Francis House Center
Homeless services in Sacramento. Debie served on its board and organized its annual Feast for the Streets fundraiser. The foundation has given direct support to its work.
About
Preserving and advancing Debie's legacy
The Debie Baranchulk Foundation was founded in May 2025, a few months after Debie passed away in December 2024. We support the causes and nonprofits that were central to her life.
Our mission
To carry on Debie's commitment to affordable housing, homelessness response, and life skills education, and to build the kind of connected services she spent her life working toward.
Where we are today
We are a young, grassroots organization. For now, that means giving directly to nonprofits Debie cared about and contributing to efforts that match her values. Our longer term plans are laid out on the Programs page.
The four words around our logo are the values Debie lived by. They guide the work we choose to take on.
Discipleship
Compassion
Service
Love
Who Debie was
Debie lived out discipleship, service, compassion, and love, and she was always looking for ways to make her community better.
She was a pioneering lender in the Sacramento area and a strong voice for affordable housing. That work led her to NeighborWorks America, a nonprofit established by Congress to support affordable housing and community development nationwide.
Through housing she met Greg Bunker, who brought her into homeless services. She joined the board of Francis House Center and stayed active in her church and in causes close to her heart.
Debie passed away from adrenal cancer in December 2024. The impact she had on her community is the reason this foundation exists.
Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency
Started as an instructor at the Home Loan Counseling Center, the education arm of SHRA's programs, and went on to become Chair of the Board.
NeighborWorks America
Trained housing counselors and wrote curriculum used by agencies across the country.
Francis House Center
Joined the board and organized the annual Feast for the Streets fundraiser.
Fremont Presbyterian Church
Served as a Deacon, an Elder, and a mentor.
World Vision
Sponsored children through the World Vision program.
Organizations we have supported
This list will grow as the foundation does.
Know an organization we should meet?
We are always looking for groups working in housing, homelessness, and education.