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 a positive 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.

Through her work and volunteerism, Duffy cared deeply about young children. She believed that children should feel safe, valued, and supported. 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.

You can contribute toward Duffy's Legacy Fund here. To help launch the fund, Duffy's family is matching individual donations dollar for dollar up to $5,000. A gift of $25 becomes $50, a gift of $100 becomes $200 and so on.

Duffy’s Legacy Fund reflects the belief that healing can take shape through action and community care. Through this fund, Duffy’s memory will continue to support children for generations to come.