The Vermont Community Foundation was pleased to present two new philanthropy awards at its 27th Annual Meeting Thursday, September 12 at the Woodstock Inn & Resort, which was attended by more than 350 people. Carl Ferenbach received the Excellence in Philanthropy Award, and Louise Sjobeck of Randolph Center and Chandler Center for the Arts together received the Community Impact Award.
The Excellence in Philanthropy Award was established to honor a Foundation fundholder who demonstrates a passionate commitment to Vermont communities by collaborating with others to increase the impact of their giving, and who helps shape the future of philanthropy through their legacy giving. Inaugural award recipient Carl Ferenbach and his wife Judy established the High Meadows Fund at the Foundation in 2003, and in the last decade, the Fund’s collaborative and strategic support has helped promote vibrant communities, a healthy environment, and long-term economic vitality in the state. During his acceptance speech, Carl noted, “Everything that we do in this world is a collaboration. We work with others to make good things happen, and there is no credit to one individual.”
The Foundation established the Community Impact Award to honor the relationship between one of its fundholders and a nonprofit organization they support in their community. Says Loiuse Sjobeck, this year’s fundholder award recipient, “I was richly blessed to have generous and community-minded parents in John and Elyza Alexander. I am forever grateful to them. Their legacy has allowed me to help others, which truly makes my heart sing.” And Becky McMeekin, executive director of Chandler, the nonprofit award recipient, says, “Building relationships, which is sometimes hard, is central to the work of a community arts organization. With somebody like Louise, who really understands what we do in the community, it’s a joy.”
