Donor Advised Fund
Mark and Karen Pearson
For Mark and Karen Pearson, philanthropy is a natural extension of their strong commitments to youth and education, environmental stewardship, and faith. Since settling in Holland in 2006, the Pearsons have become deeply involved in the community, sharing their time, talents, and resources in both personal and professional pursuits. Establishing a donor-advised fund at CFHZ helped them organize their giving and streamline support for causes and organizations they value.
Raised in Wisconsin and Minnesota respectively, Karen and Mark were influenced by families that prioritized service and generosity. Mark, whose father was a chemistry professor, grew up seeing the power of mentorship. His father’s commitment to helping students excel left an impression. “My father positively influenced a tremendous number of people,” he recalls. “I realized early on that I wanted to emulate him and contribute to my community.”
Karen and Mark met through a series of professional and personal connections while working in higher education. After their marriage, they considered where to build their family and found Holland to be a natural fit. A professor of mathematics at Hope College, Mark said, “Any community with a college is enriched by the energy and diversity it brings. West Michigan is unique in how deeply people care about the community and express that through generosity.”
As they settled into the Holland/Zeeland area, the Pearsons made their own commitments to the community. They were among the early supporters of Eighth Day Farm – a regenerative agriculture organization that seeks to connect people to the land and each other. Fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion is important, leading to investments in CultureWorks, I AM Academy, Hope Church, and Fellowship Reformed Church amongst others. Their support is not only financial but deeply relational; as Karen noted, “We give to organizations that align with our values. It’s a privilege to be a small part of their impact.”
Karen also plays an integral role in the local nonprofit ecosystem as President of Kids Hope USA, an organization that partners with churches and faith-friendly businesses and organizations to connect volunteer mentors with students in elementary and middle schools. Through these mentoring relationships, children gain a stable, supportive adult presence during crucial years for academic and emotional development. Karen and Mark both serve as mentors.
In 2022, the Pearsons established the Mark and Karen Pearson Fund. Motivated by a desire to support the community they cherish, they partnered with CFHZ. “We know the funds that flow through CFHZ are responsibly managed and advance the Foundation’s work,” said Karen. “We choose to house our charitable resources with CFHZ because this is the community where we’ve invested our time and energy. At the same time, we love the flexibility our DAF gives us to support organizations doing important work all over the world.”
Inspired by the values instilled during their childhoods, the Pearsons also saw this fund as a means of creating a legacy. Their children Anna and Joshua serve as legacy advisors, a role that introduces them to the principles of philanthropy. “Our children have shown, through their words and actions, a genuine interest in helping others. We see our DAF as another way to nurture their involvement in the community,” Mark shared. They include Anna and Joshua in discussions about grantmaking and, now that they hold part-time jobs, encourage them to consider contributing to the fund as well.
For the Pearsons, giving back is a recognition of the opportunities they have received. “Our family has been blessed. It’s a joy to partner with CFHZ as we share some of those blessings and help provide others with stability and empowerment,” they said. “We plan to continue sharing our time, talents, and treasure to help provide others with hope, friendship, and opportunities for a brighter future.”