“The neat thing about Chattanooga is its culture of giving,” says Katie Harbison, one of the organizers of the National Philanthropy Day luncheon at the Convention Center this month. “There are so many great companies, families and individuals who dedicate hours of their time and a substantial portion of their income to nonprofits in Chattanooga.”
In recognition of such efforts, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Southeast Tennessee chapter will honor some of the city’s top philanthropists at its Nov. 10 event. Nominated by their peers, this year’s honorees include Dr. Joseph Jackson and Professor Mary Jackson as outstanding philanthropists, Bill Wilder as the outstanding fundraiser, and Unum and Carrabba’s as the large and small corporate philanthropists of the year.
Joseph Jackson is the former Dean of UTC’s Lupton Library while his wife, Mary, founded the university’s nursing program. “Academically speaking, they really laid the foundation for programs that we’re so proud of at the university today,” says Emily Geyer, director of development for annual giving at the university. But their generous contributions to the school, both in personal gifts and endowed scholarship and faculty development funds, are the catalyst for their recognition.
“Chattanooga has a culture of philanthropy, but UTC might be a little behind the curve,” adds Geyer. “We have so many worthy nonprofits in the city that many alumni forget UTC also needs their support.”
While giving remains strong in the city, area nonprofits are not immune to the universal belt tightening of the past few years. How the economy impacts fundraising, notes Harbison, depends on the nonprofit. “Each sector has seen a change,” she says. Fundraising efforts at her Children’s Home-Chambliss Shelter are slightly off. “We haven’t seen our supporters not giving,” she adds, “but they have given slightly less in hope that next year they can give again at whatever level is comfortable.”