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Our Story
The Dominguez Dream in Memory of
H. Frank Dominguez
My late father, H. Frank Dominguez, was a lifelong learner and a firm believer in education. In 1991, he attended my brother's law school graduation from Notre Dame University where former US Olympic Committee Chair Peter Ueberroth challenged the graduating class to give back to their local elementary schools. Reflecting on his own struggles and successes, my father reached out to his former grammar school, Burbank Elementary. Being mindful that many parents were not scheduling parent-teacher conferences, he provided food baskets to families of students as an incentive to increase parent involvement in their children’s education. He encouraged countless students to do well in school, to dream big and to reach for success. Today, there is an H. Frank Dominguez Elementary School in San Bernardino in his honor.
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My father was one of the area’s most successful business leaders and the same passion he had for his businesses he also had for giving back to his community. He strongly felt that the only way to make the world better was to give back and help others less fortunate, especially when it came to the education of youth. He was a leader and role model in our lives. Near the end of his life, he stated that his success could only be measured by how much he gave back in education. The generous and kindhearted man I knew and loved passed away in January 2004.
To continue carrying out his vision of giving back, I formed The Vanir Foundation in Memory of H. Frank Dominguez in February 2004. In 2016, the Vanir Foundation changed its name to The Dominguez Dream in Memory of H. Frank Dominguez. My father's legacy continues to be vivid through The Dominguez Dream by sparking aspirations, much like the ones he had as a child -- to give the minds of children the ability to dream and plan for a better future. He believed that education was the key to improving the quality of life for all.
The Dominguez Family
About H. Frank Dominguez
Mr. Dominguez maintained a business and personal philosophy of benefiting communities where Vanir developed projects and where Vanir employees live and work. He was involved in numerous community activities and projects, with a special emphasis in assisting disadvantaged schools and underprivileged youth through scholarships, work programs and financial support.
In June 2004, the New America Alliance (NAA) honored H. Frank Dominguez posthumously by awarding him their Lifetime Achievement Award in Philanthropy. NAA also renamed their annual award recognizing philanthropy “The H. Frank Dominguez Philanthropist of the Year Award,” in honor of the late NAA founding board member.
Furthermore, Mr. Dominguez's philanthropic efforts have been recognized by numerous publications and organizations through personal letters and formal resolutions, most notably by George W. Bush, former President of the United States, Cruz M. Bustamante, former Lieutenant Governor of the State of California and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Dominguez passed away on January 8, 2004. He touched many lives throughout the years with his hard work, vision, generosity and compassion. His employees, associates, friends and family are deeply grateful for having shared life's journey with him. The Dominguez Dream serves as a tribute to his accomplishments and steadfast willingness to assist those in need.
H. Frank Dominguez founded the Vanir Group of Companies at the age of 25 in San Bernardino, California. Since then, the Vanir Companies have been leaders in the fields of real estate development, construction and construction management, with 17 offices across the United States.
Mr. Dominguez was widely recognized for his business and community leadership, including selection by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as Hispanic Businessman of the Year; appointment by the Governor to the California Commission for Economic Development; service on advisory councils and committees for many former US Presidents; service as a two-term board member of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF); and founding board member of the New America Alliance, an economic development and philanthropic organization comprised primarily of nationally-prominent Hispanic business leaders.