Hosted by the Greater Dallas Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals, the National Philanthropy Day Luncheon honors some of Dallas’ most outstanding philanthropists and volunteers
For almost 40 years, Preston Hollow resident Kaki Hopkins has been a dedicated volunteer for more than 14 organizations – chairing an event a year and often asked to chair the same events multiple times. On November 9, Hopkins will be honored with the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award, at the 33rd Annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon “Stories Worth Telling,” 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, Reunion Ballroom. This annual event celebrates 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.
Nominated by the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Hopkins – a supporter herself – 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.”
The luncheon, which is sponsored by South Texas Money Management (STMM), will honor five additional 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.
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.
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.
Outstanding Fundraising Executive Luanne Samuel, CFRE, nominated by Jana Haigood of the Alcuin School, has over 24 years of fundraising experience.
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.
“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.”
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, Chick-fil-A Foundation, ClubCorp, Texas Capital Bank, 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 is chaired by William Bryant and 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. Rodney D. Bullard, Vice President of Community Affairs for Chick-fil-A, Inc. and Executive Director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation, will provide executive remarks.
“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. For tickets and sponsorships, visit afpdallas.org or contact Madeleine Crouch at 972-233-9107, ext. 204, afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org.