Giving as a family can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences. It creates opportunities to strengthen relationships, pass down values, and make a meaningful impact on the causes and communities that matter most.
At The Dallas Foundation, we help families turn shared values into intentional action through personalized guidance, facilitated family conversations, and deep knowledge of our community’s needs and opportunities. By bringing generations together around a common purpose, families can create a lasting legacy that extends far beyond a single gift.
For Susan and Scott Salka, philanthropy has become a way to connect their family, honor diverse perspectives, and inspire future generations to make a difference.
A Journey Rooted in Values
Their story has never been about a single act of generosity. Instead, it has been a journey of shared values, connection, and family.
That journey began years ago when Susan traveled with AMN Healthcare on service trips to Guatemala, where she witnessed firsthand the life-changing impact of giving time and resources to underserved communities. Those experiences shaped her belief that philanthropy should be intentional, relational, and rooted in shared values.
Finding a Home in Dallas
When the Salkas relocated from San Diego to Dallas in 2017, they knew they wanted to carry that spirit forward.
Through a trusted financial advisor, Susan was introduced to The Dallas Foundation and quickly found a partner to help guide her family’s philanthropic journey.
Giving as a Family
The Salkas knew they wanted their philanthropy to be a family endeavor, ensuring their children were actively involved. With eight children, including five who are adopted, the Salkas’ multicultural family brings a wide range of perspectives and lived experiences to their giving. Inviting their children into the work of giving was both a way to bond and to honor the many perspectives that shaped their family.
To ensure every voice is heard, the family began hosting family retreats as a way to bring everyone together around philanthropy and align their individual passions with a shared vision. The Dallas Foundation advisors joined the family to facilitate discussions exploring their core values, their hopes for legacy, and the impact they aspire to make together. Each family member—from adult children to in-laws—had the chance to share their perspective, creating a foundation and plan for deeper connection and intentional giving.
Defining Shared Priorities
Through this process, the family established four giving pillars that now serve as the foundation of their philanthropy:
- Accessibility and Intellectual Disabilities Protections
- Land Conservation
- Strengthening Community Impact
- Homelessness
These pillars reflect both the family’s shared commitments and the individual passions of its members. By focusing their giving, the Salkas are able to deepen their impact while ensuring alignment with their family values.
Passing on a Legacy
Today, philanthropy is woven into the Salkas’ family traditions. Their children are active participants in giving, and now the next generation is beginning to take part as well. With their first grandchild, Susan and Scott are excited to instill the same values of generosity, unity, and impact that have guided their family’s journey, ensuring their legacy of giving continues for generations to come.
The Salkas remain committed to supporting the causes closest to their hearts while empowering the next generation to shape its own philanthropic path.
A Partner for the Journey Ahead
As the Salkas’ philanthropy continues to evolve, The Dallas Foundation remains a trusted partner. Whether helping refine their values, connecting them with local nonprofits, or providing opportunities like Rising GENerosity for younger family members, the Foundation offers the insight, structure, and relationships to make their giving even more intentional.
Together, the Salkas and The Dallas Foundation are building a legacy of generosity rooted in family, strengthened across generations, and focused on lasting impact.
Every family’s giving journey is unique. Discover how The Dallas Foundation can help your family build a shared vision for impact that reflects what matters today and for generations to come.