Peter Gold & Athalie Joy

Giving with Intention to Make Meaningful Impact

“Buffalo is a place with a very rich history and we both want to be a part of its future,” noted Peter Gold. For years, Peter and his wife, Athalie Joy, have been quietly woven into Buffalo’s
civic and cultural life. Peter spent much of his career at the University at Buffalo, devoted to undergraduate education and research, while Athalie followed a long career path as an esteemed psychologist.

Beyond the campus and the clinic, the couple found a shared love of Western New York, history, arts and culture and giving back.

Upon retiring, Peter and Athalie knew they wanted to continue to give back to Western New York in deep and meaningful ways. They joined the 21st Century Fund, a giving circle of the Community Foundation in which members vote to award a $100,000 grant every other year.

“I volunteered to be on the 21st Century Fund grant committee, and I began to learn about charitable giving,” explained Peter. “That got both of us thinking about how to spend our money wisely and how to do good.”

From there, they expanded their relationship with the Community Foundation by establishing three funds: an IRA rollover fund; a fund that supports racial equity, building arts, music and the environment; and a legacy fund that will support specific organizations and interest areas after their lifetimes.

“The organizations named in our legacy plan all speak very highly of the Community Foundation. That says a lot about the important role it plays with nonprofits,” Peter said.
“I’m confident that we can leave a lasting legacy in Western New York and entrust it to the Community Foundation to carry out our wishes.”