The Greater Dallas Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) will host the 33rd annual luncheon “Stories Worth Telling,” 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 9, 2018, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Dallas, Reunion Ballroom.
Rodney D. Bullard, Vice President of Community Affairs for Chick-fil-A, Inc. and Executive Director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation, and author of “Heroes Wanted: Why the World Needs You to Live Your Heart Out” will provide remarks as a special guest at this annual luncheon, which is presented by South Texas Money Management (STMM).
“Dallas citizens are passionate, driven, and generous volunteers and philanthropists, but that’s not enough,” said Jeanie Wyatt, CFA, STMM’s founder and CEO. “We depend on our nonprofits to meet so many of our city’s most basic needs. With over 1,000 nonprofits throughout Dallas, it’s vital that we have a professional organization, like AFP, helping nonprofit fundraising professionals raise more money and do it in effective and ethical ways.”
Luncheon Chair William Bryant announces the 2018 award recipients:
Outstanding Philanthropist Jack Furst, nominated by the Boy Scouts of America, gives his time, talent and treasure quietly and without hesitation to make the world a better place. Furst believes that confidence creates momentum. And, with momentum, all things are possible. He is a big thinker and prefers to engage and lead transformational projects that are youth-centric. Furst often shares, “We are only limited by our creativity and imagination.” He is a Boy Scout and Distinguished Eagle Scout, and it appears his life is a series of ongoing Eagle Scout projects. The Boy Scouts of America national leadership requested Furst lead an effort to find a home for the National Scout Jamboree, a new high adventure base and leadership training center. Furst and other founding donors contributed $400+ million to build it—the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. When Circle Ten Council President, Furst designed a $90 million campaign and gave a large leadership gift. He also endowed the Jack D. Furst Aquatics Base at Camp Constantin. Furst directed Arizona State University’s $85 million campaign to convert the football stadium into a 24/7/365 community union. His vision, leadership, and sizeable gift turned the aspiration into reality. He also created a professorship specializing in private investment at ASU. Furst and his partners endowed a Private Equity Center at The University of Texas at Austin. He was instrumental in creating the Carry the Load National Tour and donated land and a sizable gift to build Cross Timbers Community Church and Liberty Christian School in Argyle. Furst also supports: YMCA, Friends of Dallas Fire-Rescue, National Safety Council, Pure Adventure, Special Olympics International, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, The Salvation Army, Dallas Can Academy, Christian Community Action, North Texas Food Bank, and World Scout Organization. Furst is a distinguished private equity investor and an adjunct professor at The University of North Texas and The University of Texas at Dallas. He serves on numerous corporate boards and advisory councils. Furst is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute, a member of ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business Hall of Fame, and Honorary Mountaineer Brigadier of the West Virginia National Guard. He is a recipient of the Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award, the W.P. Carey School of Business Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, and ASU’s Philanthropist of the Year Award.
“Jack Furst is a philanthropist who leads with his heart and shares his vast experiences, wisdom and personal resources in ways that few will ever match or even attempt to duplicate,” said Bobby B Lyle. “He is a leader that others seek to follow, a man of faith, and a role model for young and old alike.”
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Kaki Hopkins, nominated by the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, has been a dedicated volunteer for almost 40 years for more than 14 organizations – chairing an event a year and often asked to chair the same events multiple times. A supporter herself, she has raised millions of dollars for fundraising events as well as membership drives and campaigns. Additionally, she has held numerous board positions for the organizations she has served, increasing her level of support each year. Organizations that have benefited from her leadership and support include the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Dallas County Medical Society, Dallas Opera, Dallas Theater Center, Les Femmes DuMonde, Leukemia Texas, TACA, Vickery Meadow Learning Center (now called Literacy Achieves), and WRR’s Board of Friends. Over a period of 18 years for the Opera alone, she conceived and created the Junior Opera Guild, Opera 101, the Operattic Sale, the Fall Fair and Follies, Vintage Dallas, and Six Operas/Six Artists. She also created the First Night Gala celebration of opening night at the Opera. For the Arboretum, she reimagined the Arboretum’s Artscape Fine Arts Festival, creating the Great Contributor to Art Award, which was presented at this year’s gala to Martha Stewart. Hopkins is known and well respected for the strength of her committees, the number of people she engages, and the way she works with each committee member. She works tirelessly compiling new ideas and communicating with her committees and prepares detailed notebooks to guide the following chairs. She has held multiple leadership positions and received many honors. Elected to the Board of Opera Volunteers International and honored with their Partner in Excellence Award, Hopkins served as vice president of development for her three-year term. Additionally she served as regional chair of the Southwest Division. She served on the founding board of Chiapas International, which was associated with the Grameen Foundation, where she raised money for women in Central and South America to microfinance their start-up businesses. She and her husband Shelton are the recipients of the Dallas Opera Sweethearts award for the greatest contribution to the Opera Company.
“When considering Kaki’s leadership, the word inaugural comes to mind,” said Sarah Warnecke, community volunteer. “She not only accepts a project, she initiates a new and better one or re-envisions the old one. Meeting goals is not enough for Kaki. She wants to surpass all expectations. The ultimate winner in any Kaki-led endeavor is the organization she serves.”
Outstanding Foundation Joe M. and Doris R. Dealey Family Foundation, nominated by Texas Health Resources, was founded to honor the late Joe and Doris Dealey. Today it carries the family’s philanthropic legacy forward by continuing its support of numerous community organizations and institutions including Texas Health Resources, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Dallas Foundation, Dallas Heritage Village, The Dallas Historical Society, Parkland Foundation, SPCA of Texas, and many more. Doris Dealey was instrumental in funding the employee child care center of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas with a $2 million gift in honor of her late husband, which has played a key role in the hospital’s success in recruiting and retaining doctors, nurses, and professional staff. The Dealey Foundation has also supported innovative, multidisciplinary, patient-centered care to victims of sexual assault and abuse through Texas Health Resources Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program. Additionally, it has provided a challenge grant to grow the SANE Program across a 16-county region making it one of the largest sexual assault treatment programs in the United States. Joe M. Dealey Sr. was a third generation member of a pioneer Texas newspaper family that founded The Dallas Morning News in 1885, and he was the former chairman and chief executive officer of the A.H. Belo Corporation and president of The Dallas Morning News. One of the key participants in establishing the G.B. Dealey Foundation, Dealey helped lead the foundation to grow to almost $22 million in assets, making grants to 152 charitable organizations. Today Dealey’s children and grandchildren make individual grants in the name of the Dealey Family Foundation from annual stipends they receive. For 21 years, the Dallas Public Library’s poetry competition, which was established by the family to perpetuate Joe M. Dealey Sr.’s memory and his passion for language and self-expression, has inspired creativity of young people in Dallas. Additionally, the Dealey Family made a lead gift to construct a memorial garden in honor of President John F. Kennedy for Parkland Memorial Hospital, and they have supported Children’s Medical Center Foundation for more than 15 years.
“The Dealey Foundation is an important part of the incredible legacy of George Bannerman Dealey, legendary publisher of The Dallas Morning News and owner of A.H. Belo Corporation. There is no more iconic family in the history of our city, and the foundation extends that legacy through its support for historic preservation, public health, and education,” said Brent Christopher, president, Children’s Medical Center Foundation.
Outstanding Corporation Pioneer Natural Resources, nominated by Dallas CASA and Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, has created a corporate culture that strives to improve communities and help children succeed in school, the workforce, and life. Pioneer has been a cornerstone contributor to Dallas CASA, intersecting with its mission, beginning during the earliest days of its founding. Mark Berg, executive vice president at Pioneer, has been a Dallas CASA Board member since 2007, chairing it in 2012 and 2013; and his mother, Rose Marion Berg, was the co-president of the inaugural board of directors. Pioneer’s gifts include a $1 million contribution in 2014 to the “Abused Children Can’t Wait” campaign as well as contributions totaling more than $1 million since 2007 and an additional $350,000 in pledged funding and in-kind donations. Pioneer employees and spouses serve not only as individual donors, contributing more than $750,000 in gifts, but also as advocates. Pioneer stepped forward in 2012 to host the annual golf tournament, which has raised $17.9 million over its history and is co-sponsored by Goldman Sachs and AT&T. In celebration of its 20th year, the tournament netted $2 million in 2017 thanks to a $350,000 matching fund from Pioneer. As campaign leader of a capital growth campaign, Pioneer was instrumental in Dallas CASA successfully closing its $37 million campaign in 2015. It is now the largest CASA program in Texas and one of the largest in the United States. Since 2006, Pioneer has donated $3.9 million in direct financial support and over 11,500 volunteer hours to Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity providing shelter, stability, and strength to Dallas homebuyers. Their donations and sponsorships have anchored the continued revitalization of historically low-income neighborhoods in both South and West Dallas. Pioneer volunteers are also hands on in the construction process of the homes, while Pioneer President and CEO Tim Dove previously sat on the Habitat board and its Executive Vice President for Permian Operations Joey Hall is a current board member. As a result of Pioneer’s efforts, 24 families helped construct and buy new and affordable homes for themselves. Additionally Pioneer’s support helps renovate homes in aging neighborhoods, enabling the elderly and veterans to remain in their homes. Pioneer’s leadership has also resulted in the involvement and support of other corporations, sponsors and business partners.
“Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity and Dallas CASA have both worked closely with Pioneer Natural Resources for many years,” said David Crawford, CEO, Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. “Pioneer’s philanthropic spirit and commitment are extraordinary, and our neighborhoods and those we serve are blessed beyond measure to have them as partners.”
“Pioneer’s strong compassion and generous support for children in foster care starts with its leadership and spreads throughout the company,” said Kathleen LaValle, President and CEO, Dallas CASA. “We join Habitat for Humanity in celebrating the example Pioneer sets of how an industry leader can make a powerful impact in the community.”
Outstanding Fundraising Executive Luanne Samuel, CFRE, nominated by Jana Haigood of the Alcuin School, has over 24 years of fundraising experience. She began her development career while working for the International School of Geneva, a country without philanthropic tradition and a dislike of solicitations. She created a development position to meet the school’s financial needs, and she has continued her leadership as president of the school’s Ecolint-American Foundation, which she revitalized. She has held high level positions in eight organizations including the Alcuin School, Dallas CASA, International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), and the World Craniofacial Foundation and has raised close to $80 million in form of capital gifts, sponsorships, annual gifts, and grants – resulting in new buildings, purposeful learning spaces, scholarships, protection for abused children and strategic programs. Her skills have resulted in expanded donor portfolios for all, including an 83 percent increase in donors for IBO. Samuel has been an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and held multiple leadership positions including president, vice president of public relations and membership and has served as a member of the nominating committee. Samuel is a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and a former member of the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) Development Group. Additionally, she served as a member of the AFP International Chapter Support Committee for many years and received her CFRE certification in 2002. She has attended numerous professional conferences and workshops and is a proponent for mentoring, professional development and education. Outside of her development work, she has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care, an active board member of the Northwood Woman’s Club, and a member of the Review Committee for the Governor’s Volunteer Awards for the State of Texas. She gives generously to Alcuin School, AFP, and multiple organizations that are meaningful to her.
“One of the most valuable gifts Luanne has given to nonprofits is leaving the organizations in a position to sustain substantial giving in the future,” said Jana Haigood, Alcuin School. “She has established scholarships, given new life to existing scholarships, participated in board member recruitment and created parent and alumni engagement plans at the various schools she has served for the purpose of outreach and solicitation. Operations of all the places she has served are stronger because of her contributions.”
Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Jingle Bell Mistletoe, nominated by The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB), has put nearly 300,000 nutritious meals on the tables of hungry North Texans by selling mistletoe in the winter over the past four years. The mistletoe campaign first began in 2012 when Hurricane Sandy struck New York City. Then 6-year-old Stella Wrubel wanted to help her friends and family on the East Coast but was not sure what a kid could do. Her parents suggested a lemonade stand, but Wrubel had a different idea: decorate mistletoe with bows and bells and sell it in the front yard. That first year she raised $2,034 for the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy relief. In 2013 she recruited more friends and raised $8,421. After Wrubel and her friend Quinn Graves were introduced to NTFB, and they discovered how the organization helped children their own age, their bond with the NTFB was sealed. That next year the duo was more energized than ever to help fight hunger, and they formed a multi-generational team that cut down and sold even more mistletoe. In December 2014, they set up stands in Highland Park Village and raised $18,000. From 2015-2017, the kids in the red hats raised $131,081.57, providing 393,245 meals. Every fall, the fab four are dedicated to planning, organizing and implementing this fundraising model. It is their goal that children all over the country will follow their lead and sell mistletoe in front of grocery stores helping fight hunger nationwide. Today the Mistlecrew consists of four seventh graders, Stella Wrubel, Quinn Graves, Trevor Godkin, and Isabella Dickason, who, together in 2017, raised over $60,000 to provide 180,000 nutritious meals to hungry children, families and seniors. The goal for 2018 is $70,000, and they are already deep into preparations to beat their goal. The Jingle Bell Mistletoe Campaign is an innovative approach to empowering children to lead the fight against hunger in North Texas. Utilizing social media during mistletoe season, the group encourages people to post selfies with their mistletoe purchases and the hashtag #KissAndTella. Additionally, they collect donations online and via a text-to-donate service. As the fundraiser grows annually, the group recruits more friends to help with sales. They hope their fundraising model will be replicated by other children, and they encourage their peers to find other ways to give back.
“These passionate kids are committed to making a difference with the audacious attitude that nothing can stop them, and nothing has,” said Jeffrey King, associate director of individual giving, NTFB. “We are honored to count them as a friend and partner in our mission and the belief that one meal makes a difference.”
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.
“STMM is pleased to sponsor the Greater Dallas AFP for the fourth consecutive year,” said Stan Shipley, President and CEO, STMM Family Office. “AFP upholds the highest ethical fundraising and, importantly, effective fundraising. We are pleased to support AFP chapters around Texas including Austin, Houston, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and the Greater Plains Chapter.”
Sponsors to date are: $10,000 (presenting sponsor): South Texas Money Management; $7,500 (luncheon sponsor): Boy Scouts of America; $5,000 (awards sponsors): Boy Scouts of America, Texas Capital Bank, Chick-fil-A Foundation, Texas Health Resources; $2,500 (community sponsors): M. Gale & Associates, LLC, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas; $1,500 (reception sponsor): The Color of Money.
The luncheon will be emceed by longtime supporter Scott Murray. Murray Media, in-kind sponsor of the luncheon, produces the luncheon videos featuring the accomplishments of each award recipient.
“National Philanthropy Day is a day to remember and recognize the impact philanthropy – charitable giving, volunteering and engagement – has made in our world,” said Luncheon Chair William Bryant. “This day was first celebrated in 1986 in the U.S. with a proclamation from President Ronald Reagan. We hope you will join us in paying tribute to those who make the city of Dallas such a vibrant philanthropic community.”
Luncheon tickets are $95, $950 for a table of 10, and $1,250 for a premium table of 10. For tickets and sponsorships, visit afpdallas.org orcontact Madeleine 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.
