Since 1992, members and the Board of the Central Ohio Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) have publicly recognized local philanthropic leaders and celebrated their impact in our community through National Philanthropy Day® (NPD).
This day of recognition of personal and corporate impact is the highlight of our chapter’s witness to the broader community. It celebrates the unique partnership of donor and fundraiser. The National Philanthropy Day® celebration has become the highly anticipated ‘event to attend’ in Columbus during November, the traditional month of giving thanks, and is one of the largest in the nation.
This year, as in years past, we look forward to having the distinct honor of paying tribute to those who change our community—and our world—through their philanthropy.
A special note about the Leave a Legacy award: This award is selected by the Charitable Gift Planners of Central Ohio and is presented at the National Philanthropy Day® celebration. The annual nominations process is conducted by CGPCO who can be contacted for details.
NPD Sponsorship Opportunities
AFP Central Ohio is proud of the philanthropy happening in our community and invite you to join us in celebrating our community’s generosity through the National Philanthropy Day! This year we are back in person, offering partner benefits intended to spotlight your business and offer high visibility. Your support will help highlight the wonderful kindness, generosity, and inspiring actions of others. Proceeds support the vision of AFP Central Ohio, to strengthen the nonprofit community by advancing donor-centered philanthropy.
The 2022 National Philanthropy Day Honorees
Back Row – Colby Falconer (2022 NPD Chair), Shelley Backs (2022 AFP Central Ohio Chapter President), Valerie Swiatek (Bonner Family, Foundation), Emily Campbell (Professional Fundraiser), Mark Jaworski and Bethany Skaff (HOMAGE/Small Corporation), Dan DeLawder (Volunteer Fundraiser), Matt Barnes (NBC4, Emcee)
Front Row – Cassandra Swiatek (Bonner Family, Foundation), Kristin Slemmer (Athens Leadership Council-PPGOH, Volunteer Fundraising Group), Dr. Gay Pinnell (Philanthropist), Santino Carnevale (Youth in Philanthropy), Stephanie Merkle (Columbia Gas, Large Corporation), and Rohini Mulchandani, PhD (Leave a Legacy)
Dan DeLawder
About Dan DeLawder
Dan DeLawder was born in Newark, Ohio, one of 3 children of Chuck and Norma Jean DeLawder. He graduated from Heath High School in 1967 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Ohio University in 1971. He completed professional education through multiple professional studies over his career, including the Stonier Graduate School of Banking.
DeLawder joined Park National Bank in Newark, Ohio following graduation from Ohio University, where he spent his entire professional career, beginning as a Management Associate in the bank’s training program and advanced to succeeding levels of responsibility, including serving as President of Park’s affiliate bank in Lancaster, Ohio and ultimately served as Park’s CEO from 1999 through 2013. He retired from the bank 7/1/2021. He continues to serve as a board member of Park and its holding company, publicly traded Park National Corporation (PRK).
DeLawder has enjoyed significant volunteer activity through his career, including serving as the president of two United Way organizations, two area Chambers of Commerce, the leader of the Simon Kenton Council of BSA, Rotary Club of Lancaster, Ohio president, chair of the Ohio Bankers Association, 9 years as a trustee of Ohio University, the last two of which he served as board chair, 6 years as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, among other community activities over his career.
DeLawder currently serves as chair of Newark Development Partners Community Improvement Corporation, a member of the local advisory board in Newark for the Salvation Army, a trustee of the Newark Campus Development Fund and a trustee of the John and Mary Alford Foundation.
Dan has been happily married to Diane Harkness DeLawder since 1977. They are proud parents of Sara DeLawder Joyner, husband Tom, their 3 children and son Matt DeLawder, wife Sarah Loveridge DeLawder. Dan and Diane continue living in Newark, Ohio.
Dr. Gay Su Pinnell
About Dr. Gay Su Pinnell
Gay Su Pinnell is Professor Emerita in the School of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University and a member of the Reading Hall of Fame. She has extensive experience in classroom teaching, field-based research, and in developing comprehensive literacy systems. She is the recipient of the International Literacy Association’s Diane Lapp & James Flood Professional Collaborator Award, The Ohio State University Alumni Association’s Medalist Award, the International Reading Association’s Albert J. Harris Award for research in reading difficulties, the Ohio Governor’s Award, the Charles A. Dana Foundation Award, The Eastern New Mexico University Hall of Honor, and a 2018 recipient of an honorary doctorate from Lesley University for her contributions to literacy education. Fountas and Pinnell’s transformative, collective and comprehensive literacy work includes a cohesive classroom literacy system for grades PreK–6 (Fountas & Pinnell Classroom™), an intervention system for grades K–12 (Leveled Literacy Intervention), an assessment system (Benchmark Assessment System and Sistema de evaluación de la lectura), an extensive professional book base, and professional learning opportunities.
The Barbara & Bill Bonner Family Foundation
About the Barbara & Bill Bonner Family Foundation
The Barbara & Bill Bonner Family Foundation was established in 1999 at The Columbus Jewish Foundation. Bill Bonner created his family foundation to address the needs of the human condition and as a vehicle for his family to give back to the Central Ohio community where he lived and built his career.
Prior to his passing, Bill Bonner said to his daughters “I believe that charity is an investment in a better world. And as an investment, it should produce cost effective results. Make your investments wisely, study, consult and participate” (July 18, 2003).
Interest Areas:
We focus our efforts in Central Ohio providing grants to organizations that provide tools and education for self-sufficiency, emotional well-being, and improved quality of life. We look to raise awareness of the link between overall health and the environment. Supporting child and youth development, families facing illness, hunger and other crises through organizations such as: A Kid Again, The Buckeye Ranch, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Ohio Health Hospice, Ohio Wildlife Center, Pilot Dogs and Worthington Resource Pantry.
Funding Philosophy:
At one end of the spectrum of the life cycle of human service needs, the Foundation seeks to help the young get off to a good start in life. At the other end of the spectrum, the final stages of life, the Foundation seeks to maintain an individual’s comfort and dignity, regardless of age, with respect given to their last wishes. During such times, the holistic needs of the entire family are of special concern. Addressing the needs of the at-risk, shelter, food and safety are immediate objectives, but the long-term focus is to help others help themselves.
Initially two of Bill and Barbara’s daughters, Victoria Bonner and Valerie Swiatek served as Foundation Advisors and over the last several years Valerie’s daughter, Cassandra Swiatek, has also become involved as an advisor and with various charities. As Advisors of the
Family Foundation, we take our father/grandfather’s words to heart by actively participating with several of the organizations we support.
Emily Campbell, MBA, CFRE
About Emily Campbell, MBA, CFRE
Emily Campbell, MBA (2021), CFRE (since 2012), and AFP member since 2006, is currently in her tenth year serving as Director of Development at Columbus Academy. She has worked with donors and her team to spearhead a $1.7 million Annual Fund, advance major gift efforts, and create the school’s signature day of giving—now in its sixth year and amongst the largest for independent schools in the country. Prior to joining Columbus Academy, Emily worked at COSI for 13 years where she developed relationships between the science center and its corporate and foundation partners. An exemplary professional, she was AFP Central Ohio Chapter President in 2016, led its strategic planning in 2017, has served as a mentor since 2018, and is a periodic educational program presenter. Emily also enjoys supporting the missions of COSI, Denison University, American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, Mid-Ohio Food Collective, and her family’s church and schools. A Central Ohio native, Emily lives in Pickerington with her husband and three daughters.
Santino Carnevale
About Santino Carnevale
Fundraising
- Santino Carnevale has found himself within the cancer world the entirety of his life. In March 2006, just 10 days after Santino’s parents, Michael and Brooke found out they were expecting a child, his father was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma – a rare head and neck cancer. In 2015, at only 9 years old, Santino made the decision to stand up and do something in the fight against cancer. At such a young age he possessed a desire to help others going through similar battles. Santino began by organizing a lemonade stand and bake sale. Santino intended to help his father, as well as his grandfather, the late Franklin County Sheriff Jim Karnes, who passed away when Santino was 4 years old from pancreatic cancer.
- The first year of the lemonade stand, Santino’s efforts raised an astounding $5,000 and he has never looked back. Santino formed an initiative known as “Santino’s Crusade for a Cancer-Free World”. In addition to the lemonade stand and bake sale, Santino hosts an Ohio State Tailgate party in his hometown of West Jefferson, OH. His family, friends, and classmates have joined him in his efforts.
- Santino is widely known throughout The James as one of the youngest adolescents to establish a fund and is often referred to as “Santino, the Cancer Crusader”. Santino created the Head and Neck Cancer Strategic Support Fund at The OSUCCC-James in his father’s honor in 2015. Unfortunately, Michael succumbed to his long battle with cancer in the fall of 2016, but that hasn’t slowed Santino’s efforts in the least.
- Proceeds raised from Santino’s initiatives have exceeded over $135,000 for the Head and Neck Cancer Strategic Fund.
Academics
- 4.0 GPA
- Class vice-president
- Scholar athlete
Extracurricular
- Varsity Soccer
- Varsity Track
- Freshman Basketball
- Renaissance (Leadership) Class – to promote and improve our school culture
- A member of student council
Community
- Member of the James Ambassador Society at the OSUCCC-James and is the youngest member inducted into the society.
- Soccer referee for youth in West Jefferson
- Assistant coordinator for the West Jefferson Ox Roast
Awards & Recognition
- Received the 2018 Jefferson Award – to recognize individuals in their community who do extraordinary things in their community without expecting anything in return. To date, Santino is the youngest person in history to receive this prestigious award.
- Received the Leon Garrett Award – to the student who has demonstrated an above average GPA, outstanding leadership and involvement in community activities.
Received the Shining Star Awards – from the Sons of Italy to honor those “who make a difference.”
Rohini Desai Mulchandani, PhD
About Rohini Desai Mulchandani, PhD
Rohini Desai Mulchandani was born and raised in India and currently resides in Dublin, Ohio. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry/Physics from the University of Mumbai and came to the USA in 1964 for graduate studies in Food Science and Dairy Technology. She received her Master’s from Michigan State University and her doctorate from The Ohio State University. She had a fulfilling 18 year career at Ross Laboratories, a division of Abbott Laboratories, in Columbus, Ohio, and retired from R and D in 1998 as a Senior Research Scientist with 14 product introductions, 3 patents, 2 scientific papers and various technical awards, including the Abbott Presidential Award. Following retirement, she started her own small gourmet foods business that developed and marketed Indian inspired chutneys, snacks and baked goods, and a spice blend called Garam Masala. Her business and its products also garnered many awards, as well as the respect and friendship of her customers. She has also been featured on the PBS program “New American Short Stories”. Rohini has two daughters and four grandchildren.
For Rohini, “philanthropy is a matter of the heart, first and foremost, with the brain setting the course thereafter”. Her passions for giving lie with serving “the underdog” – helping deserving students to finance an education they can’t afford, victims of domestic violence and abusive relationships to regain their footing in life, animals who can’t advocate for themselves but whose lives and habitats are threatened by us humans and, as a food scientist, various aspects related to food, nutrition and entrepreneurship. The more she gives, the richer she feels! She has been a generous donor to MSU, OSU, Columbus State Community College, Choices, Ronald McDonald House, The Nature Conservancy of Ohio, Columbus Zoo and The Wilds. In 2019 an Indian one-horned rhino calf at The Wilds was named in her honor. “Rohini” (a name of Indian origin meaning “star” or “constellation”) was born on August 24, which happened to also be the human Rohini’s mother’s birthday, making the honor even more special.
Rohini Desai Mulchandani is both delighted and humbled by the recognition she is receiving on National Philanthropy Day 2022, and is very thankful to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium personnel for nominating her.
HOMAGE
About HOMAGE
HOMAGE creates comfortable clothing designed to tell the stories behind the moments, memories and teams you love. Connection is at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to support 77 non-profits and other like-minded organizations through our HOMAGE Works collection. Since 2020, we’ve helped raise over $700K and counting for causes vital to our community, and we continue to add more partners to our collection every year.
Columbus Gas of Ohio
About Columbia Gas of Ohio
History, Service Area, Customers
Columbia Gas of Ohio’s predecessor company was incorporated in 1906 and is headquartered in Columbus. We are the largest provider of natural gas services in the state. COH has 11 operational areas managed by six OCMs (Operations Center Manager), with the largest in Columbus, with around 550,000 homes and 2.13 million people in its metro area. (Click here for our service map.)
COH currently serves 1.45 million homes and businesses in 1,200 communities. COH operates in 61 of Ohio’s 88 counties. The company distribution system includes 20,000 miles of main, 130 miles of transmission line and 18,000 miles of service line. There are 3,200 regulator stations, PODs and town border stations across the state. The geographic terrain varies dramatically from tight metro areas in northwest, northeast and central Ohio to sparser, mountainous and hilly terrain to the east and south. TC Energy is COH’s main upstream supplier. Our five largest revenue producers are Toledo Refining Company, Linde Gas, Suburban Natural Gas, The Ohio State University and BP-Huske.
Employees: There are 2,284 employees in Ohio. 1,194 in Co. 34 (COH) and 1,090 in Co. 12 (Corporate). 780 report to the Arena building in Columbus. 359 employees have 20+ years of service, while 909 have less than five years. COH employees are represented in some of our service locations as follows: UWUA in Toledo (72 employees) ratified 1/20/22, St. Clairsville (14 employees) ratified 2/26/22, USW in Ironton (17 employees) ratified 11/30/21, Wintersville (12 employees) and East Liverpool (10 employees) contracts come due 5/1/22 (negotiations set for April 2022).
Financial Snapshot: In 2021, Ohio’s net revenue reached $786.6 million, with operating earnings of $246.8 million and a return on equity of 8.1 percent. For 2022, we have budgeted net revenue of $877.2 million, with operating earnings of $289.3 million and a return on equity of 8.8 percent.
Regulatory/Legislative Climate: COH is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), which comprises five commissioners appointed to rotating, five-year terms by the Governor. Politically, Republicans hold all five statewide offices (Governor Mike DeWine/Lt. Governor Jon Husted; Attorney General Dave Yost; Secretary of State Frank LaRose; Auditor Keith Faber; Treasurer Robert Sprague), Republicans hold supermajorities in both Ohio House (64-35) and Senate (25-8).
Major Initiative and Risks in 2022
- 2021 Rate Case (requested rate base of $3.54 billion, $221.4M rate increase requested (with previously recovered capital tracker revenue, the request is closer to $584.5 million). Anticipate Staff Report April 2022. Expected order 3rd Quarter 2022.
- Capital Trackers (combined $550M annual-CEP/IRP renewal requests pending, FMI initial request proposed and pending in the 2021 Rate Case)
- IRP (Infrastructure Replacement Program): 5-year renewals, majority of spend is for our Accelerated Mains Replacement Program (approximately 1,500 miles of 4,100 miles remain of bare steel, cast iron, and ineffectively coated steel (current pace expected completion 2033).
- CEP (Capital Expenditure Program): 5-year renewals, tracks and recovers all other capital beyond the IRP, primary growth, betterment, and maintenance capital.
- FMI (Federally Mandated Investment Rider): Requested in 2021 Rate Case, to track and recover capital and O&M spend associated with PHMSA Mega Rule compliance, and as needed, other federally and state-mandated required spend. The North Columbus High Pressure system is among the projects intended for this tracker.
- 2022 Operating budget (field and system operations) $90.4M, planning the expansion of Picarro program, right-of-way clearing, encroachments, AOCs
- Continuation of “We’re Here for You” customer outreach, initiated in COH in 2020 and expanded to all NiSource in 2021
- Intel project announced Jan 2022, the world’s largest digital chip manufacturing facility to be located in New Albany, OH and served by COH.
Athens Community Leadership Council - Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
About the Athens Community Leadership Council - Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
The Athens Community Leadership Council is a volunteer group existing for over 30 years to support the Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio health center in Athens, Ohio through fundraising, volunteering, event-planning, and more. In the past three years, amidst the COVID pandemic, they held two annual fundraising events, and played a huge role in supporting a third, raising over $150,000 for Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio.
Make a Tribute
Continue celebrating National Philanthropy Day and philanthropy year round with a unique way to recognize the NPD honorees and others who are making a difference in our nonprofit community every day. This year, YOU can celebrate the dedication of those front-line workers, volunteers, colleagues, and others by making a tribute.
