24th Annual National Philanthropy Day

Dallas, TX – Oct. 8, 2009 – The Greater Dallas Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals, with presenting partner Communities Foundation of Texas, proud partners in philanthropy, will honor the 2009 National Philanthropy Day Award Recipients on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the 24th Annual NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY AWARDS LUNCHEON, Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion, Landmark Ballroom, 300 Reunion Boulevard, Dallas. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with the luncheon from 12–1:30 p.m.

Seven award categories honor those in the community who exemplify commitment, dedication, and talent toward helping their neighbors. This year’s winners are Mary and Mike Terry for Outstanding Philanthropist(s); Mayor Laura Wheat, Town of Westlake, for Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser; Embrey Family Foundation for Outstanding Foundation; Dean Foods for Outstanding Corporation; JoLynne Jensen, CFRE, for Outstanding Fundraising Executive; Matthew Willis for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy; and CREW Dallas (Commercial Real Estate Women) for Outstanding Philanthropic Organization.

This year’s Outstanding Philanthropists, Mary and Mike Terry, are civic and philanthropic leaders whose foundation, The Mike and Mary Terry Foundation, established in 2006, has been dedicated to investing in Dallas-area initiatives designed to make an impact in the lives of children. By providing equal opportunities for all children, advancing youth through education, ensuring a haven for those in need, and supporting the arts and many other social programs, the Terrys have greatly impacted the quality of life for North Texans. Both serve in numerous leadership roles on Dallas boards and have given generously of the time and support to Jesuit College Preparatory School, among many others.

Mayor Laura Wheat, Town of Westlake, will receive this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award, sponsored by the Dini Partners. Wheat’s leadership can be seen across the globe, in her work with Gilda’s Club, where she has served as chair of nonprofit’s worldwide board and most recently as co-chair of the board of The Wellness Community/Gilda’s Club Worldwide. Locally, she has been a board member and past president of Gilda’s Club North Texas, helping to bring the national program to Texas and chairing its initial $4.4 million capital campaign. She has been active on numerous boards and with organizations across the metroplex such as Ronald McDonald House and St. Phillip’s School and Community Center, and she is currently a board member of the UT/Southwestern Medical Foundation, Komen Advocacy Alliance, and Baylor Regional Medical Center – Grapevine. In her role as Mayor of Westlake, Wheat also serves as president of the board of trustees of Westlake Academy, where she has been an active fundraiser, chairing a $5 million campaign to build an Arts and Sciences Center for the Academy, which opened in August. Wheat has received numerous honors including recognition in 2003 for Volunteer Service by President George Bush.

The Embrey Family Foundation, named this year’s Outstanding Foundation, has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening and improving North Texas by supporting over 160 endeavors within their primary categories of human services, human rights, arts and culture, education, the environment and animal services. Some of the largest support has been given to The Dallas Women’s Foundation, the Human Rights Education Program at Southern Methodist University (SMU), Big Thought, and Education is Freedom.

Dean Foods, one of the nation’s leading food and beverage companies, will receive the Outstanding Corporation award, sponsored by Constant Contact. Supporting numerous nonprofit organizations on a national and local level, Dean Foods’ primary philanthropic efforts have been aimed at teaching young children about proper nutrition, the important of a proper diet, and maintaining healthy weight. Locally, the company has provided support including donations of product and employee time to nonprofits such as Children’s Medical Center, the North Texas Food Bank, the Visiting Nurse Association, the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Latino Cultural Center, and Mi Escuelita Preschool.

JoLynne Jensen, CFRE, will receive the Outstanding Fundraising Executive award, sponsored by Brigham Hill Consultancy. Jensen’s fundraising career spans more than 20 years, during which she has held positions of increasing responsibility for the Dallas Symphony Association and has built the endowment to over $100 million among other accomplishments. As the first executive director of Booker T. Washington High School Advisory Board, she established a new advisory board as a separate entity to facilitate a successful $34 million campaign for the renovation and expansion of the school. Jensen served as the campaign’s driving force, raising the largest amount ever donated for a public high school in the country. She has provided pro-bono fund-raising advice to nonprofit leaders, served as a mentor to many, and been an active member and leader of the Association of Fundraising Professionals since 1982.

Matthew Willis is the recipient of the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award (ages 5-23). Between the ages of 9-14 Willis raised more than $71,000 in the “Links Fore Leukemia” Golf Tournament sponsored by the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The tournament was co-founded by Jim Willis, Matthew’s dad, who lost his battle with cancer 45 days after the inaugural tournament, when Matthew as 2 years old. Willis sees the tournament as a way to connect with his father whom he can only remember through pictures. He has also been honored by the LLS Society with the Spirit of Tom Landry Character Award; by Representative Linda Harper Brown at the Capitol before the Texas House of Representatives; and by Kohl’s Department Stores as a “Kids Who Care” Store level winner. A sophomore at the Parish Episcopal School, Willis is active in his church and in Boy Scouts of America, where he is currently working to become an Eagle Scout.

Known and highly respected for 25 years of selfless service to the Greater Dallas community, CREW Dallas (Commercial Real Estate Women) has been named the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization. Through proceeds of The Classic golf tournament, founded in 1986, CREW in the Community (the 501 (c)(3) of CREW Dallas) has donated proceeds of nearly $2.5 million to local nonprofit organizations whose mission is to improve the lives of women and girls in the community. Grant monies support the Dallas Women’s Foundation and UT Southwestern Medical Center, funding research and medical programs for serious women’s health issues or providing services to help girls and women realize their full potential. Project funding ranges from research for heart disease in women to a unique, long-term transitional living program at Our Friends Place, helping indigent young women become financially independent and self-sufficient.

“The Greater Dallas Chapter of The Association of Fundraising Professionals is proud to present and pay tribute to these outstanding individuals who have exhibited such incredible civic and charitable stewardship,” said Cheryl Reynolds, National Philanthropy Day Chair. “Without question, such philanthropic efforts play a critical role in our society, providing much needed funds every year, encouraging civic participation, and improving the quality of life for all people. These seven award recipients are an inspiration to so many in the community and beyond.”

The Greater Dallas Chapter of AFP was among the first to begin celebrating National Philanthropy Day in 1981. Today, the luncheon involves over 700 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 36,000 individuals in celebrating philanthropy each year.

The National Philanthropy Day Luncheon VIP Reception is sponsored by the Parkland Foundation.

Luncheon tickets are $75 each, $750 for a table of 10, or $1,000 for a premium table of 10. Visit afpdallas.org or contact Madeleine Crouch at 972-233-9107, ext. 204, afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org.
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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 26,000 members in 172 chapters throughout the world. Visit afpdallas.org, call 214-354-8742, or email afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org.