Jake and Charlyn Plunk first learned about CFT through their support of local nonprofits on North Texas Giving Day, and established their donor-advised fund, The Plunk Family Fund at CFT in 2020.
Jake and Charlyn met at Texas Tech University while studying engineering and are passionate about education — especially STEM. Witnessing their parents’ generosity and being the recipient of generosity through college scholarships was what inspired them to want to help others together as a family as soon as they had the opportunity to do so.
“As parents, we’ve seen firsthand the difference that education can make in a young person’s life. Without the educational opportunities we had at Texas Tech, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” said Charlyn.
Jake and Charlyn both give back to Texas Tech through service on advisory boards and councils, and they’ve also established the Gleeson Plunk Engineering Scholarship at Texas Tech to support engineering students, many of them first generation college students.
Charlyn, who was one of the founders of Sci-Tech Discovery Center, remembers attending board and committee meetings for various nonprofits with a little one in tow. Fast forward to present day, and the Plunks continue to further their family legacy of generosity, involving their three adult children in their giving. During the holidays, they continue to volunteer together as a family at local nonprofits.
Since starting their fund at CFT, they also give their children the opportunity to recommend grants from their fund. “It’s been really meaningful to see which nonprofits they choose each year,” said Charlyn. They’ve also invited Charlyn’s parents to join when they volunteer, which has allowed their children to witness multiple generations giving back to causes near to their hearts. Some of the organizations they’ve supported together include Emily’s Place, Feed My Starving Children, the North Texas Food Bank, Operation Kindness, and Prestonwood Pregnancy Center.
Charlyn continues to lead by example in support of her passion cause areas. She serves on the boards of Sci-Tech Discovery Center and the Treasured Vessels Foundation, and also serves as the STEM Advisory Chair for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. This spring, she’ll serve as the Gala Chair for the inaugural Special Forces Foundation gala.
One thing that’s streamlined their giving is their fund at CFT. “From a convenience and an ease factor, it’s been great for us,” said Jake.
“Having CFT as a partner for our charitable giving fund has been extremely helpful, as has joining a community that surrounds us with other charitably minded people. We have all of our giving information in one easy-to-access place now. We’ve had such a great experience, and are looking forward to getting even more involved through CFT.”
– JAKE PLUNK
CFT FUND HOLDER
This story was originally featured in our 2023 annual report. For additional details and content, click here.
