The Greater Dallas Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) will host the 31st annual luncheon “Creating Our Future,” celebrating Dallas’ National Philanthropy Day – bringing together area nonprofits, volunteers, funders, foundations, business and community members to honor many of this city’s finest who give selflessly in support of numerous worthy causes – on Friday, November 18, 2016, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Dallas, Landmark Ballroom.
“National Philanthropy Day is a special day set aside in November to recognize the great contributions of philanthropy—and those people active in the philanthropic community—to the enrichment of our world,” said Luncheon Chair Tara Judd Longley. “We are so blessed to live in a city that is truly driven by philanthropy, civic-mindedness, and volunteerism. This is Dallas’ day to honor a handful of those outstanding community members who have demonstrated extraordinary compassion and service to others.”
The 31st annual luncheon will be emceed by longtime supporter Scott Murray, whose company Murray Media has partnered with AFP this year as presenting sponsor, producing luncheon videos featuring the accomplishments of each award recipient.
Luncheon Chair Tara Judd Longley, CFRE, CPECP, announces the 2016 award recipients:
For over 50 years, Outstanding Philanthropist Mike A. Myers, jointly nominated by Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) and the Parkland Foundation, has consistently made significant contributions, focusing on education and health care. He established the LeCroy Scholarship program at DCCCD, benefiting over 225 recipients by providing full tuition and books and serving as a mentor to many. To date his gifts to DCCCD total nearly $500,000, including a gift of $110,000 to launch the Rising Star Program, enabling any Dallas County high school graduate with at least a 3.0 GPA and economic need to attend DCCCD. He donated $1 million to build Parkland’s Ambulatory Surgery Center and $5.1 million to the “I Stand for Parkland” campaign, for which the sky bridge bearing his name was dedicated. Additionally, Myers and his wife Sammye donated $1 million to the Southwestern Medical Foundation for medical research. He has been recognized as DFW “Entrepreneur of the Year” and is a 2008 inductee into the Texas Business Hall of Fame. An alumnus of The University of Texas, Myers is a strong supporter of education and athletics at UT. He is co-founder of the Foundation for Texas Excellence Scholars and served as president of the Texas Longhorn Education Foundation. He is a member of UT’s McCombs Business School Hall of Fame, a UT Distinguished Alumnus honoree and a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Citation award. Presently he is director of the Texas Interscholastic League Foundation and Trustee Emeritus for the UT School of Law Foundation. Mike Myers embodies the word “philanthropist,” demonstrating a deep commitment to meeting pressing needs at both individual and institutional levels.
Outstanding Corporation Bank of America, nominated by David Krause/Parkland Foundation, is one of the largest corporate donors in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Working to connect communities to better economic futures, Bank of America focuses its giving on jobs, housing, and basic human services. Recent gifts include $1 million to Parkland Health & Hospital System; $1.5 million raised by Bank of America employees for United Ways in North Texas; and $2.5 million to the George W. Bush Institute to support veterans, women’s empowerment and leadership development, and global health initiatives. Additionally, Bank of America provided 417 abandoned homes in Texas to nonprofits to support neighborhood stabilization, housing for wounded veterans and first responders and to provide economic stability for lower income families in need. More than $7.2 million has been provided to 36 local nonprofits in unrestricted funding through Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders program, helping nonprofits better meet needs in local communities since 2004. Bank of America encourages employees to give back by providing two hours a week of paid time off to volunteer at a nonprofit of their choosing; matching employee giving up to $5,000 annually; and encouraging involvement on boards and in the community. In 2015, Bank of America provided more than $200 million in global philanthropic investments to more than 3,000 nonprofits, including cash giving and in-kind donations. They have tracked more than $1.3 billion in giving toward their 10-year, $2 billion philanthropic goal established in 2009. In addition to direct giving, Bank of America programs connect customers and employees to meaningful issues, expanding upon their philanthropic partnerships to leverage the full capabilities of the company.
For nearly 59 years,this year’s Outstanding Foundation The Theodore and Beulah Beasley Foundation, nominated by Texas Health Resources Foundation, has committed generous resources to Dallas and North Texas institutions with a special focus on supporting health, security and learning opportunities for the community’s most vulnerable residents. One of Theodore Beasley’s early interests was the building of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. He served on its board for three years prior to its building, and as head of the group’s fundraising, he secured actress Greer Garson to speak at the campaign kickoff luncheon at the Adolphus. Today The Beasley Foundation remains active with Texas Health Dallas with its support of the Texas Health Minimally Invasive Technology Center, facilitating training and research opportunities, as well as with the creation of the hospital’s Beasley Conference Center. As the lead donor of the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) ReThinkHunger campaign, the foundation supports hunger-relief solutions to decrease food insecurity in North Texas by 2025. The foundation’s gifts have provided North Texans with access to an estimated 675,000 meals; including support of the Food4Kids Backpack program ensuring kids do not go hungry at home. Additionally, a lead gift to Parish Episcopal School helped develop the Beasley Hillcrest STEM Center, a 14,000 sq. ft. space for Pre-K to 12th grade STEM education, and spurred additional philanthropic support. The Beasley Foundation’s impact is evident through many buildings and public spaces that dot the Dallas landscape, and it is felt by the thousands of individuals and families who access educational, health, and arts and cultural institutions supported by the foundation.
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Holly Mayer, nominated by The Dallas Opera, has worked behind the scenes for decades to build Dallas’ vibrant cultural community, devoting countless volunteer hours to organizations. Her philanthropy and leadership have served the Dallas Arboretum, The Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Theater Center, and Alcuin School of Dallas. She served on The Dallas Opera Board of Directors for 26 years and as vice president of development for 13, helping The Opera achieve a 50 percent increase in annual giving over a two-year period. Always the first to come forward with a gift, she would then ask others to join her and her husband Tom in the effort. During one of the most dramatic economic downturns in the nation’s history, she raised funds for administrative offices in the Winspear ($5.2 million); 50th anniversary activities ($3.1 million); the move into the opera house ($1 million); and the endowment ($20 million). On the national stage, Mayer serves as an Ambassador for OPERA America, the national service organization for the opera. She is the recipient of the 2014 TACA Silver Cup Award and has also been recognized with Georgetown University’s Patrick Healy Award, the highest honor bestowed by the alumni association on distinguished individuals who are not alumni. Dedicating herself to the school following the enrollment of her children, Kano and Maile, Mayer was cited for her efforts supporting the School of Nursing and Health Studies. She served on its Board of Visitors for seven years and as chair for the last three. In addition to her service in the community, Mayer is executive director/president of Productive Rehabilitation Institute of Dallas for Ergonomics (PRIDE), which she co-founded with her husband.
Outstanding Fundraising Executive Jim Lewis, nominated by Milton Key, has 33 years of fundraising experience. During his first full year as vice president for advancement at Texas Wesleyan University, fundraising exceeded the three previous years combined, and the number of alumni donors increased by 30 percent. Lewis previously served in this same position at Big Brothers Big Sisters, Lone Star; The University of Texas at Arlington, where he quadrupled fundraising, and the university received national recognition as one of the two most improved public university fundraising programs in the country; Austin College; and Millsaps College. He began his fundraising career at Southern Methodist University. To date, Lewis has led organizations that have raised a combined total in excess of $300 million, including the two largestgifts in history of UTA and the largest in the history of Austin College and Millsaps College. He has mentored many fundraising professionals, including nine who have gone on to serve as vice presidents over their own programs, and been a member of the AFP for 28 years, also serving as a former AFP national board member. Lewis has held a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation for 25 years and served on the CFRE faculty. For 30 years he has been an active leader on the Council for the Support and Advancement of Education (CASE). He and his late wife, Cheryl, sponsored several scholarships over the years, and endowed a music scholarship in Cheryl’s name at Arkansas Tech University, her undergraduate alma mater.
Outstanding Youths in Philanthropy the Garage Sale Girls, nominated by the American Cancer Society, demonstrate the creativity and philanthropic spirit of childhood friends who turned difficult times into a way to help others. From 2011-2015, Kristin Lee, Cailee Dennis, Stefanie Doyle, and Anna Elkin, of Lewisville, have organized annual garage sales, raising a combined total of $90,000 to benefit cancer research at the American Cancer Society. It all began when the girls, now freshmen in college, were just 12 years old. Lee’s dad was diagnosed with head and neck Neuroblastoma; within a year, Doyle’s mom died of lung cancer five weeks after her diagnosis; and Dennis learned that her mom had ovarian cancer. Instantly, these three friends had a much greater bond. When Lee learned of her father’s diagnosis, she wanted to do something significant and beneficial to help. She worked with her mother, Susan, to organize the fundraiser, which was held in the family’s garage the first two years. The girls became so well known that donations were dropped off on the Lee family porch all year, and they had to secure donated storage spaces to keep the items. On the third year of the sale, Castle Hills provided its community center, and an even bigger space was donated the following two years with the help of friends, family, and community. The girls recruit more than 50 volunteers each year and have been highlighted in various local media. In 2013, they were featured in the American Cancer Society’s 100 Stories in 100 Days special section of cancer.org to celebrate the Society’s 100th birthday. They also participate in American Cancer Society events and serve as an example for other students who want to give back.
"We are excited to present and pay tribute to these outstanding individuals and organizations that positively impact our community through their leadership, vision and generosity,” emphasized Longley, Dallas National Philanthropy Day Chair. “Come and be inspired by this amazing group of recipients.”
The Greater Dallas Chapter of AFP was among the first to begin celebrating National Philanthropy Day in 1981. Today, over 500 attend the luncheon which includes AFP members and community leaders. National Philanthropy Day celebrates the great contributions philanthropy, and those who work in the philanthropic process, make to our community. AFP Chapters involve more than 28,000 individuals in celebrating philanthropy each year.
South Texas Money Management is the Diamond level sponsor. Luncheon tickets are $95. For tickets and sponsorships, visit afpdallas.orgorcontactMadeleine Crouch at 972-233-9107, ext. 204, afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), an individual member association, advances philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs. AFP members and affiliates enable people and organizations to better serve diverse communities and society as a whole. AFP represents 28,248 members in 172 chapters throughout the world. Visit afpdallas.org, call 214-354-8742, or email afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org.