Our History
“I have been touched by another’s life. I am blessed and changed because of it.
What else can I do, but give back and in giving I recognize my true nature.”
Anonymous
The story of The Fieldstone Foundation begins with the vision of Peter Ochs, who along with Keith Johnson and Dave Langlois, embarked on a venture to create an organization based on strong values and guided by sound business practices. This venture became The Fieldstone Group of Companies. This group of land development, home building, and real estate businesses began constructing single-family homes in Southern California in 1981.
The Fieldstone Foundation was created in 1983 to carry out the philanthropic mission of its founders. In the words of Peter Ochs: "Since the beginning, we recognized that the way things turned out had less to do with us, than how God had blessed us. We think of giving not as a duty, but as a privilege, to share the blessings that we have received."
The Foundation was established as a separate entity in order to carry out a mission grounded on its own philanthropic merits. Our values centered identity would help us live out this mission to give, serve, and lead with a spirit of responsible stewardship and a servant’s heart. Our independent structure would also safeguard our capacity to sustain our commitment to the community despite the cyclical nature of the housing market.
Over the past 27 years, we have strived to be an active and valuable member to the communities we serve. First, through our grantmaking, the Foundation has partnered with over 6,000 nonprofits to address worthy causes. Second, our call to leadership development in the social sector has focused on building the Leadership Network. This network of nonprofit leaders has grown into a community of over 1,200 members that sustain and support each other by sharing information, resources and experiences. The Leadership Network has grown to be nationally recognized for its caliber and fellowship, and has reached other parts of the country with affiliates throughout the United States.
Over the years, we have strived to share the blessings that have been received through the Foundation’s founders, board and staff, affiliates, and nonprofit partners. It is through the impact of these shared blessings where the Foundation’s history of giving, serving and leading has found its true nature.
