Venturing into the unknown and following a path less traveled requires curiosity and confidence. Sue Gallanter’s life has taken her on many winding roads, but she has never strayed from a compassionate approach to the world around her
At the center of Sue’s journey has been an open mind, a big heart, and a willingness to go where she was needed. This spirit was instilled in her growing up in upstate New York, watching her parents give their time and energy to their community. It is something that blossomed as she moved into her own career in nonprofit leadership and philanthropy. And it’s at the center of her family today, as she lives her values as an example for her children and grandchildren.
That generosity was also at the core of Sue’s relationship with her late wife, Susan Bender. Something that they nurtured, that inspired one another, and something that remains a way for the two of them to stay close and honor their shared vision for a more equitable world.
A life shaped by care
Growing up in Amsterdam, New York, Sue’s father was deeply involved in their Dutch Reformed church. Her mother was equally committed to helping others. When a neighbor’s daughter was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, Sue’s mother helped establish a local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and continued her involvement with other organizations throughout her life.
Sue and her sister participated in Girl Scouts, church activities, and UNICEF collections. Looking back, Sue sees how those experiences shaped her understanding of generosity.
“It wasn’t so much a formal lesson as it was a byproduct of how we lived. We didn’t talk about it directly, it’s just what you did,” said Sue.
After moving to Colorado to attend the University of Denver, where she earned her Master’s of Library and Information Science, Sue decided she wanted to be more involved in her new community, eventually volunteering at Hospice of St. John. That experience opened her eyes to the importance of supporting people through some of life’s most difficult moments and the idea of dedicating her time to something she was passionate about. It opened a door Sue hadn’t expected, and before she knew it, she went from volunteering to working there.
Her career continued through nonprofit and community-focused organizations, including Qualife Wellness Community, which helped people navigate the challenges of cancer treatment and life after a serious health diagnosis.
Sue eventually became Senior Vice President of Community Development at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Dedicating this part of her career and life to supporting women, reproductive rights, and creating a healthier community.
Along the way, Sue also helped raise funds for causes close to her heart. She once climbed Mount Kilimanjaro as part of a fundraising effort to benefit a hospital serving women and children in Arusha, Tanzania, a village near the National Park entrance where they began the climb. As time went on, Sue became more intentional and strategic in the way she gave back to her community.
“I think philanthropy has been a vacation as well as a vocation for me,” she says, reflecting on the many ways giving and service have shaped her life. That commitment to community also became an important part of her relationship with her wife, Susan Bender.
Honoring a legacy
Sometimes the best way to remember someone, to honor their legacy, is to carry forward the good they taught you to do in the world. Sue Gallanter remembers her wife Susan every time she gives.
Susan was the catalyst for their more formalized family giving. Susan opened the Susan Bender Family Fund, a donor-advised fund at The Denver Foundation after her successful career as the CEO and Founder of LINC Energy Systems. She wanted to share her success with the people around her.
What began as the Susan Bender Family Fund evolved into the Sue Squared Family Fund, as the priorities and pathways in Sue’s life shifted yet again. Susan’s generosity sparked something in Sue, and it grew into something meaningful for them to do together as a family
“I think of Susan every time I make a gift out of our fund,” said Sue. “I make gifts to organizations I know she would have supported, or give to causes I know she felt strongly about.”
The path less traveled
Today, philanthropy is something Sue shares with her children and grandchildren. This includes volunteering at Project Angel Heart, an organization that delivers medically tailored meals to people living with serious illnesses. It was a place that Sue and Susan supported together.
Sue’s commitment to giving back has also brought new friendships, new experiences, and new opportunities to make a difference – including her involvement with Impact 100 Metro Denver.
Through Impact 100 Metro Denver, Sue has served on grant committees, met fellow philanthropists, and found a community of women who share her passion for giving. She has even discovered new adventures, including hiking trips with friends she met through the organization. Showing up and lending a hand has enriched and enhanced her life, and the lives of so many others.
The Sue Squared Family Fund continues to support important causes today, even making a gift to our Centennial Campaign. When asked why she chose to support the campaign and The Denver Foundation, Sue answers with one word: “Trust.”
She says that trust is what allowed her to introduce friends and colleagues to the Centennial Campaign. She knows the people involved, believes in their professionalism, and trusts the foundation to help donors make a difference.
Sue’s story is a reminder that a life of generosity rarely follows the path you expect. It grows from example, from relationships, from the people who enter our lives and leave something behind. Her parents gave her that example. Susan deepened it. Now Sue is passing it along to her children and grandchildren, who are learning the same lesson in their own way – a full life is measured, in part, by what we do for others. The Sue Squared Family Fund is that generous spirit in action.
The path keeps unfolding. The people we love shape where it leads. And the good we leave behind becomes part of someone else’s way forward.
Whether you are looking for ways to grow your family’s giving, thinking about the legacy you want to leave, or considering a gift in memory of someone you love, we’re here to help. Contact us today to complete your end-of-year giving and grantmaking. Together, we can build a future where generosity continues to grow.
