The Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Cincinnati has announced this year’s slate of honorees for National Philanthropy Day, celebrated each November. Philanthropist of the Year: Brad Lindner, retired president/CEO of United Dairy Farmers. Nominated by Keep Cincinnati Beautiful. Volunteer of…
“You know, I’ve been very lucky in my life. My father emigrated from Lithuania in 1904. He had witnessed pogroms … Had my father’s parents not made the incredibly bold decision to come to America … he almost certainly would have died in a concentration camp. Instead, I get to live the American dream.”
“Selling merchandise was all about earning income to offset an existing expense…” And that’s how the savvy businesswoman began to build a reputation as the go-to person if an organization needed to raise money. Many did in the years that followed. And quite a few had Weyand on speed dial.
Zach McGinty was raised in a very philanthropic family. He understands more than an average young person because he’s now working in the field. It’s more than just volunteering for him. He wanted to be in the philanthropic space and support a nonprofit with his talents.
The excitement is hard to miss. Students dash between cases stacked with colorful books, eyes lighting up as they select titles at their free school book fair. For many, these books will become the first volumes in a personal library – 10 books each year, enough to generate a love of reading and boost school testing scores.
Impact 100 was born in Cincinnati in 2001, when local philanthropist Wendy H. Steele rallied a handful of women to pool their resources for bigger impact. There are now 75 chapters worldwide. The Cincinnati chapter has grown to about 420 members who have awarded more than $7.7M to 64 nonprofits.
Jim Yunker’s office offers a window into his lifetime of achievement in philanthropy. There’s a framed menu from a luncheon celebrating a $72 million campaign for Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Charming animal photos from a campaign brochure for Capital Humane Society in Lincoln, Nebraska, a vase from the Giving USA Foundation.
The Cincinnati chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will honor individuals and organizations for outstanding community service at a luncheon scheduled for Nov. 20 in the Music Hall Ballroom, including Dianne Rosenberg and J. David Rosenberg, Philantropists of the Year.
Sherie Marek traces her philanthropic spirit, evidenced through decades of giving both her time and treasure, to her youth. They “were very poor and struggled” to achieve their dreams. Years later, when her means changed, Marek was eager to give back in a larger way.
Pam Weber’s story – true to form for a National Philanthropy Day Volunteer of the Year – is largely about giving. But her story is also about receiving – the good that can happen when a giver stops giving, sets ego aside and accepts help from others.
