The Tanner Family
For Ray and Karen Tanner, the Ray Tanner Foundation is an extension of how they live their lives. Their family includes three children: Gracie, Maggie and Luke. Their philanthropic approach has been and continues to be to do as much as they can to help as many needy people as possible.
In a 2008 interview with Columbia’s Free Times, Coach Tanner talked about the Ray Tanner Foundation and gave his wife credit for the vision.
“Karen and I had always really felt that we should be immersed in the community,” Tanner told the Free Times. “It was the right thing to do professionally, but we always wanted to do it. This is where you live. It’s part of your world. Karen said we could do more if we established our own foundation.
“Her vision was right on track. Our foundation really is designed to give 100 percent back. We don’t have a staff; we have one person who gets a stipend for accounting purposes. That’s it. We’re geared toward the Midlands, and we try to give back between $30,000 and $50,000 a year and help organizations and associations that need it.”
Coach Tanner added that it’s a team effort – the Ray Tanner Foundation – even though his name is on it. And he’s the quintessential team player. “It’s about friends, supporters and the citizens of Columbia. So many people take part in the foundation. And when you’re about to do something that helps the community, nobody pulls against you.”
In a 2008 interview with Columbia’s Free Times, Coach Tanner talked about the Ray Tanner Foundation and gave his wife credit for the vision.
“Karen and I had always really felt that we should be immersed in the community,” Tanner told the Free Times. “It was the right thing to do professionally, but we always wanted to do it. This is where you live. It’s part of your world. Karen said we could do more if we established our own foundation.
“Her vision was right on track. Our foundation really is designed to give 100 percent back. We don’t have a staff; we have one person who gets a stipend for accounting purposes. That’s it. We’re geared toward the Midlands, and we try to give back between $30,000 and $50,000 a year and help organizations and associations that need it.”
Coach Tanner added that it’s a team effort – the Ray Tanner Foundation – even though his name is on it. And he’s the quintessential team player. “It’s about friends, supporters and the citizens of Columbia. So many people take part in the foundation. And when you’re about to do something that helps the community, nobody pulls against you.”
