It is with great joy that I announce that two of the Orange County Community Foundation’s most dedicated and generous donors, Dick and Mary Allen, have been selected to receive this year’s Outstanding Philanthropist Award by the Orange County chapter of the Association for Fundraising Professionals. Dick and Mary will receive this honor on November 18, 2009 at Orange County’s National Philanthropy Day luncheon.

Dick and Mary Allen have served Orange County for decades as civic and charitable leaders. Their efforts and generosity have supported older adults, educated youth, provided access to quality healthcare, and fortified the local nonprofit sector. They have provided generous support to local nonprofits including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Orange County Council on Aging, St. Mark Presbyterian Church, Adult Day Services of Orange County (now the Alzheimer’s Family Services Center), M.I.N.D. Institute, and UCI Foundation, among others. Inspired to “do something” by their grandaughter’s diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes at the age of two, Mary and Dick made a heartfelt leadership gift to Hoag Hospital to establish The Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center. Just recently opened, the Center, in partnership with Children’s Hospital of Orange County, will provide multilingual and multicultural treatment, education and outreach to Orange County’s diverse populations who are affected by diabetes. More...

On July 15, the Orange County chapter of AFP (Association for Fundraising Professionals) presented a day-long Conference on Philanthropy entitled “Change & Challenges – Fundraising in Turbulent Times”. I was honored to be asked to give the morning keynote address together with Gary Phillips of Phillips & Associates to more than 200 local nonprofit leaders. Gary and I presented both a global and an Orange County perspective on fundraising during this recession – how the economic crisis has affected donors (individuals, foundations and corporations) and what steps local nonprofits can take to ensure their short and long-term success.

Click here for the notes from my portion of the presentation.