Wilson and her late husband, Jim, established the Wilson Family Fund of the Clio Community Fund with a gift of IBM stock in 1991. Wilson recommends grants that align with her family’s charitable interests, allowing her to witness the results of her giving during her lifetime.

Her dedication to the Clio community deepened through her ten-year service on the Clio Community Fund Advisory Committee. This role gave Wilson a profound understanding of local organizations and community needs. Trusting the Community Fund process, she established an associated fund advised by the committee.

Wilson’s giving has supported various causes through the Wilson Family Fund of the Clio Community Fund, the Mustang Scholarship for Mott Community College Fund, and the G. Jim and Marlene Wilson Family Fund.

Wilson says that philanthropy and giving back come naturally.

“I don’t know why I give—I just do,” says Wilson. “It feels right, and I love everything in Clio. There’s so much to enjoy, like Clio Cast and Crew and the Clio Amphitheater.”

When it comes to loving Clio, few understand its growth better than Wilson, who has called the city home since 1958. Clio was the place Wilson settled down with her husband, and where all four of her children went to school. Wilson now has nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Her connection to Clio extends beyond her family; Wilson's generosity has left a lasting imprint on the community. The Clio Center for the Arts, Clio Area Youth Sports Complex Advisory Committee, Clio Cast and Crew, Clio Area Fire Authority, and Clio Area Schools are just some of the entities that have benefitted from Wilson's non-endowed donor-advised funds.

Reflecting on her philanthropy, Wilson remarked, “Giving through others, like the Clio Area Community Fund, is what philanthropy is all about. I just want to make this a better community for others to enjoy.”