You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
a silent auction to begin the drive for the<br />
20th Anniversary Fund endowment. With<br />
proceeds from the silent auction and donations,<br />
over $30,000 was raised for the anniversary<br />
endowment.<br />
As the celebration continued, the fall<br />
luncheon featured Butch Thompson, head<br />
coach of Auburn University baseball. Doris<br />
Kearns Goodwin, a noted historian, spoke<br />
at the spring symposium and luncheon.<br />
The finale this past summer was an event<br />
with singer and philanthropist Amy Grant<br />
in concert.<br />
Other highlights of the year included creating<br />
five Inspire Awards to recognize philanthropist<br />
who fit WPB’s mission of education,<br />
mentoring and philanthropy. The<br />
COME SEE OUR SELECTION OF PICKLEBALL GEAR AND<br />
APPAREL AND IDEAS FOR PICKLEBALL CHRISTMAS GIFTS!<br />
510 Geneva Street, Opelika, AL @DinkandVolleyPickleball<br />
awards and winners were Small Business<br />
Philanthropist, Stanley Sistrunk; Corporate<br />
Philanthropist, Alabama Power; Financial<br />
Educator, Leah Dubberly; Mentoring,<br />
Suzanne Laws; and Philanthropist of the<br />
Year, Mamie Sellers.<br />
During its 20th year, WPB reached the<br />
exciting milestone of crossing the one million<br />
dollar mark in providing financial support<br />
for the College of Human Sciences.<br />
“A portion of members’ gift to WPB each<br />
year is pooled to go towards our collective<br />
philanthropic impact,” says Mary Elizabeth<br />
Fukai, assistant director of WPB. “The million<br />
dollars represents 20 years of collective<br />
WPB giving to scholarships and grants<br />
in the College of Human Sciences. WPB has<br />
averaged about $50,000 per year in giving<br />
back to the college over the last 10 years.<br />
This year we gave $65,000 back in scholarships<br />
and grants, which included helping<br />
Project Uplift, the Study Abroad program,<br />
research and a wide variety of others.”<br />
The Women’s Philanthropy Board is<br />
dependent on its donors to undergird its<br />
programs and initiatives. Currently, there<br />
are 175 members, including both women<br />
and men with 92 percent living in Alabama.<br />
Fifty-six percent are Auburn graduates, 69<br />
precent women, 31 percent men, a third<br />
grader, some kids and teenagers, college<br />
students and some members in their 80s<br />
and 90s.<br />
“It is a remarkable accomplishment<br />
for this kind of organization being selffunded,”<br />
adds Kim. WPB donors believe in<br />
personal philanthropy and philanthropic<br />
engagement and in teaching people about<br />
86 EAST ALABAMA LIVING
Change language