"Philanthropy for All Seasons" attendees: School of Social Work
Loyola's decade-long commitment to educating the leaders of public- and private-sector philanthropy was celebrated at last summer's fifth annual Philanthropy for All Seasons reception.
In 1998, the School of Social Work began offering its Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy Sector (NMPS) Program, a one-year professional development certificate program in which participants acquire skills in nonprofit management, strategic planning, grant-making, and fundraising.
"The event promotes dialogue about the current challenges facing philanthropy in a venue where students, alumni, faculty, and individuals from the nonprofit and philanthropic communities can meet and network," says Ivan Medina, director of the NMPS program.
The 128 guests at the June event, which was developed in partnership with advancement's Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations, included the presidents of the Chicago Community Trust, the Woods Foundation, and the Siragusa Foundation. Event attendees heard from keynote speaker Sandra P. Guthman, president and CEO of the Polk Bros. Foundation. The foundation grants approximately $25 million each year to social service, educational, and cultural programs that aid inner-city children, youth, and families in Chicago. It also provides grants for Loyola's Center for Science and Math Education and the School of Social Work's Family and School Partnerships Program.
The 2008 Louis T. Delgado Social Justice in Philanthropy Award was presented to Jeanne Kracher, executive director of the Crossroads Fund. The award honors NMPS founder Louis Delgado and his achievements of the last 10 years, as well as his ongoing commitment to social justice in philanthropy.
Under Kracher's leadership, Crossroads has added new funding areas to support grassroots social-justice efforts in Chicago. Its Youth Fund, for example, supports young activists who want to change and challenge existing policies or organized structures that prevent their communities from achieving equality. Kracher also is a founding member of ACT-UP/Chicago, an AIDS awareness and advocacy group. She also has produced films and videos addressing a variety of subjects from health care in prisons to a history of the women's global-justice movement.
"Philanthropy for All Seasons honors advocates of social justice," says Medina. "The event celebrates Loyola's commitment to teaching, research, and service in philanthropy."
