The Greater Dallas Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) will host the 35th annual celebration “The Stars of Texas,” for Dallas’ National Philanthropy Day – VIRTUALLY bringing together area nonprofits, volunteers, funders, foundations, business and community members to honor this city’s finest who give selflessly in support of numerous worthy causes – on Friday, November 13, 2020, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. In this virtual format, the annual event, which traditionally features pre-recorded acceptance speeches from the award recipients, will also include live remarks and award presentations from Murray Media Studios, where it will be hosted by longtime luncheon emcee Scott Murray.
Luncheon Co-Chairs Tanya Downing and Benjamin Vann announce the 2020 honorees in five categories:
Outstanding Philanthropist(s) Mary and Carl Ice, nominated by The Salvation Army of North Texas, continually inspire others to give both financial support and volunteer leadership to many nonprofits. For years they have generously supported The Salvation Army. Carl is a member of the Army’s National Advisory board and has served as chair of the North Texas Advisory Board, where he played an integral role in creating the organization’s current 10-year vision plan. At The Salvation Army’s Youth Education Town in Arlington, the music room bears their names in recognition of their generosity to the program which has brought joy to countless children. The Ices also support the Flint Hills Discovery Center; The Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University; and Kansas State University, where the School of Engineering is named in honor of Carl. The Ices have also long been members of the United Way of Tarrant County’s Tocqueville Society. Native Kansans, both Mary and Carl graduated from Kansas State University, where Carl was inducted into the College of Engineering Hall of Fame and named the College of Engineering Alumni Fellow. Carl currently chairs the Kansas State University Foundation and Mary serves on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The Ices support many other KSU programs, including athletics, the College of Health and Human Sciences, and scholarships. Mary has also served as chair of the KSU advisory board for the College of Health and Human Sciences in addition to her ongoing board service with the Nature Conservancy in Kansas and the Symphony in the Flint Hills. Mary was instrumental in the founding of the Cats’ Cupboard initiative at K-State that is devoted to promoting food security at KSU by providing direct food access through an on-campus pantry and support through programs that promote health, success and well-being. Mary was named the first recipient of the Ice-Barrett Champions Award in recognition of her work with Cat’s Cupboard. In addition to their personal philanthropy, Carl has ensured a legacy of giving from BNSF Railway Corporation, where he serves as president and CEO. The couple resides in Westlake and has two children.
“Mary and Carl Ice are servant leaders, who continually answer the call to help those in need,” said Jay Dunn, managing director, The Salvation Army of North Texas. “They perpetually seed funding initiatives that create everlasting impact directly into peoples’ lives and have made it their personal mission to eliminate roadblocks in service with immediate funding relief. It is difficult to think of anyone more deserving of this honor.”
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Natalie Musgrave Dossett, nominated by the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, has been a passionate fundraiser and advocate for multiple nonprofits including the Episcopal School of Dallas, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, Dallas Museum of Art (where she served as a docent), the Visiting Nurse Association of Dallas (VNA), and the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas (RMHD). She served as chair for the RMHD capital campaign, raising more than $12 million to expand the House, adding 30 additional family rooms – all completed ahead of schedule. In addition, at RMHD, Dossett has served as board chair, Trains at NorthPark co-chair, and gala co-chair. Her dedication to causes important to her, combined with her leadership abilities, ignite the passion of donors, old and new, resulting in success on any project she supports. A native of San Antonio, Dossett served as chief development officer for the Christian Assistance Ministry and the San Antonio Children’s Museum. She remains a board member of The Mirza Trust and is advisory board chair of The Barroneña Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation. A graduate of Vanderbilt University with a bachelor’s degree in history, Dossett is also certified in fine and decorative art from Christie’s London. She and her husband, Drew, have six children and twin 1-year-old granddaughters and reside in Bluffview.
“Natalie Dossett has spent thousands of hours leading committees and soliciting donations for very successful fundraising campaigns at the Ronald McDonald House,” said Jill Cumnock, CEO, RMHD. “She is very much like the Pied Piper as people gravitate to her and want to follow her lead. She’s innovative, committed, engaged, and such an incredible blessing to any organization lucky enough to have her support.”
Outstanding Foundation the David M. Crowley Foundation, nominated by North Texas Food Bank (NTFB), has made an incredible impact on North Texas since its founding in 1991 by providing support for innovative solutions to the problems facing children, economically disadvantaged individuals, and the community at large. Over the 20 years of partnership with the food bank, the foundation’s support has played key roles in supporting capital campaigns, strategic plans, and the establishment of NTFB’s Mobile Pantry program. This enabled NTFB to quickly pivot operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by distributing family food boxes to hungry neighbors through a low-contact, drive-up model. Additionally, the foundation’s sponsorship of the NTFB’s Summer Match campaign over the past 10 years has helped generate awareness for the issue of hunger while also inspiring the community to donate critically needed, unrestricted gifts. Because of this support, NTFB has grown and evolved its operations to better serve the community. The foundation is also passionate about supporting health-related causes including U.T. Southwestern research projects, potentially leading to breakthroughs in the areas of spinal-cord injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and peripheral nerve damage. Additionally, the foundation supports programs at The Wilkinson Center and Genesis Women’s Shelter, among many others.
“We are thankful for the foresight of the foundation as an initial investor and ongoing supporter of our Mobile Pantry program, which allows NTFB to quickly respond when disaster strikes and to reach underserved and hard-to-access communities,” said Erica Yaeger, Chief External Affairs Officer for the North Texas Food Bank. “And that is just one example of many ways the David Crowley Foundation has positively impacted our operations. We are beyond grateful for the difference this foundation makes every day in North Texas and absolutely thrilled they have been selected for this honor.”
Outstanding Corporation Toyota of North America, nominated by the Women’s Business Council Southwest, is widely known as a car company, but it is so much more. Toyota is passionate about serving the community by giving time, knowledge, and resources to support local organizations. Through a holistic approach, Toyota seeks to expand access to opportunities that improve people’s lives and create tangible, sustainable solutions that address societal challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Toyota continues assisting those in need with essential supplies, emergency relief, and support of distance learning programs. The company’s community engagement focus areas include: workforce readiness – partnering with organizations to motivate, inspire and prepare youth for the careers of tomorrow; inclusive mobility – connecting people to jobs, education and critical services that help improve quality of life; and community sustainability – building more resilient communities and addressing areas such as hunger, disaster preparedness and environmental sustainability. Some specific highlights of its contributions include the Collin County Mobility Collaborative, a $1 million gift which supported 3,800 families experiencing homelessness; a $400,000 gift to Texas Women’s Foundation; a $1 million gift to North Texas Food Bank, as well as providing a van, volunteer time and expertise; and $135,000 to support the growth of women business executives, among many other contributions, which have improved life for North Texans.
“Since Toyota relocated their corporate headquarters to the North Texas area, they have provided wide and deep philanthropic community support,” stated Debbie Hurst, president and CEO, Women’s Business Council - Southwest. “I am enthusiastically joined by my colleagues from Texas Women’s Foundation, North Texas Food Bank, and Dallas/Ft Worth Minority Supplier Development Council, in presenting this collaborative nomination for Outstanding Corporation. Toyota’s significant support and engagement makes an immeasurable difference in the lives of countless North Texans, and it would be a challenge to think of any company more deserving of this honor!”
Outstanding Fundraising Executive Stephanie Brigger, CFRE, nominated by Mary Crowley Cancer Research, has served as vice president of development at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children for 17 years and raised millions of dollars, increasing the hospital’s fundraising revenue by 56 percent. She became a member of the Scottish Rite family in 1987, utilizing her background as a registered nurse to successfully lead ambulatory care services, including medical records, chaplaincy services, patient access and laboratory services. While managing a development office of 16, Brigger also oversees all of the hospital’s “friendraising activities,” with a keen ability to match the hospital’s needs with donors’ interests and involve all staff and volunteers in fundraising efforts – all while nurturing relationships with patients, family, and the community as whole. Brigger is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and has served as the organization's program chair, membership chair and treasurer. She is also a board member of the Ronald McDonald House and Camp John Marc, where she offers her time and resources. Brigger was named one of Dallas-Fort Worth’s Great 100 Nurses in 1995 and is a member of the Leadership Dallas class of 2003. She has one child and resides in West Highland Park.
“Stephanie Brigger is a consummate professional who is well-known and well-loved not only at Scottish Rite Hospital, but also in the community,” said Deborah Montonen, Mary Crowley Cancer Research. “Devoted to the fundraising profession and committed to all of those she serves, her fundraising and friendraising records are equally impressive.”
National Philanthropy Day was first celebrated nationally in 1986 in the U.S. with a proclamation from President Ronald Reagan. The Greater Dallas Chapter of AFP was among the first to begin celebrating National Philanthropy Day in 1985. Today, more than 500 attend the luncheon which includes AFP members and community leaders. AFP Chapters involve more than 28,000 individuals in celebrating philanthropy each year.
“While our 35th anniversary event will look very different as a virtual event, it is perhaps more important than ever,” said Tanya Downing, co-chair. “The community depends on the support, passion, and commitment of individuals and organizations such as those represented in this stellar list of 2020 award recipients. As a shining example, Communities Foundation of Texas continues to answer the call to action by providing 20 scholarships for Black and African American fundraising professionals to grow their skills and leadership in philanthropy.”
The AFP Dallas Chapter sponsor is Texas Capital Bank. Tickets are $25, which includes one complimentary registration for the monthly chapter program of your choice in 2021. Virtual tables available include a virtual premium table of 10 for $500 (host company recognized onscreen during event and on the Greater Dallas AFP website/social media posts); and a virtual table of 10 for $200 (host company receives recognition on the Greater Dallas AFP website/social media posts). For tickets and sponsorships, visit afpdallas.org or contact Madeleine Crouch at 972-233-9107, ext. 204, afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org.
“As many nonprofits are struggling during the pandemic, community volunteers and supporters are helping them to survive,” said Benjamin Vann, co-chair. “National Philanthropy Day is a day to remember and recognize the impact philanthropy – charitable giving, volunteering, and engagement – has made in our world. Please join us on November 13to celebrate this year’s recipients and all of those who make our city such a vibrant philanthropic community.”
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.