A lifelong gardener, Judith Fetterley has always enjoyed watching things grow, carefully tending the soil and her plants. Her approach to gardening mirrors her approach to giving.

“I always felt that if I was lucky enough to be placed in such a way as to end up with more than enough, that it was essential to find a way to give a little back.” Such an opportunity arose in 2006, leading her to create a donor advised fund to support the organizations that Judith cared about most.

Before becoming a semi-professional gardener, Judith taught American literature, feminist theory, and expository writing at the University at Albany/State University of New York. She is the author of Out in the Garden, a newsletter providing reflections on the complicated interconnections between plants and people.

“I wish that we lived in a place where private citizens didn’t need to step in, that everyone had what they needed to thrive: decent food, access to healthcare and the ability to freely live their lives—this is true social justice.” Since, as she believes, we are not there yet, Judith chooses to support programs that focus on equity and access to basic human rights.

In a recent post, Judith wrote that money is one of the great themes of aging. If you don’t have it, you struggle to get it. If you have it, you struggle with how best to use it while you are alive and after you are dead. Happily, the Community Foundation is here to help with both.

Since 2006, the Judith Fetterley Donor Advised Fund has made 420 grants to local and international organizations like Doctors Without Borders, Earth Justice, Food Pantries for the Capital District and Unity House—organizations that align with Judith’s values.

The Community Foundation is honored to be a part of Judith’s giving legacy, supporting the perennial needs of our community.