The Way Family: Preserving the Texas Hill Country
Donor Advised Funds
In the early 2000s, the future of one of the Texas Hill Country’s most treasured natural spaces was uncertain. A developer planned to build homes on the 124 acres that are now known as Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley. Rather than watch the landscape change forever, the Way family stepped forward to help preserve the property and protect access to the land and water that had shaped their family’s connection to the Hill Country for generations.
What began as a single conservation effort grew into a broader commitment to protecting the region’s natural resources, supporting innovative environmental projects, and helping future generations experience the same places that have meant so much to their family. Along the way, the Way family has demonstrated how strategic philanthropy can help solve complex community challenges while creating a lasting legacy.
For families seeking to pass down more than wealth, the Way family offers a powerful example of strategic philanthropy rooted in shared values, long-term planning, and a deep sense of place. Their conservation work in the Texas Hill Country shows how thoughtful charitable planning can protect natural resources, strengthen communities, and preserve a family’s commitment to giving across generations.
A Family Philosophy Rooted in Stewardship
Peter Way comes from a family with a business legacy built on innovation, performance excellence, and continuous improvement. Founded in 1918 in Houston, The Way Companies began as a small refrigeration business. Today, it has grown into one of the nation’s most experienced providers of industrial and commercial HVAC services, maintenance, building automation, and controls.
In addition to being involved with the family business, Peter founded an energy conservation company, CES/Way International, in 1986 focused on helping organizations reduce energy use through practical solutions. His company retrofitted government buildings and facilities with energy-efficient systems, financed the improvements, and was repaid through a share of the resulting energy savings over several years. Some of its CES/Way International’s more memorable projects included upgrades to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in New York.
Peter speaks about how his professional experience reinforced his belief that economic growth and responsible stewardship can go hand in hand. Peter said, “Conserving energy, protecting resources, and finding practical solutions that benefit both people and the environment have long been values that have shaped how I think about business and our responsibility to future generations.”
Many families who inherit or build wealth eventually face a similar question: How do we use our resources in a way that reflects our values and creates lasting impact? For the Way family, conservation became one answer, but the larger lesson is about stewardship, intentionality, and planning beyond a single generation. For strategic thinkers, this philosophy may sound familiar: create impact that has a long-term focus, addresses systems and not only symptoms, and produces multiple positive outcomes.
A Personal Connection to the Hill Country
The Way family’s commitment to conservation is deeply rooted in the Texas Hill Country. “I started coming to Wimberley when I was three to the house built by my grandfather in 1945, where we now spend most of our time,” Peter recalled. “I learned to swim in the Cypress Creek. When my wife, MaryFaye, and I were married in 1969 we bought it and it has been our family’s escape since then.”
That connection inspired action when the family learned about plans to develop land that is now Blue Hole Regional Park. “Around 2002 we discovered that a developer had plans to put 250 lots on the 124 acres that is now Blue Hole Park,” he said. “It was easy to understand what that would do to the area and especially downtown Wimberley.”
The Way family successfully bought the land before it was sold to the developer and formed ‘Friends of Blue Hole’ to raise the funds with the City of Wimberley to turn the land into a public park. Now people of all ages can use and experience Blue Hole Park for many generations to come.
The Way family’s help with the acquisition of the Blue Hole property and partnerships they created to preserve it for public use provided a blueprint for additional conservation projects throughout the region. In 2014, a popular piece of publicly used property called Old Baldy, was put up for sale. Friends who were inspired by the Way family’s success with Blue Hole, helped the City of Wimberley raise funds to purchase the land for use as a public park through the Save Old Baldy Foundation.
Thinking Beyond Traditional Grantmaking
Many donors involved with multi-generational giving think about philanthropy primarily through grants. However, the Way family demonstrates how creative charitable strategies can unlock opportunities that might otherwise be missed. Peter’s son, Scott Way, was inspired by his parents’ giving, sharing, “The success of Blue Hole taught us to trust that even complex deals can get done. In most cases, the first steps in a conservation transaction are big leaps of faith.”
After supporting Blue Hole, the Way family provided funding to The Nature Conservancy supporting the conservation of Sentinel Peak Preserve. Hays County later purchased the land for a community park. The preserve protects habitat for the Golden-cheeked Warbler, a federally listed endangered species, and includes riverfront access along about one mile of a pristine stretch of the Blanco River. The park supports low-impact swimming, recreation, and other activities while maintaining the preserve’s conservation and environmental protection priorities.
Strategic Philanthropy Requires Flexible Tools
Families committed to creating lasting impact often encounter opportunities that do not fit neatly into traditional charitable giving models. For the Way family, their next conservation effort was the Great Springs Project, with Scott leading the family’s involvement. The Great Springs Project seeks to conserve land between Austin and San Antonio, with a focus on the Edwards Aquifer and the life-sustaining waters it supports. In one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S., protecting this green corridor will help create a trail system that connects people to nature and supports community health, active transportation, outdoor recreation, and economic development. Scott shared, “We knew we needed to do something to help Great Springs. We were going to find a solution, but it was the Community Foundation’s quick response and willingness to work creatively that helped it come together in the best way possible.”
In 2021, the Way family worked with Greater Houston Community Foundation to use its donor advised fund as part of a loan structure that helped advance an important conservation effort at a critical moment. Peter shared, “We had never structured a loan through our donor advised fund at the Community Foundation before, but with their guidance, it made a lot of sense for this project in addition to the gifts we made.”
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the focus was on identifying a structure that met both the project’s needs and the family’s charitable objectives. Scott said Greater Houston Community Foundation’s willingness to explore a creative solution was critical. “First and foremost, the Community Foundation didn’t say ‘no’ right off the bat, which is what I expected,” he said. “Instead, the Community Foundation leaned in and provided the guidance and documentation to make it happen.”
For the Way family, strategic philanthropy has helped steward both resources and values across generations. By combining a long-term vision with flexible charitable tools, the family has been able to respond to complex opportunities, support meaningful conservation efforts, and create lasting benefits for the communities and natural spaces they cherish.’
Using Strategic Philanthropy to Move Complex Projects Forward
The Great Springs Project highlights the value of a flexible philanthropic relationship when a time-sensitive opportunity arises. For the Way family, Greater Houston Community Foundation offered a thoughtful sounding board and a practical path forward that aligned with both the project’s needs and the family’s goals.
Peter put it simply: “I have always believed that working with the right group produces better results than going at it alone. That is why we often work with others in our philanthropy.” Scott offered similar advice to donors considering creative charitable solutions: “Go for it. To make meaningful impact, you often have to take risks and think creatively.” For donors navigating complex charitable opportunities, the Community Foundation offers practical guidance and flexibility that can help address the community needs that matter most to you.
Peter summed up the value of the family’s relationship with Greater Houston Community Foundation this way: “We think our partnership with the Community Foundation is one of the ten most important decisions we have made in our lifetime.”
Planning for Generations, Not Years
Another theme that appears repeatedly throughout the Way family’s story of high-impact philanthropy is long-term thinking. Asked what issues feel most urgent for the Hill Country’s future, Peter immediately answered, “We still think the most important issue for the Hill Country is to be sure we save water for future generations.”
That future-focused mindset also shapes the family’s approach to preserving their own Hill Country presence. Peter said, “We think we have properly planned for at least the next three generations to be able to keep and enjoy properties in the Hill Country, and we are constantly thinking and planning three generations ahead.” The same long-term view guides their philanthropy, which is helping protect the region’s land and water for generations to come.
For donors focused on multigenerational giving, this intentional planning reflects a powerful idea: philanthropy is not only about transferring wealth, but also about passing down values, responsibility, and shared purpose. For inheritors and rising-generation donors, that balance is often central: honoring the values that shaped a family’s giving while developing a personal philanthropic voice.
A Changing Hill Country
The family’s focus on water conservation has also reinforced another reality of life in the Hill Country: healthy natural resources and resilient communities are deeply connected. Peter Way’s daughter, Amy Way, reflected on the recent flooding events throughout the region, “They remind us that stewardship is not only about conserving land and water during the good times; it’s also about helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from unexpected challenges.”
For donors committed to the Hill Country’s future, philanthropy can help communities respond after a disaster and invest in long-term resilience. Amy continued, “Philanthropy has an important role to play, not only in meeting immediate needs after a disaster, but also in supporting the long-term resilience of the region.”
Carrying Forward a Family Legacy
The Way family’s commitment to giving continues through the next generation and extends beyond the financial mechanics of supporting a community. Amy recalled, “Philanthropy has been part of our conversation ever since I can remember. My parents always encouraged us to give back in any way, be it time, talent, or money.”
At the same time, Amy recognizes the importance of allowing each generation to shape its own philanthropic identity. “I think it is natural to care about things that your family cares about because you care about them,” she said. “I also acknowledge that I have my own passions that make me who I am.”
For families looking to engage children and grandchildren in giving, she emphasizes participation. “Young adults today are so busy, but if the conversations are there at the family level, and they observe giving in action, it too becomes part of their lexicon,” she said. “Allowing your children, at whatever age, to experience and participate with you is helpful.”
The Way family’s success did not happen overnight. It reflects decades of conversations about values, stewardship, and purpose across multiple generations. Families often need help turning good intentions into a shared direction. Through its Center for Family Philanthropy, Greater Houston Community Foundation helps families clarify values, convene meaningful conversations, engage children and grandchildren, and create family giving plans that reflect both family legacy and individual purpose. The Community Foundation’s philanthropic advising, next-generation donor engagement, youth leadership programs, and support for multigenerational giving help families build and sustain a lasting legacy of generosity.
A Legacy Measured in Generations
When asked what he hopes the Hill Country will look like decades from now, Scott offered a vision rooted in stewardship. “First and foremost, a healthy Cypress Creek and Blanco River that will remain healthy for the next 10 generations. I think of the successful efforts to save Barton Springs in Austin, and I want to see a parallel in Wimberley for our creek and river.”
Amy shared her hope for future generations. “Seeing protected land, healthy rivers, and open spaces that everyone can enjoy is a tremendous gift,” she said. “I hope our family’s giving helps preserve those natural resources so future generations can experience the same beauty and sense of place that make the Hill Country so special.”
For donors thinking about the legacy they want to leave, the Way family’s story shows how strategic, multigenerational philanthropy can protect cherished places today and help future generations steward them tomorrow. If your family is thinking about how to define shared values, engage the next generation, or create a strategic giving plan, Greater Houston Community Foundation can help. Connect with Jennifer Touchet, Vice President of Personal and Family Philanthropy, to explore how your family can build an impactful legacy through purposeful, multigenerational giving.
More Helpful Articles by Greater Houston Community Foundation
- Investing in Futures: Launch of the Houston Opportunity Scholarship
- Choosing Between Donor Advised Fund Providers
- A Legacy Rooted in Humility: Sarah and J.C. Howell
- Philanthropic Estate Planning Checklist
This website is a public resource of general information that is intended, but not promised or guaranteed, to be correct, complete, and up to date. The materials on this website, including all comments and responses to comments, do not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice, and is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, nor should it be considered an invitation for, an attorney-client relationship. The reader should not rely on information provided herein and should always seek the advice of competent legal counsel and/or a tax professional in the reader’s state or jurisdiction. The owner of this website does not intend links on the website to be referrals or endorsements of the linked entities.