At the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA), we are honored to help carry forward the legacies of donors who care deeply about this region. Leone Mohney is one of those remarkable individuals whose generosity will continue to shape Southern Arizona for generations to come.
We are grateful for the opportunity to steward the Leone Mohney Endowed Fund, created through her estate gift, and to ensure her vision continues to support the community she loved.
Leone was a proud graduate of Tucson High School and spent most of her life in Tucson, living in the adobe home her parents built. After earning her degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, she returned to her hometown to begin a distinguished career as a microbiology researcher at the University of Arizona.
Her work reflected both excellence and purpose. As a trailblazing scientist, Leone contributed meaningfully to her field while also mentoring emerging scientists. Her influence extended well beyond her research, shaping the lives and careers of those who learned from her.
Alongside her scientific accomplishments, Leone held a deep appreciation for the arts.
She believed strongly in the role the arts play in shaping young lives, fostering creativity, confidence, and connection. That belief guided her legacy gift, which was directed to support arts organizations serving children across Southern Arizona.
Through her endowed fund at CFSA, Leone’s generosity will continue in perpetuity, providing sustained support to arts organizations that enrich our community and expand young people's access to creative opportunities.
Leone’s story is a powerful reminder that legacy giving is personal. It reflects what matters most to each donor and extends those values into the future in a lasting way.
At CFSA, we are privileged to work alongside donors who choose to invest in Southern Arizona not only for today, but for the generations yet to come. Each legacy gift strengthens the fabric of our community and helps ensure it continues to thrive.
We are deeply grateful to Leone, and to all who have chosen to leave a legacy of generosity. Your vision and commitment make a lasting difference in the place we all call home.
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