2017 Annual Conference - Awards Programming
Awards Programming
Join the Council in honoring exemplars in the field of philanthropy at our 2017 Annual Conference. The Council will present the 2017 Distinguished Service Award and Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communications at the Annual Meeting of the Members, and the Secretary's Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships will be presented by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in partnership with the Council on Foundations at a special salon.
Council on Foundations Awards
Council on Foundation Awards Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Members
Tuesday, April 25 — 12:15-2:15 p.m.
In a special ceremony during the annual Meeting of the Members, Council President and CEO Vikki Spruill and Council Board Chair Sherry Magill will recognize outstanding achievements in philanthropy by awarding the Council's 2017 Distinguished Service Award and the Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communications.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award, philanthropy’s highest honor, celebrates a visionary leader who inspires and embodies the qualities that define excellence in philanthropy, including commitment, courage, entrepreneurship, and impact. In 2017, the Council is recognizing Ronald B. Richard, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Foundation, for his service to the field. Throughout his career, Ronn's efforts have mobilized and unified people and institutions to produce tangible results to improve people’s lives and raise the capacity of others to advance the common good.
Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communications
The Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communications spotlights the communications strategies of foundations and corporate giving programs that creatively and effectively further their mission and goals and provide models of excellence to the field of philanthropy. The 2017 Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communications recipient is Citi Foundation, which implemented an integrated, multi-channel communications campaign to launch a new initiative in 2015 called Accelerating Pathways–a research effort to understand city-level policies and factors in 35 cities across the globe that create a strong and supportive environment for youth.
The Robert F. Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking will be awarded later this year.
Distinguished Service Award Salon
Tuesday, April 25 — 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Following the Meeting of the Members, join 2017 Distinguished Service Award winner Ronald B. Richard, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Foundation, for a discussion about the trials, triumphs, and lessons learned during his tenure in the sector. This informal and candid salon offers attendees the opportunity to discuss with and learn from an experienced philanthropic leader and get honest answers to questions about the most important issues of the moment that you may have been reluctant to ask.
Please note that space is limited and seating is first-come; first-serve.
HUD Secretary's Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships
HUD Awards Salon
Tuesday, April 25 — 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m
The Secretary's Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships recognizes cross-sector partnerships between the philanthropic and public sectors that effectively increase the quality of life for low- and moderate-income residents across all American geographies—urban, suburban, and rural. Awards will be presented by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in partnership with the Council on Foundations to ten foundations for completed or ongoing initiatives executed in partnership with any local, regional, or federal government during this session. Recognizing the unique challenges, opportunities, and promise present in rural America, at least three awards will be awarded to rural initiatives.
After the presentation of the awards, meet the ten award winners in an informal discussion setting. They will each highlight their successful public-philanthropic partnerships, discuss lessons learned, and answer questions from other winners and participants. Staff from HUD will also engage in the conversation, and attendees are encouraged to participate with comments and questions as well.
Please note that space is limited and seating is first-come, first-served.