, my understanding of what it means to be a philanthropist has shifted. Working at the Trust helped me learn about the many facets of philanthropy. Since then, my thinking has evolved. I’ve always correlated philanthropy with more extreme wealth and how it provides the means to give one’s wealth away. Now, I believe that giving through church, supporting mutual aid efforts between residents, or donating in response to getting those address labels in the mail asking for $10 to cure pediatric cancer are all forms of philanthropy. If you give back any amount of time, talent, or treasure, you are a philanthropist. You’re giving something needed with love and care, which is so important to acknowledge.

A $25, $100, or $25,000 donation is all an act of giving, which is philanthropy. And that’s what people sometimes forget, which brings me to why I joined collective giving circles. I’ve participated in three: the Young Leaders Fund, the Next Gen Leaders in Philanthropy through the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation, and Nuestro Futuro. Each one has allowed me to deepen my understanding of issues such as education or food insecurity, and my gift can be amplified by giving to a pooled fund. My $2,500 gift to Nuestro Futuro as part of being a member is amplified into $370,000 because it is combined with other gifts, and grants are made as a collective decision. And so that’s where it feels very good to share a larger impact around a local issue.

How do you choose to exercise your philanthropy now?

LG: Working at the Trust exposed me to the world of philanthropy and helped me learn about important tools for impactful philanthropy like a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). Being so close to the organization’s mission, it was a dream for me to set up a DAF at the Trust. Establishing The Gutierrez Family Fund and leaving a legacy of giving for my nieces and nephews is a privilege. Additionally, I am grateful that my employer offers a two-to-one matching gift program that allows me to increase the impact of my gifts and be more strategic with my yearly giving. If I want to set up a recurring gift, say monthly, yearly, or quarterly, I can accomplish that through my DAF, and then it does the work for me, which I appreciate, so I don’t forget. It’s also all in one place for me; I’m not looking for a donation slip or verifying that an organization’s 501c3 status is up to code because the administrative work is done for me through my DAF by the Trust.

What would you say to a friend or someone who wants to be more involved but needs help figuring out where to start or may feel like they don’t see themselves as a philanthropist or someone who can make a difference? How would you encourage them, and what first steps would you suggest they take?

LG: I always start with questions: what do you like to do and what is important to you? Because of my specific interests, I have cared about domestic violence, hunger relief, and serving the Latine populations. But that doesn’t mean someone else will feel compelled to support those interests. Whether you like supporting animal welfare, children, or hunger relief, you must explore the most important things to you. It’s also important to remember how you like to show up. I am an extrovert and want to be around people and attend events. You might want to focus on advocacy or be behind the scenes. So, you should find the most important things to you and start with those, and then let that lead to something like board leadership. Once you figure it out, you’ll find ways to make it happen, whether through volunteering or financial giving, and all is important!