Tom Kalishman

The underlying quality of life is embedded in the diversity of our population, but everyday we come closer to losing what we value most. Fire fighters, police officers, teachers, nurses and volunteers are at the heart of any healthy community, and we want them to be at home in Jackson. However, if local housing prices don't frighten them, the commutes will. Their community loyalty will transfer with them when they have to relocate, or at the very least, will be subdivided between Jackson and wherever they are forced to live.

This challenge makes affordable housing our community's most pressing issue and is the reason I joined the Board of the Jackson Hole Community Housing Trust. I volunteer my strategic planning and marketing skills to help ensure we are capitalizing on every possible opportunity to maintain our healthy and diverse community.

There are multiple worthy causes in Jackson, all of which deserve support. I rely on my donor advised fund at The Community Foundation to help me maintain focus on achieving my personal philanthropic objectives.

We can't afford to lose the values that originally brought us all together. If we invest in affordable housing, critical members will stay invested in our community and will always call Jackson Hole “Home.”

Tom Kalishman, Tom Kalishman Donor Advised Fund