Pioneering Access
The Plexuss Foundation Discovery Project
The Plexuss Foundation was born from a bold vision: to dismantle barriers to higher education by providing no-cost college counseling, mentorship, and scholarship guidance to underserved students. The discovery project evolved into a a tactical transformative initiative—fueled by strategic partnerships and a commitment to equity.
Mary Matusz led the charge, leveraging her deep relationships with global philanthropic leaders to secure early interest and investments from the IKEA Foundation, Danone, and the Ford Foundation. Her work laid the groundwork for the Foundation’s sponsorship strategy and CRM infrastructure, ensuring sustainable funding and scalable impact. From prospecting to program design, Mary’s leadership turned possibility into a tactical roadmap—proving that education can be a force for empowerment, not exclusion. Ultimately the Plexuss Executive Team made the key decision to put the Plexuss Foundation on pause to prioritize technology development to support the SaaS platform..
Securing 6-Figure Gifts & Global Partnerships
"Mary Matusz has a proven track record of driving transformational philanthropy, from her board tenure at Heal The Bay to her role as the Fractional Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Ra Ma Foundation, where she secured 6 figure - corporate sponsorships and major gifts. At The Plexuss Foundation, she expertly stewarded partnerships with global donors like IKEA and the Ford Foundation, funding education technology initiatives for underserved students. Her strategic leadership bridges mission-driven impact with sustainable revenue growth, making her a powerhouse in high-impact fundraising."
Fractional Director of Strategic Partnerships and Major Giving
Under the visionary leadership of Katie Grigat (Guru Jagat), the Ra Ma Foundation transformed lives by bridging gaps in health, wellness, and nutrition—bringing nourishing meals and holistic support to underserved communities.
The RaMa Foundation spanned the US and EU with various outdoor adventure retreats and initiatives on Mallorca, Tibet, Joshu Tree, Malibu, The Redwood Forest, and Costa Rica.
Through scholarships, community yoga programs, and wellness workshops, the Foundation empowered over 1,500 individuals across the U.S. and Europe. Its crown jewel, Ra Ma East in Los Angeles, served as a sanctuary where meditation and wholesome food were accessible to all, without cost barriers.
As Fractional Director of Fundraising, Mary Matusz elevated this impact, securing six-figure gifts from high-net-worth individuals and corporate sponsors. She fostered a deeper giving community through curated wellness retreats in turning philanthropy into transformative experiences.
Though the Foundation shifted directions in 2020 and completely shuttered after Katie's passing in 2021, its legacy endures in the communities it uplifted—equipping them with nourishment, wellness tools, and resilience to thrive against adversity.
Private Gifts Board Member
As an advocate for environmental preservation and an avid surfer, Mary brought more than fundraising expertise to Heal the Bay's board—she brought a surfer's deep respect for coastal ecosystems and a philanthropist's determination to protect them.
During her six-year (2010-2016) tenure, she:
• Cultivated meaningful relationships that converted environmental passion into action, personally securing six-figure gifts annually from fellow ocean stewards
• Elevated the Bring Back the Beach gala into a movement, growing major donor participation by 40% through authentic storytelling that connected funders to tidal impact
• Built sustainable funding pipelines by matching corporate partners' values to conservation needs, creating multi-year commitments that outlasted her board service
Mary's approach was never transactional. She listened first—to the waves, to scientists, to donors—then crafted opportunities for others to make a difference. The result? A legacy of seven-figure support for clean water initiatives that continues making waves today.