Phone: (949) 732-6277
Cell: (714) 224-2289
sgarske@ff-inc.com
Ms. Garske joined First Foundation in 2008 and is responsible for managing operations for family foundation clients and collaborating with their trusted advisors. She has helped family foundations execute their philanthropic mission through strategic planning, effective grant making and impact reporting. Ms. Garske provides guidance to multi-generational families navigating their philanthropic journey. She received First Foundation Bank’s Volunteer of the Month award in December 2021 and serves on the Community Development Subcommittee.
Prior to her position at First Foundation, Sara worked in university advancement at Claremont McKenna College, The University of San Diego and Chapman University, where she raised funds for strategic initiatives, scholarships, and other priorities. Sara has an extensive background in board management, private giving opportunities, program development and fundraising evaluation, fundraising, and event planning.
Sara serves on the Board of Orange County Advisors in Philanthropy and was Board President from 2017-to 2019. She is passionate about equitable high-quality education and mental wellness for youth. She serves on the Boys and Girls Club of Central Orange Coast’s College Board Scholarship Selection Committee and the Founding Advisory Board of Pause Together. Previously, Sara served on the Education Impact Council of the United Way of Orange County and as Co-Chair of MIND Research Institute’s Orange County Leadership Council. Sara is a member of Discovery Cube’s Innovators Advisory Board, the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute Women’s Well-Being Circle and its Women’s Wellness Day Committee since 2020, and Orange County Grantmakers. She enjoys advising nonprofits on strategy and has participated on Octane’s nonprofit accelerator panel.
Ms. Garske received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics and Government with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington.
