Duffy’s Legacy Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Homer Foundation, honors the life of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane by supporting young children, families, and early childhood education programs throughout the community.
The Homer Foundation is honored to announce the creation of Duffy’s Legacy Fund, a donor-advised fund established to support young children, families, and early childhood education across our community.
Created in memory of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, the fund is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: that even in the wake of tragedy, compassion can continue to grow and create meaningful change.
Duffy’s life, and the years-long search for justice following her 2019 murder, deeply affected Homer and communities across Alaska. Throughout that difficult journey, community members showed extraordinary care for Duffy’s family through searches, meals, advocacy, court support, and continued remembrance. That support became a reflection of the very values Duffy embodied: kindness, service, and care for others.
Rather than allowing Duffy’s story to be defined solely by violence and loss, this fund seeks to carry forward the way she lived and the love people continue to hold for her.
Duffy cared deeply about young children and families. She believed children should feel safe, valued, and supported, and understood that strong families help create strong communities. This fund honors those values by investing in programs and resources that nurture children in their earliest years.
Potential uses of the fund may include support for local childcare providers through professional development opportunities, classroom supplies, books, and developmental learning materials. The fund may also help provide parenting workshops, early literacy programs, playgroups, and partnerships with nonprofits, schools, and childcare centers serving young children and families.
One vision for the future includes creating “Duffy Kits” for families with young children — collections of books, learning tools, and supportive resources designed to encourage connection, development, and care at home.
Duffy’s Legacy Fund reflects the belief that healing can take shape through action, generosity, and community care. Through this fund, Duffy’s memory will continue to support children and families for generations to come.
Duffy’s Legacy Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Homer Foundation, honors the life of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane by supporting young children, families, and early childhood education programs throughout the community.
As online fundraising platforms increasingly create nonprofit donation pages without permission, clear communication about trusted giving channels is essential to protecting donor trust. The Homer Foundation encourages nonprofits and fundholders to proactively guide supporters toward secure, approved ways to give.
On May 19, the Homer Foundation visited recent Quick Response Grant recipients in Seldovia and presented a scholarship to graduating senior Michael Geagel.
The Homer Foundation awarded 25 scholarships totaling $77,000 to local students this year through donor-supported endowed funds. Since 2000, the program has awarded more than $573,000 in scholarships, continuing to support students across the southern Kenai Peninsula in pursuing their educational and career goals.
Students in the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) program reviewed nonprofit applications and awarded $20,000 to local organizations supporting food security, housing, and early childhood services on the southern Kenai Peninsula. Funded by Robert and Meon Purcell, the program helps build youth leadership and community awareness.
We thank Ken Taylor for his dedicated service on the Board of Trustees. His thoughtful leadership and deep commitment to the community made a lasting impact.
