Mary Gunn, Vice President

Mary Gunn joined the Hospice Giving Foundation in February 2023, bringing an understanding of the role of nonprofits in community change and a passion for transformative relationships that define effective philanthropy.

Mary worked for The David and Lucile Packard Foundation for more than 19 years, with 15 of those years focused on community impact in Pueblo Colorado, the birthplace of David Packard. Mary worked with community members on collective impact strategies for greater community health and resilience and was responsible for grantmaking to benefit Pueblo County residents.

Mary returned to California in 2000, taking the role of Director of Philanthropy for Monterey Peninsula Foundation, host of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the PURE Insurance Championship.  She was responsible for awarding grants totaling between $10 – 15 million each year to agencies in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties. In 2021, She moved to Montage Health Foundation where she assisted in raising funds and donor stewardship.

Mary is a native of San Luis Obispo and a graduate of University of Santa Clara. She holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University.

“Having been diagnosed with late-stage cancer in my 30’s, I remember difficult conversations with my loved ones both about my treatment and about death. I am passionate about the work of Hospice Giving Foundation to support individuals and families in thinking about, discussing, and planning for the end-of-life.”