The Phyllis Z. Seton Fund

Phyllis Z. Seton was no stranger to philanthropy.

In addition to establishing one of the early donor advised funds at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven more than three decades ago, she and her husband, Fenmore, created the Elm-Ivy Awards to honor Town and Gown community members whose service has strengthened the ties of New Haven and Yale.

“When 20 years ago my mother told us about the proposed Community Fund for Women & Girls, it was the first time that my husband Charles and I had heard about an effort specifically focused on the social and economic advancement of women and girls in the region,” explains Dinny Wakerley.

“Her enthusiasm was so infectious that we too made a founding donation, despite the fact that we had moved away decades before.”

When the Wakerleys returned to New Haven in 2001, they continued to support the work of the Fund for Women & Girls.

“And with the Fund’s 20th Anniversary, we had a wonderful opportunity to create the Phyllis Z. Seton Fund, enabling us to recognize not only my mother’s generosity and philanthropy but also as a way of saying thank you for the wonderful example that she and my father set for us, and that we hope will continue in future generations of our family.”