The Small Difference Foundation was founded by Deborah and Edward Koehler, inspired by their belief that individual initiative—even small actions—can spark meaningful change in a young person’s life. Their vision centers on recognizing youth who take positive action in their communities and supporting organizations that nurture wellbeing, creativity, and educational opportunity.
The foundation’s name honors the legacy of their close friend and mentor, Raymond Plank, a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and founder of Apache Corporation. Raymond devoted his life to the idea that one person’s small effort can create lasting impact. His philosophy was simple but ambitious: seek new and innovative ways to make a small difference to benefit others.
Raymond’s commitment to personal initiative shaped every part of his life. From a young age, he challenged himself with disciplined habits for self-improvement. As a lifelong learner, he set a personal goal to read 10,000 pages every year, believing that curiosity and continuous learning were essential to personal growth. His dedication to self-driven development helped him build Apache Corporation into a public company with a market value of $50 billion at his retirement in 2009.
Beyond his business achievements, Raymond was known for his generosity, mentorship, and belief in the potential of individuals—especially young people. He encouraged the Koehlers to make their own “small difference,” a challenge that ultimately inspired the creation of the Small Difference Foundation. His message was clear: early encouragement and personal discipline can shape youth for a lifetime.
