Building Our Foundation for Impact

2025 marked the beginning of the Marquez‑Mascardo Foundation’s journey. This year was dedicated to establishing the legal, financial, and operational infrastructure that will support our mission for decades to come. What started as a vision has now become a fully recognized, structured, and mission‑ready charitable organization.

Letter from the Founders

2025 was a year of firsts. We laid the groundwork for a philanthropic effort rooted in family, purpose, and long‑term commitment. From securing IRS recognition to launching our website and establishing our financial systems, each step brought us closer to creating a platform capable of meaningful impact.

We are grateful for the support, guidance, and encouragement we received throughout this process. As we look ahead to 2026, we are energized by the opportunities to begin grant-making, deepen our focus areas, and build partnerships that reflect our values.

This is just the beginning, and we’re excited for what comes next.

2025 Highlights

IRS Recognition

We received official IRS determination as a tax‑exempt private foundation. This milestone formalized our charitable status and enabled us to begin building our operational and financial framework.

Organizational Structure Finalized

We completed the development of our governance structure, including board roles, decision‑making processes, and compliance practices. This foundation ensures transparency, accountability, and long‑term sustainability.

Website Launch

We launched Marquez‑Mascardo.org, providing a public home for our mission, values, and future initiatives. The site will serve as a hub for communication, updates, and community engagement.

Banking Infrastructure Established

We opened our checking and credit card accounts, enabling smooth financial operations and responsible stewardship of foundation resources.

Investment Platform Activated

We opened our brokerage account with Schwab, establishing the foundation’s investment platform and preparing for long‑term asset growth to support future grant-making.

Financial Overview

Because 2025 was our inaugural year, our financial activity focused on setup rather than grantmaking. Key financial actions included:

• Establishing banking and investment accounts

• Preparing for initial contributions and asset transfers

• Implementing accounting and compliance systems

• Ensuring readiness for 2026 grantmaking

A full financial statement will be included in next year’s report once grantmaking and investment activity begin.

Governance & Compliance

In 2025, we prioritized building a strong governance framework to ensure responsible stewardship. Key steps included:

• Defining board roles and responsibilities

• Establishing conflict‑of‑interest and ethics policies

• Setting up record‑keeping and compliance systems

• Preparing for annual IRS filings and reporting requirements

This structure positions the foundation for long‑term accountability and transparency.

Looking Ahead to 2026

With our foundation now fully established, 2026 will be a year of activation. Our priorities include:

• Launching our first grantmaking cycle

• Defining our strategic focus areas

• Building relationships with nonprofit partners

• Developing a long‑term investment and giving strategy

• Expanding our communications and community presence

We are excited to transition from building to giving — and to begin making a meaningful impact.