Faces of Philanthropy: Diana Garcia
Saint Narcisa de Jesus, a saint from my home country Ecuador, is a true role model for my giving journey. She is reflected in the women of our giving circle, where charity is not only about what we give but how we give -with humility, love, and deep trust in God’s mercy.
Diana Garcia
St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church
Founding WPGC Member
I am the Development Manager at Catholic Charities of Central Florida. I have been in my role for nearly three years.
My journey with the beautiful family of the Diocese of Orlando began in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, when I joined The Catholic Foundation. I served through the Donor Services team as the Legacy Gifts and Grants Manager, where I gained valuable experience in donor stewardship, planned giving and managing gifts of non-cash assets. I was also proud to be part of the launch of the Donor Advised Fund program for which we vetted over 300 diocesan and non-diocesan nonprofit organizations and offered our community the opportunity to recommend and receive grants through a Catholic compliant DAF.
I am fortunate to work for Catholic Charities of Central Florida, where I have the opportunity to advocate for homelessness prevention, a cause I am deeply passionate about.
On my free time I enjoy serving as a lector at my parish, spending time with friends, going to Pilates class, cooking, reading, watching telenovelas and playing with my niece Sophia.
Faces of Philanthropy Q & A with Diana Garcia:
Q: What is special about being a member of the Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle.
A: I am proud to be a member of the WPGC. It is my way of giving back to the community I care so deeply about. Every day I see firsthand the challenges charitable organizations face in funding programs to carry out their mission and support those in need. Being part of this group allows me to sit on the other side of the table, reminding me of the generosity and compassion that lives in the hearts of our community. It is a true privilege to help plant seeds of hope in the lives of those served by the organizations we support year by year.
Q: Is there a Scripture, prayer, or saint that speaks to your giving journey?
A: Saint Narcisa de Jesus, a saint from my home country Ecuador, is a true role model for my giving journey. Her life of service and simplicity inspires me deeply. She provided food, clothing, and spiritual comfort to the less fortunate, seeing Christ in every person she served.
Saint Narcisa de Jesus is reflected in the women of our giving circle, where charity is not only about what we give but how we give—with humility, love, and deep trust in God’s mercy.
Q: What inspired you to join the Women’s Giving Circle?
A: It was an answer to my desire to do more for my community beyond my professional work. Being part of this circle allows me to live out my values in a meaningful way, giving back while staying connected to my Catholic faith.
Q: What’s been your most meaningful moment in the Circle so far?
A: Having the opportunity to gain an inside look at the mission, values and community impact of neighbor charitable organizations has been incredibly meaningful. It is powerful to see what these organizations are accomplishing through their mission.
Q: What message would you share with women considering joining?
A: I encourage you to join. You will find a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose in being part of this circle. Through your generosity, you will help change lives, and there is truly no greater joy than knowing you have made a meaningful difference.
Q: What kind of impact do you hope the Circle makes in our community?
A: I pray that our Circle continues to grow. We need more women to join us. The impact from collective giving can be incredibly powerful in providing more funding opportunities to those who are serving our community needs.
Q: What advice would you give to the next generation of women givers?
A: Start somewhere – whether volunteering at your local church, food pantry or shelter. It is in small acts of service that awareness of our community’s most pressing needs begins to grow. From there, the desire to do more will naturally follow, and your heart will guide you to respond generously through time, talent and treasure.
Q: What impact have you seen or experienced through Foundation-supported programs?
A: In my professional experience as a fundraiser, Foundation support is vital in the continuation and expansion of programs. Foundations help create long term sustainability through endowments and investments that provide for the future growth of charitable organizations. Their grants are often more flexible than other sources, making them especially valuable for filling funding gaps and addressing emerging needs.
Click here to learn more about our Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle.