2006 Philanthropy Award Recipients

Determination, commitment, insight hallmark characteristics of 2006 Philanthropy Award recipients

TORONTO (October 3, 2006) – The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Toronto Chapter, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2006 Philanthropy Awards.

Presented each year by AFP Greater Toronto Chapter, these awards are an opportunity to celebrate individuals and organizations that lead by example to give their time, talent and financial resources to make a meaningful contribution the work of not-for-profit organizations in the GTA.

“Philanthropy Award recipients, whether individuals or organizations, set an example for the rest of us with their professionalism, commitment and passion,” says Yves Gadler, Chapter president. “They remind us that we can all make a difference in the lives of others, our community, our world.”

Recipients this year include Margaret N. McCain (Outstanding Philanthropist), Sally Horsfall Eaton and John Craig Eaton (Outstanding Volunteers), Jenna Lambert (Youth in Philanthropy), Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life (Outstanding Corporation), the Harbinger Foundation (Outstanding Foundation or Philanthropic Group) and Paul Marcus (Outstanding Fundraising Professional).

“I think I speak for each member of the committee overseeing the Philanthropy Awards in saying we are overwhelmed by the generosity and spirit of every individual and organization nominated,” says Susan Mullin, Awards Selection Committee Chair. “The AFP is honoured to shine a light on the significant achievements of our award recipients.”

Nominations are submitted by AFP Greater Toronto Chapter members on behalf of their organization where nominees have made a difference through their volunteer or philanthropic efforts. Recipients will be recognized at a special National Philanthropy Day luncheon event Wednesday, November 15, 2006.

About the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter Philanthropy Awards

The AFP Greater Toronto Chapter has been honouring leadership in philanthropy through its annual awards program since 1995. This year the Awards will be presented at the annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon to be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, Wednesday, November 15, 2006. For more information please contact the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter at 416-941-9212, or visit www.afptoronto.org.

About National Philanthropy Day
National Philanthropy Day is recognized throughout North America as a celebration of philanthropy. Every year the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter honours individuals and groups who, through their hard work and dedication, have enhanced philanthropy in their communities and around the world.  Find out more about National Philanthropy Day.

About AFP
AFP Greater Toronto Chapter is a recognized leader in promoting philanthropy and providing education, training and best practices for those in the fundraising profession. With more than 1,100 members, the Greater Toronto Chapter is the largest of the 180 AFP chapters throughout the world.

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For more information contact:

Sandra Cruickshanks/Chris Clarke
Thornley Fallis Communications
416-515 7517

2006 Philanthropy Award Recipients

Outstanding Philanthropist – Margaret N. McCain, O.C.
Nominated by Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS), The Learning Partnership and the Canadian Women’s Foundation, former New Brunswick Lieutenant-Governor, the Honourable Margaret N. McCain has initiated and supported many arts, educational and community-based philanthropic projects. Her leadership and continued investment in NBS and Project Grand Jeté is driven by a dedication to shaping the lives of young people. The generous support of Mrs. McCain has been instrumental in establishing The Learning Partnership as a credible, national voice in the field of Policy and Research. At the Canadian Women’s Foundation, she is a treasured board member, leading donor and co-chair of the Building Tomorrow Endowment Campaign. Mrs. McCain demonstrates that philanthropy is about giving time, money, talent and influence to make a difference in the world.

Outstanding Volunteer Award – Sally Horsfall Eaton and John Craig Eaton
Nominated by Ryerson University and St. John’s Rehab Hospital, Sally Horsfall Eaton and John Craig Eaton have a lifetime of volunteer involvement and leadership to their credit. The Ryerson Board of Governors created the role of “Chancellor Emeritus” for Mr. Eaton in recognition of his exceptional contribution of time and financial resources to the university as Chancellor and as an advocate for the Retail Management Program and the Eaton Chair in Retailing.  A former Chair of the Board of St. John’s Rehab Hospital, Sally Horsfall Eaton received an award from the Hospital this year for distinguished governance leadership following 12 years of service. She continues to serve as Honorary Patron of the St. John’s Rehab Foundation Rebuilding Lives Campaign. Sally Horsfall Eaton and John Craig Eaton set an example for others through their support and involvement in dozens of community, health and education programs.

Youth in Philanthropy – Jenna Lambert
Nominated by the YMCA of Greater Toronto, Jenna Lambert would make any parent and community proud. The first female with a physical disability to swim across Lake Ontario, Jenna raised more than $165,000 to help build a new swimming pool at the Kingston Family YMCA. She started swimming at the age of 10 through the Y Penguins swim team, a program for physically disabled children and their able-bodied siblings. Jenna’s strength and co-ordination has improved so much that she is able to use forearm crutches instead of a walker, not to mention completing a swim across Lake Ontario. Her fundraising efforts garnered national media coverage and the YMCA of Greater Toronto was so inspired by the Kingston program that they are working with Vicki Keith, program founder, and the West Toronto Rotary to start a similar program at the Mississauga YMCA.

Outstanding Corporation – Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life
A strong endorsement of this organization’s exceptional approach, this recipient received two separate nominations for the Outstanding Corporation award. Robarts Research Institute and Heart and Stroke Foundation submitted one nomination; Frontier College Foundation and Habitat for Humanity Toronto submitted the other. Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, are being recognized for their commitment and collaborative approach to supporting significant health care, arts, literacy and community-building projects. All three companies are recognized as leaders in the financial services industry and that recognition brings high expectations of leadership and innovation in the area of charitable giving. The national program – The Key to Giving – addresses community needs on a local, regional and national level. Staff volunteer efforts are encouraged through the Community Builders program where pledges are matched by the organization, and the Community Partners program where offices collaborate with local community organizations to realize their potential.

Outstanding Foundation or Philanthropic Group – Harbinger Foundation
Nominated by the Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG) and Théâtre francais de Toronto (TfT), the Harbinger Foundation is a Toronto-based family foundation founded in 1995 to support positive change through partnerships with creative and innovative not-for-profit organizations. Funding from the Harbinger Foundation has allowed TIFFG and TfT to broaden programs and gain new audiences for Canadian film and theatre. For TfT this has included funding a daring initiative: French language performances with English surtitles. At TfT the language barrier has fallen, contributing to a better understanding of both French and English cultures. The Harbinger Foundation has supported many TIFFG over the years. The most recent gift endowed the John Van Duzer Children’s Film Collection to build a unique, international film collection that opens the minds and hearts of young people seeking to better understand themselves and global issues. The Harbinger Foundation demonstrates philanthropy of the best kind: one that recognizes creativity, energy and humanity and is an inspired partner in the success of those organizations it supports.

Outstanding Fundraising Professional – Paul Marcus, LL.B., CFRE, President and CEO, York University Foundation
As the Founding President of the York University Foundation, Mr. Marcus has overseen the implementation of an innovative model for university fundraising in Canada. The results have been outstanding. In the past four years foundation revenue has doubled, the number of donors has increased by 63 per cent and 24 talented Board members have joined the team, helping to ensure even more success in the future. Significantly for the University, there have been more than a dozen new gifts of $1-million or more received since 2003.  Previous to his York University role, Mr. Marcus, a lawyer, was Senior Vice President at the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation where he was part of the team that delivered the successful Best Medicines campaign, raising in excess of $150 million in phase one (at the time, the largest campaign in Canadian hospital history). He is an active member of AFP and has spoken at several conferences and events. He serves on the International Ethics Committee and has served on the Board of the Greater Toronto Chapter. He is also an active volunteer with several community organizations. Mr. Marcus embodies the values of the AFP.