Edward Lewis and William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust receive philanthropy awards
The vice chancellor for advancement and one of the university’s most generous donors have both been honored with National Philanthropy Day Awards bestowed by the Triad Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Edward J. Lewis III, who has led UNCSA’s advancement efforts since 2015, was named the 2020 Outstanding Fundraising Professional, and the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust was named Outstanding Philanthropic Organization for Winston-Salem.
Vice Chancellor for Advancement Edward Lewis
National Philanthropy Day, held annually on Nov. 15, celebrates charitable activities in the form of donated financial, in-kind and volunteering support.
The Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award is given to career fundraisers with at least a decade of experience, whose leadership exemplifies ethical and effective professional practice and whose performance enhances the philanthropic resources of the organization which he or she serves. Lewis has provided leadership for the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in the university’s history. Powering Creativity: The Campaign for UNCSA was launched publicly in September 2019 with an initial goal of $65 million. In April 2020, the campaign exceeded its goal. The effort will continue until June 2021.
Before coming to UNCSA, Lewis served as senior director of development at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he provided strategic direction for a comprehensive fundraising program for one of the nation’s leading university presenting programs. A violist, Lewis holds degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Michigan; he also attended the University of Maryland School of Music, where he studied chamber music with the Guarneri String Quartet. As a professional musician, Lewis performed with the Dallas Opera Orchestra, the Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Santa Fe Pro Musica and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.
“Ed was identified in a CapDev executive search, and we were impressed with him from the very beginning,” said Clare Jordan, director of marketing and philanthropic engagement for Capital Development Services, which nominated Lewis for the award. “His professionalism, his attention to detail, and his deep experience with the performing arts world make him a very effective messenger for the values and mission of UNCSA. He has built an exceptional team, elevated the profile of UNCSA in the community, and done the hard research and capacity-building work that has helped the university take so many important steps forward over the last five years.”
Chancellor Brian Cole said, “We are thankful for the leadership of Ed Lewis, whose contributions to the university cannot be overstated. We are also deeply grateful to have an organization like the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust as a friend and partner. They have a unique model for awarding grants dedicated to promoting systemic change, solving problems at the root and creating thriving communities where the arts and education are valued.”
We are thankful for the leadership of Ed Lewis, whose contributions to the university cannot be overstated. We are also deeply grateful to have an organization like the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust as a friend and partner.
Chancellor Brian Cole
Based in Chapel Hill, the trust provides grants and other charitable support for organizations involved in education, the arts, and other “basic human needs.” Last year, the trust pledged $5 million in support to the Kenan Excellence Scholars enabling UNCSA to increase the number of student scholarships awarded annually from 12 to 20. Established in 2005, the program provides in-state tuition, fees, and room and board for four years of study at UNCSA, with a focus on first-generation and minority students.
The Kenan Trust’s philanthropy is not reserved for UNCSA alone. In 2019, the trust made nearly $30 million in grants to organizations throughout the United States, including nearly $12 million devoted to community health, approximately $7 million each to higher education and birth to 12th-grade education, nearly $4 million to arts and culture, and $675,000 to historic preservation.
Recipients of the awards were honored at a virtual event, which can be viewed on the AFP Triad Chapter’s website.
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November 24, 2020