The Greater Dallas Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) brought together nonprofits, volunteers, funders, foundations, businesses and community members to honor some of Dallas’ finest

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. More than 28,000 individuals celebrate this occasion each year through special awards luncheons organized by chapters of the Association of Fundraising Professionals across the globe.

The Greater Dallas Chapter of AFP, one of the first to begin celebrating National Philanthropy Day in 1981, held its 29^th annual event on November 14, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas.  They, along with presenting sponsor KERA, honored recipients in six categories. More than 500 attended the awards luncheon, themed “Imagine, Dream, Grow.”  Luncheon Chair Christina Moore-Salinas, CFRE, and Co-Chair Sarah Elliott joined long-time master of ceremonies Scott Murray in presenting the awards.

A highlight of the annual luncheon is the presentation of the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy award.  This year’s recipient, Charlsie Doan, age 13 and a student at Hockaday, was born with symbrachydactyly, a congenital hand disorder, and is missing her right hand. Nominated by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and sponsored by Hunt Consolidated, Inc., Doan became a patient of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital at the age of 6 months.  At age 2, she and her family became involved with the hospital’s inaugural KidSwing Golf Tournament in 2003, and they have been faithfully involved ever since.  To date she has raised over $167,000 for patient care.  Additionally, she was instrumental in a gift of $500,000 to TSRHC from the Crystal Charity Ball. She spoke to the Crystal Charity Ball committee and as she played her violin, demonstrated how a custom prosthetic device allowed her to pursue her musical ambitions. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age 11, Doan was chosen as a delegate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Children’s Congress, through which she has helped to promote government funding for research for a cure.

Katherine Perot Reeves was honored as the Outstanding Philanthropist, nominated by North Texas Food Bank and sponsored by Clarkson Davis.  A passionate advocate for hunger-relief causes, Reeves personally donates to North Texas Food Bank’s programs and serves as an active board member, volunteer and tour guide of NTFB’s distribution center. She has twice chaired the organization’s letter-writing campaign, raising funds for the Food 4 Kids Backpack Program, providing weekend food to more than 11,000 chronically hungry children. Since joining the board in 2011, her combined personal donations and fundraising efforts have exceeded $6 million. Reeves’ family’s legacy with NTFB began when her aunt, Bette Perot, helped NTFB founder Liz Minyard acquire warehouse space to launch the food bank’s operation in 1982.  Bette Perot was in attendance at the luncheon along with parents Margot and Ross Perot, to whom she credits her “service heart.”

Michelle Riddell of Blue Cross Blue and Shield of Texas accepted the company’s award for Outstanding Corporation, nominated by the Caring for Children Foundation of Texas. For more than eight decades, the company has demonstrated that belief through funding programs that support organizations focused on underserved/underinsured Texans. Last year BCBSTX provided support to nearly 360 organizations, with over $6.2 million in corporate contributions. One of the company’s most longstanding philanthropic efforts is a mobile health outreach program called the Care Van^® Program. More than 2 million children currently living in Texas go without immunizations due to costs or limited medical care access. Operated by the Caring for Children Foundation of Texas, a fleet of 10 mobile units travels into medically underserved areas providing vaccinations, dental screenings, and other health services. Celebrating 20 years, the organization has reached nearly 750,000 children and provided more than 1.1 million vaccines thanks to the support of BCBSTX.

Children’s Cancer Fund Board Chair Dana Williams accepted the award for Children’s Cancer Fund for Outstanding Foundation, nominated by Children’s Medical Center Foundation and sponsored by Children’s Medical Center.  Children’s Cancer Fund (CCF) was founded in 1982 by a coalition of parents whose children were receiving cancer therapy at Children’s. Its mission is to advance pediatric treatment and prevention through research and improved clinical service. Partnering since its inception with Children’s Medical Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center, CCF has provided over $7 million in funding to these institutions over the past three decades. CCF’s two signature fundraising events, the Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show and the SBB Golf Classic, inspire others to take active leadership roles in the fight against pediatric cancer.

Chris Kleinert was named Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser, nominated by Methodist Health System Foundation and sponsored by Dini Spheris.  Kleinert, president and CEO of Hunt Consolidated Investments, LLC, a subsidiary of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., is known for his board service and nonprofit commitments, most recently leading the successful fundraising campaign for Methodist Health System’s Bright ER Capital Campaign.  Launched in 2012, this campaign was Methodist’s largest fundraising effort to date.  Under Kleinert’s leadership, the campaign exceeded its goal by raising over $20 million including securing several gifts of over $1 million and important leadership gifts from many leading foundations as well as a broad base of first-time donors to Methodist. 

The Outstanding Fundraising Executive Award was presented to Milton Key, nominated by John Roppolo.  Key, vice president of development and executive director of the foundation for Presbyterian Communities and Services has more than 23 years of experience in advancing organizations through fundraising.  In leadership positions or as an integral part of fundraising teams, Key has worked with donors whose contributions have totaled millions of dollars through annual gifts, major gifts, and planned gifts, toward campaigns and initiatives that have resulted in more than $300 million for higher education, children’s services, and healthcare. Key recently led a $38.6 million campaign for Faith Presbyterian Hospice to build the T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center – Dallas’ first stand-alone community inpatient hospice center.

Additional sponsors include North Texas Food Bank, sponsor of the VIP Reception held prior to the luncheon.

"We were proud to present and pay tribute to these outstanding individuals and organizations that make a real difference in our community through their leadership, vision and generosity,” said National Philanthropy Day Chair Christina Moore-Salinas, CFRE.  “This day serves as wonderful reminder that everyone can be a philanthropist - young to old, individuals to organizations—and that our contributions are wonderfully unique, but all extraordinary.”

                For more information, 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 28,248 members in 172 chapters throughout the world.  Visit afpdallas.org, call 214-354-8742, or email afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org.

Four of the Six National Philanthropy Day Recipients to be honored at the 29th Annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon on November 14 call Far North Dallas-Lake Highlands-Richardson areas home.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas of Richardson has been named Outstanding Corporation; Children’s Cancer Fund (75231) has been named Outstanding Foundation; Chris Kleinert (75248) has been named Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser; and Milton Key (75254) has been named Outstanding Fundraising Executive.  The luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd., Dallas, Landmark Ballroom, and tickets are still available.

Two additional two recipients are Charlsie Doan, Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, and Katherine Perot Reeves, Outstanding Philanthropist.

Hosted by The Greater Dallas Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals, with presenting sponsor KERA, this annual event brings together the area’s nonprofits, volunteers, funders, foundations, business and community member to honor some of Dallas’ finest who give of their time, talent and treasure to support many worth causes. Luncheon Chair is Christina Moore-Salinas, CFRE, and Co-Chair is Sarah Elliott.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (Outstanding Corporation – nominated by the Caring for Children Foundation of Texas) Known as a “company that cares,” Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) believes in creating long-term value through social responsibility. For more than eight decades, the company has demonstrated that belief through funding programs that support organizations focused on underserved/underinsured Texans. Last year BCBSTX provided support to nearly 360 organizations, with over $6.2 million in corporate contributions. The Healthy Kids Healthy Families (HKHF) grant program is an example of how BCBSTX’s funding addresses health and wellness. Working to stem the rising tide of obesity and related chronic conditions such as diabetes, the HKHF program utilizes grants to improve nutrition education, physical activity, and disease prevention, while supporting safe environments. Some of the 2014 HKHF partners include: IT’S Time Texas, Marathon Kids, Real School Gardens, CAN DO Houston, and The Children’s Advocacy Center of Texas. Under the HKHF umbrella, BCBSTX also partners with KaBoom!, the national nonprofit dedicated to helping today’s children spend more time playing outdoors.  Since that partnership began, BCBSTX employees have helped construct 18 playgrounds throughout Texas. One of the company’s most longstanding philanthropic efforts is a mobile health outreach program called the Care Van^® Program. More than 2 million children currently living in Texas go without immunizations due to costs or limited medical care access. Operated by the Caring for Children Foundation of Texas, a fleet of 10 mobile units travels into medically underserved areas providing vaccinations, dental screenings, and other health services. Celebrating 20 years, the organization has reached nearly 750,000 children and provided more than 1.1 million vaccines thanks to the support of BCBSTX. Through the company’s Employee Giving Program and the Blue Corps Volunteer Program, employees can also support organizations that are important to them.  Considered the company’s most valuable asset, employees are valued contributors in achieving business objectives and are recognized and rewarded accordingly. 

Children’s Cancer Fund (Outstanding Foundation – nominated by Children’s Medical Center Foundation and sponsored by Children’s Medical Center).  Children’s Cancer Fund (CCF) was founded in 1982 by a coalition of parents whose children were receiving cancer therapy at Children’s under the care of Dr. George Buchanan and his team of physicians and health professionals. Its mission is to advance pediatric treatment and prevention through research and improved clinical service. CCF strives to support initiatives aimed at discovering better treatments and, potentially, cures for pediatric cancer while minimizing or eliminating the challenging psychological effects on cancer patients, as well as the long-term effects of treatment on survivors. Partnering since its inception with Children’s Medical Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center -- both national leaders in the research and treatment of pediatric cancer -- CCF has provided over $7 million in funding to these institutions over the past three decades. CCF’s two signature fundraising events, the Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show and the SBB Golf Classic, inspire others to take active leadership roles in the fight against pediatric cancer. This year the 26^th Annual Luncheon, led by longtime honorary chairs Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, engaged 150 volunteers, 1,200 guests and raised more than $480,000. The event brings together current pediatric cancer patients and survivors, supporters, celebrities, and the community to inspire hope and raise support. The SBB Golf Classic, begun by Fred Shapiro of SBB Management Co., has raised more than $300,000 during the past six years. For 32 years, CCF has supported programs and fellows at Children’s and UT Southwestern; improved outpatient care in the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s, and funded a child life specialist to help families cope with the social and physiological effects of a cancer or blood disorder diagnosis. CCF remains driven to create a brighter future for kids with cancer by investing in innovation, inspiring hope, and providing resources for compassionate care.

Chris Kleinert (Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser – nominated by Methodist Health System Foundation and sponsored by Dini Spheris).  Chris Kleinert, president and CEO of Hunt Consolidated Investments, LLC, a subsidiary of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., is known for his board service and nonprofit commitments, most recently leading the successful fundraising campaign for Methodist Health System’s Bright ER Capital Campaign.  Launched in 2012, this campaign was Methodist’s largest fundraising effort to date.  Raising significant funds for Methodist-Dallas was thought to be a challenge due to the majority of its patients being uninsured or underinsured and a general lack of awareness of the critical role Methodist plays in the community’s trauma care system as one of only three trauma centers in the city at large. Under Kleinert’s leadership, the campaign exceeded its goal by raising over $20 million including securing several gifts of over $1 million and important leadership gifts from many leading foundations as well as a broad base of first-time donors to Methodist.  Kleinert is a member of the board of trustees of the Communities Foundation of Texas, the board of directors for the Tate Lecture Series and the Dallas Regional Chamber. He also serves on the M.J. Neeley School of Business International Board of Visitors at Texas Christian University and the Investment Committee of Southern Methodist University. He served as co-chair of the American Heart Association’s 2014 Dallas Heart Walk with his brother-in-law, Hunter Hunt.  This year’s walk was the biggest yet, raising over $5.5 million and involving over 70,000 walkers.  He and his wife, Ashlee, founded Executives in Action (EIA) in 2009. EIA is a nonprofit organization that engages experienced business leaders in transition as pro-bono consultants in high impact projects for nonprofit agencies that could not otherwise access such talent. 

Milton Key (Outstanding Fundraising Executive - nominated by John Roppolo). Milton Key, vice president of development and executive director of the foundation for Presbyterian Communities and Services -- the parent organization of Faith Presbyterian Hospice, Grace Presbyterian Village and Presbyterian Village North -- has more than 23 years of experience in advancing organizations through fundraising.  In leadership positions or as an integral part of fundraising teams, Key has worked with donors whose contributions have totaled millions of dollars through annual gifts, major gifts, and planned gifts, toward campaigns and initiatives that have resulted in more than $300 million for higher education, children’s services, and healthcare. Key’s career has taken him from Dallas Baptist University to Buckner International, Austin College, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and back to Dallas, where he is currently helping to lead a $38.6 million campaign for Faith Presbyterian Hospice to build the T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center – Dallas’ first stand-alone community inpatient hospice center. Caring, kind and accessible, Key has successfully led and mentored many professionals during his career. He is a natural at cultivating donors, working with trustees, building teams, engaging others and spreading the word. A longtime member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Dallas Chapter, he served on the board of directors and as president in 2003 and 2004. While in Atlanta, he was elected to the International Board of AFP.  Dedicated to his profession, he has been a presenter at numerous fundraising programs. Committed to his community and church, he has served as board president of Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, as an elder and choir member at his church, and as a passionate sponsor of children and missionaries through various ministry organizations.

"We are proud to present and pay tribute to these outstanding individuals who make a real difference in our community through their leadership, vision and generosity,” emphasized this year's Dallas National Philanthropy Day Chair, Christina Moore-Salinas, CFRE.  “Join us and be inspired by another amazing group of recipients doing exceptional work serving and supporting a wide range of charitable causes.”

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. 

Additional sponsors include North Texas Food Bank, sponsors of the VIP Reception held prior to the luncheon.  Luncheon tickets are $85, $850 for a table of 10, and $1,250 for a premium table of 10.  For further information on tickets and sponsorships, 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 28,248 members in 172 chapters throughout the world.  Visit afpdallas.org, call 214-354-8742, or email afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org.