Neiman Marcus will be honored as Outstanding Corporation at the 32nd annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon, “It’s Our Tomorrow,” on Friday, November 10, 2017, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Dallas, Landmark Ballroom. Hosted by The Greater Dallas Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), this annual event brings 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.
For more than 110 years, Neiman Marcus, nominated by Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT), has been giving back to the community. Their philanthropic legacy began in 1907 through founder Herbert Marcus’ generosity to SMU and the Dallas Opera. Today Neiman Marcus Group is dedicated to serving worthwhile causes within communities where their stores and distribution and operational facilities are located (over 100 across the U.S.).
With a strategic focus on youth arts education through the HeART of Neiman Marcus program (now 70 percent of the company’s charitable giving), $6.7 million has been provided to nonprofits providing youth arts education, reaching 1.26 million students across the U.S. and over 350,000 in North Texas. Neiman Marcus also supports charitable projects nationwide, assists in disaster relief efforts, works closely with Herbert Marcus Elementary School in DISD and is a sponsor of North Texas Giving Day. Through their charitable funds managed by CFT, Neiman’s has granted over $15 million since 2008. Established in 2014, the Love to Give Campaign, featuring a special collection of gifts with 10 percent of sales supporting nonprofits with youth arts education programming, has resulted in $1 million in donations to date. Neiman’s also partnered with Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts for a student design contest to create the “charm” to adorn holiday gift wrap and provided the winner a cash donation and feature in their iconic Christmas Book.
"CFT has been honored to partner with Neiman Marcus in their charitable giving efforts since 2008," said Monica Egert Smith, Chief Relationship Officer, CFT. "Their gifts provide invaluable support for everything from critical disaster relief to their strategic focus area of youth arts education. The commitment Neiman Marcus has made to our North Texas community is both heartfelt and irreplaceable."
Associates of Neiman’s are encouraged to participate in the All Heart Associate Giving Campaign, which to date, has reached over $3.3 million. Neiman Marcus matches the associates’ gifts both during the campaign period and year round up to 3:1. Through the Associates Grant Competition, each associate is invited to submit an application on behalf of their favorite nonprofit. One recipient is selected, and a $5,000 gift is made in honor of the associate. Neiman Marcus has demonstrated a unique ability to engage and support its employees while making powerful investments in the communities it serves.
The luncheon will feature Jason Lee, JD Esq., interim president and CEO, AFP International as the keynote speaker. Lee represents over 33,000 individuals and organizations that raise more than $115 billion in charitable contributions every year around the world for countless causes. He will speak about the impact of charity and philanthropy.
“With Americans giving nearly $400 billion to charity every year, and charities making up 10 percent of the workforce, the charitable sector is playing a bigger role than ever in our future,” said Jason Lee. “The future belongs to all of us as we come together under the banner of philanthropy to improve our communities, our country and our world.”
Lee previously served as general counsel for AFP, where he increased its public visibility and awareness by developing political initiatives regarding fundraising and philanthropic issues. He also chairs the Charitable Giving Coalition, a Washington, DC-based consortium of nonprofit leaders dedicated to raising awareness on Capitol Hill about the value of the charitable deduction and its impact in supporting essential community services. He has successfully coordinated AFP’s efforts to persuade Congress to pass several important giving incentives, including the IRA Rollover.
“National Philanthropy Day is a special day set aside each year to recognize the great work of those who are active in the philanthropic community and make an impact our world,” said Luncheon Chair Meagan Burton. “We are not only honoring some extraordinary award recipients, but we are also featuring an inspirational keynote speaker, whose presentation will serve as a powerful reminder of how each of us can make a difference.”
South Texas Money Management (STMM), Greater Dallas AFP’s first chapter sponsor, is premier sponsor of the luncheon.
“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.”
Additional award recipients to be honored at the luncheon are as follows:
For over 46 years, Outstanding Philanthropists Dr. Henry Estess and Sandra Estess, nominated by Texas Health Resources Foundation, have played an integral role in supporting Texas Health hospitals. Focusing on health and education, the couple has shown exceptional generosity with their time, money, and leadership for the benefit of many others not only through Texas Health, but also Children’s Health, Ronald McDonald House, Educational First Steps, and more.
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Lynn McBee, nominated by The Dallas Opera and Dallas Women’s Foundation, is widely known for committing time, talent and philanthropy to benefit worthy organizations throughout the community. McBee has served a wide array of organizations contributing to the arts, culture, and the overall civic profile of Dallas. She serves on multiple boards, has been the recipient of numerous honors, and is the CEO of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network, educating over 4,600 underserved young women in eight schools across the state of Texas.
Outstanding Foundation The Hersh Foundation, nominated by Southwestern Medical Foundation and the Resource Center of Dallas, Inc., is committed to enriching and improving the quality of life for all people by supporting initiatives in three categories: education and leadership; mental health research and mental illness prevention; and North Texas cultural organizations. Julie and Ken Hersh began the foundation in 1997 as a way to secure long-term financial commitments to nonprofits in their community. In addition to the providing the lead gift for the Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care at UTSW and their support of the Youth First Program at the Resource Center, the foundation also supports local non-profits such as the Dallas Theater Center, the George W. Bush Institute, Dallas Urban Debate, Galaxy Counseling Center, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Dallas Children’s Theater, KERA and Momentous Institute. Julie Hersh will receive the TACA Silver Cup Award in March 2018.
Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Micah Pinson, 13, nominated by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, has conducted annual toy drives for six years resulting in more than 25,000 toys for children at the hospital. Born missing three fingers on his left hand, Pinson is grateful for the special care he received as a patient and wanted to give back. He learned that toys were an important part of the hospital’s therapeutic care plan for children and began organizing toy drives and engaging the help of other students, corporations, and volunteers with collection, storage and delivery. He inspires others with his kindness and positive outlook and encourages everyone to celebrate their differences.
Outstanding Fundraising Executive Pagett Gosslee, CFRE, nominated by John Roppolo, has over 30 years of fundraising experience. She has been the director of development and alumni relations for the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas since 2009. She has also raised funds for Mercy Ships, Baylor Health Care System Foundation, and Hope Cottage Adoption Center, where she was the first development director in 1988. A member of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) since 1986, she was awarded her CFRE in 1993, chaired the Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon in 1991 and the DFW Philanthropy Conference in 1999, and served as president of the Greater Dallas Chapter of AFP in 2005.
This year, the AFP Greater Dallas Chapter is presenting a Special Recognition Award to Terry L. Simmons, posthumously. Simmons passed away this year at the age of 62. He was a leading advocate for philanthropy in Washington and across the nation with regard to legislative and regulatory issues affecting philanthropy. His crowning professional achievement was preserving for charities the gift annuity and other life income plans, through which billions of dollars have been contributed for public good. In late 1997, The NonProfit Times named Simmons, “Nonprofit Executive of the Year” in recognition of his work. He was also regularly named as one of The Best Lawyers in America, Top 100 Attorneys in America by Worth Magazine, and Texas’ Super Lawyers.
"We are excited to present and pay tribute to these outstanding individuals and organizations that have positively impacted our community through their leadership, vision and generosity,” emphasized Burton, Dallas National Philanthropy Day Chair. “Join us on November 10 for one of the most inspiring luncheons in Dallas!”
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 third consecutive year,” said Stan Shipley, President and CEO, STMM’s Family Offices. “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."
The luncheon will be emceed by longtime supporter Scott Murray. Murray Media, presenting sponsor of the luncheon, produces the luncheon videos featuring the accomplishments of each award recipient.
Luncheon tickets are $95. Visit afpdallas.org or contact Madeleine Crouch at 972-233-9107, ext. 204, afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org.