The holidays are when people pull out their holiday cheer — and their wallets.
Whether motivated by the spirit of the season or the Dec. 31 I.R.S deadline, an estimated 77 percent of philanthropic donations by individuals are given between November and December.
For local nonprofits, charities and service organizations, the holidays are a busy time. But come January, that’s when the giving season goes into overdrive for people like Amber Fields.
In her role as manager of public affairs for the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Fields, 43, a San Diego native, helps coordinate the tribe’s charitable donations to hundreds of San Diego County organizations every year. From significant six-figure cash gifts to in-kind-donations, sponsoring a table at a fundraiser and everything in between, Sycuan has been recognized for its commitment to groups and issues in the areas of health, education, public safety, domestic and sexual violence prevention, non-gaming tribes and beyond.
Fields, she said, is “the bridge between the community and tribal charitable giving.” And when post-holiday funds from the public dry up, that bridge can get a little gridlocked.
“When January hits, the giving doors fly open and we’re busy, busy girls,” said Fields, referring to herself and her casino counterpart Lauren Morrow, the community development manager for Sycuan Casino Resort. The tribe and the casino have separate operating budgets; a tally of their combined major donations ($10,000 and up) for 2019 was nearly $430,000.
“Our job is to basically just listen,” Fields said of her work with local groups. “We’ll ask, ‘What is the most important goal for you this year? What part of the organization can make best use of this (donation)?'”
If a charity or group’s mission doesn’t necessarily fit with the tribe’s, it may have better success with the casino’s giving arm, and vice versa.
“We try to create a well-rounded list of organizations to help. We want to help as many as we can as often as we can,” said Fields, a Rancho San Diego resident who has worked for the Sycuan tribe and casino in a variety of roles for 26 years, starting part-time as a teenager in the tribal day care center, to jobs as a bingo hall hostess, customer service rep and poker chip counter.
Sycuan’s charitable giving, Fields said, is a natural part of the tribe’s evolution.
“This is a rags-to-riches story,” she said. “Fifty years ago, they were needy, they were on the other end of the giving stick. If you’ve experienced poverty and poor health, you’re much more likely to help others. Now that the roles are reversed, it’s almost a no-brainer. That’s just what you’re supposed to do. … Obviously as the casino has grown, the giving gets bigger.”
Fields said a number of organizations are regular recipients of Sycuan’s philanthropy, including Rady Children’s Hospital and the Center for Community Solutions (CCS). While they both have needs, the two groups couldn’t be more different: Fields said CCS, which works with women and children who’ve been physically or sexually abused, might have 15 people aiding its annual fundraising event. Rady’s, on the other hand, is one of San Diego’s most notable health centers. “Rady’s has like 150 people on the board just on the program alone for their event. It’s like the September issue of Vogue.”
A typical workday for Fields might include a multitude of meetings — with groups seeking assistance, with tribal officials, with Morrow, or representatives from the Sycuan-owned Singing Hills Gold Resort and downtown San Diego’s historic US Grant Hotel. But a large portion of her time is also dedicated to attending galas, benefit luncheons and dinners and fund-raising events.
“Being the bearer of good news is the best part of this job,” Fields said. “While others are comfortable in their pajamas on the couch watching Netflix at night, I’m dolled up down in Del Mar somewhere,” said the married mother of two sons, with a laugh. “Not a bad gig at all.”
Hope she re to wear waterproof mascara. Charity events often highlight someone in need of help or whose life has been turned around by the generosity of donations.
“It’s far more emotional than you would guess, it’s far more emotional than you’d ever imagine,” Fields said of seeing the human impact of Sycuan’s giving.
“At these events, you’re hearing stories that just tug on your heartstrings. It’s so rewarding. It’s really incredibly rewarding.”
Through the years, Fields has also worked for charitable organizations, serving on their boards and committees, and doing hands-on volunteering.
“Field work does bring a different level of awareness. … It’s something you just can’t capture any other way.” The work can be time-consuming, however, so she has had to cut back. “If I’m committing, I want to commit 110 percent, so right now I only sit on one board,” she said.
With her busy day job — and full schedule of evening events — Fields relishes her down time at home with her husband Chris, her high school sweetheart, her 14-year-old son, and when her 24-year-old comes to visit. She enjoys cooking, laying outside by the pool, and “relaxing in my pjs.” For “me time,” she enjoys her regular pilates classes.
Small things in life give her joy, like in the morning when her youngest is getting ready for school.
“I love that every day I’ll start our family (motto) and he’ll finish it: ‘Do your best, forget the rest, because your best is all you can do.'”