About the Foundation
Vision
The Mary R. Stauffer Foundation is an inspiration to give back to their community by facilitating educational opportunities that empower educators and encourage students to achieve their dreams through lifelong learning.
Mission
The Mary R. Stauffer Foundation mission is to increase the intellectual, social and health of Downey by motivating students and teachers to reach their scholastic, athletic, and artistic potential.
Foundation History
Born August 26, 1917, Mary Ruth Schuh early on showed a passion for education by graduating top in her class at high school, college, and medical school. In 1953 after 10 years of marriage, Dr. Mary R. Stauffer and her husband Dr. Floyd (Dal) Stauffer chose to raise their family in Downey, California, after he completed his service in the Navy. Here, she opened her own OB-GYN practice. In 1954, Dr. Mary joined the Downey Community Hospital Medical Staff and later in 1972 was chosen Chief of Staff.
Dr. Mary Stauffer was one of the first obstetricians to offer expecting mothers an educational program. In 1976, after delivering babies for 23 years in Downey, she transitioned into general practice. Her desire to give back to the community was shown in 1987, when she was the first physician to qualify as a member of the Founders Gallery of Downey Community Hospital with a donation of $100,000.
In 1993 Dr. Mary’s passion for education and philanthropy came together as the Mary R. Stauffer Foundation, a private educational foundation personally funded to give back to Downey, the community where she enjoyed a successful medical practice and her children graduated from the public schools. Her five children (Dorothy, James, Judi, Janet, John) and spouses have helped along the way with the Foundation’s formation. June 30, 1997 at nearly 80, Dr. Mary retired from her 44-year medical practice in Downey. In 2014, the Downey Unified School District (DUSD) honored her contribution to DUSD by renaming West Middle School to Mary R Stauffer Middle School.
2017 marked the 25th Year Anniversary of the Mary R. Stauffer Foundation at which time the Foundation had donated over $5 million in educational grants and scholarships for the DUSD educators and students. Annually, the Foundation invites teachers to propose grants for innovative projects such as a Cooking Cart with lessons in math and science. Projects that the Foundation helped fund initial startup costs include middle schools Academic Olympics, Project Lead the Way 6th – 12th grade, 3rd-12th Grade Robotics Clubs, and Character Counts, now a city-wide program. Other projects that have become traditions and also encourage use of local resources are the Mission Control Program at the local Columbia Memorial Space Center and the Autry Museum brought to classrooms.
In fiscal 2018, over 900 students received scholarships and awards that are now “traditions” in Downey: Community College scholarships and merit awards (Junior 4.0; Scholar-Athlete, and Stauffer Scholar-college savings). Dr. Mary’s decision to continue the Mary R. Stauffer Foundation into perpetuity after her retirement as CEO of the Foundation at 100 years old inspires volunteers today to continue her legacy and motivate Downey students and teachers to reach their potential.
Dr. Mary passed away in February 2021.