AUGUST, 2025, Stroll Magazine Fairbanks Ranch

If you’ve attended a Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund event or volunteered at a local nonprofit, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Mara Buchholz. A familiar face in Fairbanks Ranch, Mara’s warmth and dedication have made her a true connector and champion for giving back.

Mara’s journey with the Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund began with a simple desire: to make a meaningful difference close to home. As someone who had just moved to San Diego from out of state, she first joined the Women’s Fund in 2018 as a way to engage with the community and learn more about local non-profits. Since joining, she’s become a driving force within the organization, serving as both Grants Committee Co-Chair and, most recently, as the Executive Board’s Technology Chair. *I love seeing what happens when women come together with a shared purpose,” Mara shares. “It’s inspiring to witness the ripple effect our collective giving has across San Diego.” Her leadership has helped the Fund award millions in grants to local nonprofits, supporting causes that range from women veterans to early childhood literacy.

The Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund is a pooled giving organization intent on keeping its administrative costs to a minimum so that the maximum amount of money can be granted out to the community.

As Grants Committee Co-Chair, she was primarily responsible for reviewing grant proposals, narrowing applicants, organizing site visits, and presenting finalists to the General Membership for their vote. Now as Technology Chair, she has rolled up her sleeves and put her computer and management skills to work.

From maintaining the grant process software, to managing the website to overseeing data analytics and communication tools, Mara helps to ensure that the Fund operates with efficiency and innovation. Her passion for making technology accessible has also streamlined member communications and enhanced the Fund’s digital capabilities, making it easier for members to stay engaged, informed and connected.

BUILDING LOCAL SUPPORT NETWORKS

Mara’s impact extends beyond her official roles. She is known for personally welcoming new members to the Women’s Fund, hosting informational sessions, and mentoring women interested in philanthropy. By fostering these relationships, she has helped create a network of engaged, supportive members who collaborate on grantmaking and volunteer projects.

Her hands-on approach is evident in volunteer initiatives such as preparing and distributing books for military children, which bring neighbors together in service and strengthen community bonds. As Technology Chair, Mara has also made it easier for residents to participate in decision-making and stay informed about local initiatives, further connecting and empowering the community.

A NEIGHBOR WHO BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER

Outside of her philanthropic work, Mara enjoys the connections she’s made right here in Fairbanks Ranch. She and her husband Tom, love living in Fairbanks not only for its scenic beauty but also for the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that makes our community unique. Mara often speaks about the value of the friendships and support she’s found here, emphasizing that the people and their spirit of caring are what make the area truly special.

If you see Mara at the next Women’s Fund meeting or around the neighborhood, be sure to say hello.

If you would like to learn more about the Women’s Fund or be a guest at a Women’s Fund event, ask her! She’s always eager to welcome new faces and share stories about the difference neighbors can make together. For information, or to join the Women’s Fund, please visit their website at  www.rsfwomensfund.org