Female Faces of Philanthropy: Joan Kaye Cauthorn

Joan Kaye Cauthorn has served as a model of leadership and vision in community service for Tucson for over 35 years.  She takes “active philanthropy” to a new level.  Her interests have been, and continue to be, broad and deep in cultural, educational, social and political settings.

Joan received a strong heritage of generosity and “Tikun Olam” from both her parents, Selma and Walter Kaye of New York.  Under their expert tutelage, she learned well how to “live a life of giving.”

Joan arrived in Tucson in 1970.  She had previously earned both a B.S. and M.A. in Education from New York University and then received M.A. in Counseling from the University of Arizona.  She subsequently worked as a Marriage and Family Therapist for over 25 years. 

With her energy, insight, resources and Rolodex, Joan has had a significant impact on numerous community institutions including the University of Arizona College of Fine Arts, Judaic Studies, Psychology – Brain Trust, Women’s Studies; the Women’s Foundation for Southern Arizona, the Hispanic Women’s Corporation, the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, the Arizona Theatre Company, the Jewish Community Center, Steele Memorial Children’s Research Center, Tucson Police Department, Tucson Hebrew Academy, Arts for All, and COPE.

Intrinsic to Joan’s participation in any activity is the sense of challenge and vision she brings with her  - - challenges to ways of thinking, organization, process, and motivation.  She nudges and nurtures, gives generously, and helps strengthen the capacity of people and institutions to do more and do it better. Over and over, her candor and can-do attitude contribute many dimensions of resources to our community.

She is avidly passionate about her family … her wonderful husband, Robert Cauthorn, her children and grandchildren.  She is lovingly their greatest cheerleader … as they are hers!