Philanthropy – (noun, gr. philos love, anthros man) – love of fellow man.
Yesterday was National Philanthropy Day in Occidental Carolina Norde. Here is a little bit about the various awardees at the luncheon sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
In nominating Johnson, Price & Sprinkle, Certified Public Accountants for Outstanding Business in Philanthropy, Sharon Owen of Sisters of Mercy Services stated that the accountants of JPS “walk the talk” of their mission statement which states, in part “improving the financial lives of our clients while strengthening our community”. This firm, which has been serving our region for over 50 years, has supported and built three Habitat for Humanity homes, has been instrumental in establishing the family business forums at UNC Asheville, Appalachian State, and several area Chambers of Commerce. These forums work to ensure the successful transition of family businesses from one generation to the next. In addition, members of the firm have given their time, expertise, and financial support to over 45 organizations in Western North Carolina. We are grateful to honor Johnson, Price & Sprinkle as this year’s Outstanding Business in Philanthropy.
Marcia Whitney, Executive Director of the Louis Rathbun Center, calls the Mission Healthcare Foundation “a rare gem among foundations and a leader in its field. It is extraordinarily generous, creative, involved, consistent, and, most importantly, committed to helping the programs it funds to achieve their missions.” In our region, the Foundation is one of four partners in establishing WNC Nonprofit Pathways, and it actively collaborates with other charities such as the Rathbun Center, the YWCA, Meals on Wheels, and Arts for Life. The Mission Healthcare Foundation has been instrumental in establishing the first Children’s Hospital west of Charlotte and sponsors two Toothbuses which bring dental care to children in over 60 elementary schools located in rural mountain areas. The Foundation’s support of area EMS and Trauma services as well as establishing a helicopter ambulance service in based in Franklin has saved numerous lives by dramatically reducing transportation times. The Mission Foundation works to bring national philanthropic resources into Western North Carolina while serving as a training ground for volunteer leadership through its Board of Directors and Mission Ambassadors programs. Because of these and many other exemplary programs, we are honored to recognize the Mission Healthcare Foundation as this year’s Outstanding Foundation or Organization in Philanthropy.
Anyone who has had even a minimum of involvement with a United Way campaign knows that the Loaned Executives are the essential “boots on the ground” for a successful campaign. And while the LEs play a critical role with small reward, there is one individual, the Pacesetter Chair, whose work in leading the Loaned Executives is crucial, but often never publicly recognized. Dick Allen has not only been an LE on numerous occasions, he has served as Pacesetter Chair not once, not twice, but three times and led teams that were responsible for raising nearly $11 million in campaign contributions. As United Way President David Bailey said, “[Dick] has helped to train, supervise, babysit, inspire, cajole, and been a model for this group of novice volunteer fundraisers who sometimes knew little about United Way and nothing about asking people for money. Dick’s attitude also produced long term effects. Through his LE classes, outstanding ambassadors were created.” His impact has extended to Haywood County where he trained Loaned Executives from 1995 to 2005. Those LEs have raised over $3 million in their communities. This year, Dick agreed to chair the retiree division despite the challenging economic climate because he felt the need was greater now than ever before. In order to make his goal, Dick organized an effort to call over 800 retirees in the last month. He’s 80% of the way there, and on track to surpass last year’s total despite all that we have experienced economically. David Bailey says that, “In 1996, when our United Way was asked to help coordinate the Olympic Torch Run through western North Carolina and Asheville, we had the opportunity to have one volunteer carry the torch. We chose Dick Allen. He represents all the good things about the people of western North Carolina!” We join with the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County in celebrating Richard Allen as the 2009 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser.
The journey to help someone with mental illness often begins with the person’s parents, and as Lisbeth Riis Cooper and Don Cooper witnessed a family member’s struggle through many of the devestating aspects of mental illness they joined the numerous frustrated families who were always left with the pieces and no peace. Drawing on the therapeutic community concepts of Spring Lake Ranch and Gould Farm as well as her own life growing up on a farm in Denmark, Lisbeth envisioned a place of recovery where isolation is replaced by relationship, where the mind, body and spirit are nurtured within nature and where the professionals include even the families on the recovery team. Seeing the determination in her eyes, Don put aside retirement plans to join Lisbeth in making this vision a reality. Their vision and personal example of philanthropy have drawn in many wonderful people and together they have contributed over $25 million to design, build, and endow CooperRiis Healing Farm. The independent non-profit now consists of a multi-site collection of therapeutic communities ranging from rural to urban settings with its main campus situated on an eighty-acre farm beautifully nestled into the mountains near Mill Spring. Since opening in June 2003, CooperRiis has already assisted in the mental health recovery of over 350 residents from around the nation. Beyond the main campus, CooperRiis is opening a new Center in Asheville in January and operates programs in nearby communities which ease the transition of residents into fulfilling independent living, work and educational goals. 80% of the Community Program residents are, in fact, able to achieve their goals. For sharing not only of their resources but of their family’s story and a vision for healing mental illness, the Western North Carolina Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is proud to recognize Don and Lisbeth Cooper as Outstanding Philanthropists for 2009.
Our community is often cited for its spirit of philanthropy, and there is no better illustration of that spirit than its native son John Pfaff. As Director of Institutional Development at Carolina Day School, John has worked for 8 years to welcome alumni from three separate predecessor schools as well as parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, board members, and CDS alumni into the life of the School today. The results of his warmth, creativity, and thorough planning have been increases in every aspect of the School’s fundraising program, from a 30% increase in annual giving to an endowment that is now over $3 million as well as significantly increased rates of participation across the School’s variety of supporters. In support of Carolina Day School’s long-term plan, John has led an effort to secure gifts totaling $10 million as well as 32 acres of land, to complete the first phase of a $14 million campaign. Prior to his tenure at Carolina Day, John served as Executive Director of the St. Joseph’s Foundation and, following the merger of St. Joseph’s and Mission Hospitals, as Vice President of the Mission St. Joseph’s Foundation. His professional success, however, is only a part of John’s leadership as a professional fundraiser. His colleagues describe his kind, patient and encouraging style in mentoring staff who are new to the field. John has worked to elevate the profession as a presenter of numerous educational workshops on a regional, state, and national level. He is a founding member of the Western North Carolina Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals as well as a Past President who has returned to serve the Chapter as an at-large board member. For many of us, John’s greatest gifts are his quick wit and generous spirit. We count on John as one who we can turn to with our questions and concerns, who will listen with compassion and who will respond thoughtfully from his experience. Because he is an example to all of us who practice in the field of philanthropy, this Chapter is honored to make the award for Outstanding Fundraising Executive in 2009 to John Pfaff.
Philanthropy transforms peoples lives, especially those people who make gifts. Being a part of this transformational experience is why I love being a fundraiser.