Good Karma: The Golden Door Foundation

Some of our favorite stories to write are our Good Karma features, where we get to highlight the philanthropic efforts of spas and wellness businesses across the globe. This month our focus is on Golden Door, the famed destination spa that lives by the philosophy, “We receive by giving.”

The San Marcos, California-based spa launched The Golden Door Foundation last year and has been busy doing good deeds ever since, offering services to many charities that fall in line with Golden Door’s values and principles; the foundation also vows to provide support to improve communities on both global and local levels.

As Golden Door General Manager Kathy Van Ness says, “The Golden Door changes people’s lives every day. And part of our mission now is that Golden Door wants to give it back. And how do we give it back?”

By pledging 100 percent of the resort’s net profits to “select charities in support of their missions,” that’s how, Golden Door shares. (Yes, you read that correctly!)

The foundation has worked or is currently working with the following charities:

• The Golden Door Foundation is sharing sustainable gardening practices with the Global Health Committee’s Ethiopian Zahara Center, which will offer HIV and drug-resistant tuberculosis counseling and expertise for children. Golden Door is currently helping to source materials for the development of the Center’s food gardens, including already planted mango, avocado, and banana trees. Once completed, the garden will include vegetable beds, a shade gazebo, permaculture swale instillation, fruit orchards, and ornamental landscapes, Golden Door says.
• The Golden Door Foundation has made a $75,000 unrestricted contribution to support Escondido-based Forensic Health Services Center, an organization devoted to helping provide physical, mental, and emotional health support to victims of child abuse and sexual assault.

We can’t wait to hear about the foundation’s next inspiring project!