National Philanthropy Day honorees reveal generosity throughout our community
Hundreds gathered at The Edgewater last month to celebrate the philanthropy seen every day in the greater Madison area. Together, we recognized community members for their gifts of time, skills, and resources through seven National Philanthropy Day awards.
Relive this year’s events through photos by Hedi LaMarr Photography (download pin: 3007)
Highlighting one big moment of the event, the group of teens from Meals Matter – Youth in Philanthropy Award recipients – received a standing ovation for their work fighting food insecurity in their local area. In fewer than two years of operation, Meal Matter has collected 60,000 of food and raised over $30,000 for their cause. Past that, they’ve intentionally built a sustainable model that can continue beyond the founders’ time in high school and expand to other schools. The National Philanthropy Day event crowd was struck by the true passion shown by these students in sharing about their work and the people it supports.
[
Closing the awardee remarks, Tom Neujahr – Lifetime Impact Award recipient – left attendees with the philosophy that “if it matters to you, invest in it,” recounting the decades he’s supported public media, Wisconsin conservation causes, and performing arts. Tom’s giving, volunteer involvement, and community leadership through his business and personal life exemplified for the crowd philanthropy as a lifelong practice.
Lessons shared by each of this year’s awardees remind us that philanthropy of all types is happening around us every day, making our community stronger, healthier, and happier.
Congratulations again to all recognized at National Philanthropy Day, and thank you to everyone who joined us to make it a remarkable celebration!
