Franklin and Debbie Morton moved to Park City part-time in 2013 to be a part of a like-minded outdoorsy town, and made it full-time in 2018. One of the first ways they sought connection with the community was through Park City Community Foundation.
“We’ve always been involved with the community and trying to make it a better place,” Franklin said. “Especially for those that experience either economic, health, or educational challenges. I would say education is probably our biggest hot button issue.”
Franklin said he believes someone receiving a good education can be the key to breaking multi-generational poverty, and Debbie agreed. They also care a lot about healthcare and the environment, among other issues.
Within the Community Foundation, Franklin serves on the Investment & Finance Committee, having previously served on the Board of Directors. He has a career background in investment, and believes he has something of value to share, so he offers his advice where he can in the community. He’s also a big supporter of the Community Foundation’s endowment, which is invested to help the community in perpetuity.
“We want to make Park City a better place. It’s already a great place. We want to make it even better, and it’s nice to know that some of the results of our philanthropy will be invested in every year. They’ll make more money to help more people in Park City,” Franklin said.
Debbie was one of the first Women’s Giving Fund members. She used her background in nonprofits to help select the first grantee as a part of the Grant Committee, and over the years has helped recruit countless other women+ to the cause.
Debbie is passionate about women and girls learning self-reliance. She is also passionate about the nonprofit community that helps each other in Park City, such as PC Tots and People’s Health Clinic working closely with Women’s Giving Fund.
The couple are proud to see how far Park City Community Foundation and the local nonprofit community have come in the last decade. Franklin commented on how large the staff has grown, and how amazing it is to see Live PC Give PC raise so much more money each year for all the nonprofits.
“You don’t see that in very many places,” Debbie added. “The Community Foundation is a great organization, and the nonprofits are really fortunate to have their guidance.”