Westminster CARES Foundation Launches with Transformational $1 Million Pledge from Austin Philanthropists Dick and Sara Rathgeber.

New Foundation Will Support Seniors and Adults with Disabilities Across Texas Through Grants, Resources, and Person-Centered Initiatives

AUSTIN, Texas — June 22, 2026 — The newly established Westminster CARES Foundation has launched with a transformational $1 million pledge from longtime Austin philanthropists Dick and Sara Rathgeber, helping establish a new initiative dedicated to supporting seniors and adults with disabilities throughout Texas.

The Foundation was established by Westminster Senior Living, an Austin-based senior living community that has operated under its person-centered care philosophy for nearly 18 years. CARES, an acronym for Centered Around Resident Empowered Services, reflects the belief that every older adult deserves dignity, choice, and meaningful connection.

Created to advance programs, partnerships, and resources that improve quality of life and strengthen support systems for aging adults and individuals living with disabilities, the Foundation will provide grants, education, consulting, equipment, and other resources to organizations serving vulnerable populations throughout Texas.

Priority will be given to programs aligned with Texas Culture Change initiatives and Westminster’s person-centered model of care.

“We are deeply honored and grateful for Dick and Sara Rathgeber’s extraordinary generosity and belief in our mission,” said Charles Borst, Co Founder and CEO of the Westminster CARES Foundation.

“Their leadership gift will help us create meaningful impact for seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and underserved populations across Texas. Their pledge doesn’t just launch our Foundation; it sets the standard for what’s possible. Because of their generosity, we can continue making a real difference in the lives of seniors across Texas who need support.”

The Rathgebers are widely recognized throughout the Austin area for their longstanding philanthropic leadership and commitment to strengthening the community through charitable giving and civic engagement.

For decades, Dick Rathgeber has played a pivotal role in advancing the mission of The Salvation Army in Central Texas, serving in both local and national leadership capacities and helping spearhead transformational initiatives to expand services for those most in need. His generosity and vision helped make possible the development of critical shelter infrastructure in Austin—including significant land and financial contributions that paved the way for expanded facilities serving families experiencing homelessness—most notably the Salvation Army Rathgeber Center for Families, which now provides comprehensive housing and support services.

In recognition of his extraordinary impact, Rathgeber has received some of the organization’s highest honors, including being named the first Honorary Colonel in Texas, one of the rarest distinctions awarded by the Salvation Army worldwide. Alongside his wife, Sara, he has dedicated decades to giving both time and resources to causes that uplift vulnerable populations, setting a lasting example of philanthropy, leadership, and community impact across Austin and beyond.

“We believe deeply in giving back and helping others,” said Dick and Sara Rathgeber. “The Westminster CARES Foundation reflects values that are incredibly important to us: dignity, compassion, community, and supporting people who may otherwise feel overlooked or isolated. We are proud to help launch this effort and look forward to seeing the lives it impacts throughout Texas.”

Among the many organizations the Foundation intends to support are Meals on Wheels Central Texas, Alzheimer’s Texas, Family Eldercare, and the Texas Culture Change Coalition, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to transforming long-term care through person-centered principles.

For more information or to make a gift, visit Westminster CARES Foundation or contact Charles Borst at [email protected] or 512-454-4711.

About the Westminster CARES Foundation

The Westminster CARES Foundation advances effective solutions that benefit seniors and people living with disabilities across Texas. Through grants, education, and resources, the Foundation fosters social connection, promotes independence, and supports communities built around dignity
and person-centered care. The Westminster CARES Foundation is structured as a 509(a)(1) supporting organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Donations are tax-deductible.