History of the Luévano Foundation

The distinction of The Luévano Foundation stems from the personal history of the man it originally honors, Ralph Luévano. In 2006 the foundation board expanded the foundation title to also honor Maria Luévano. Thus the foundation recognizes the life and shared commitments of Ralph and Maria Luévano. Together they educated their children, were faithful Catholics, and always worked for the advancement of their people. Ralph was deeply patriotic and a decorated veteran of World War II. Maria was a dedicated wife and devoted mother and grandmother. While she raised her five children and managed the household she also worked for the Santa Ana School District for many years.

Born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, Ralph immigrated with his family to the United States as a child. Maria was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, after the death of her mother, two-year old Maria was raised by her godparents in Kansas. Ralph was raised on farm countryside outside of Wichita. At age 17 he joined the U.S. Army and served in the military campaign in the South Pacific during World War II. After witnessing General MacArthur’s famous return to the Philippines, Ralph was a decorated U.S. Veteran. He returned home to complete his college education under the G.I. Bill. He also fell in love with lovely Maria, and the two were married in 1949. They headed west to Orange County, California to begin their new life. As a salesman and manager of an appliance company, He and Maria enrolled their five children in Catholic elementary and high schools. All of the Luévano children have University educations or successful business careers.

Ralph Luévano succumbed to cancer in July of 1983. As a fitting legacy, the Luévano family requested donations for the educational needs of Latino children. This simple request captured the hearts and imaginations of the community of St. Joachim’s Catholic Church. There, Father Rafael Luévano, Ralph’s son, served as a Roman Catholic priest. The St. Joachim’s Latino community saw Ralph Luévano as a role model of acculturation. They were touched by his generosity and inspired by his educational achievements for himself and his family. Maria Luévano passed away in April of 2007.

Since 1983, annual scholarships have been awarded to children who have demonstrated economic need and academic potential. The Foundation has simultaneously nurtured an endowment, which now totals over $300,000. To date The Foundation has awarded 198 scholarships to Latino children attending Orange County Catholic Schools.

In the mid 90’s, The Luévano Foundation joined forces with other like philanthropic efforts in Orange County by becoming a sub-fund of the Hispanic Educational Endowment Fund (HEEF).

In 2004, the Luévano Foundation made a four-year pledge to the Southern California Children’s Scholarship Fund, in an effort to increase the opportunities for Latino children wishing to attend Catholic Elementary schools in Orange County.

The Luévano Foundation is a fund of the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF). OCCF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Federal ID number 33-0378778. Contributions to this fund are charitable tax deductions within the limits of federal law.