News

Community Foundation honors top philanthropist

Shirley McGee (right) presents the 2017 Sauer Award to Bernd and Toby Linder.

By Bill Moss, Published: August 24, 2017

FLAT ROCK — Bernd and Toby Linder were honored with the 2017 Richard C. and Vina L. Sauer Charitable Leadership Award during the Henderson County Community Foundation's annual celebration of the power of giving Thursday at Kenmure Country Club.

“This year’s recipients can be described as truly benevolent,” CFHC Board Director and Recognition Committee Chair Shirley McGee said during the Sauer Award presentation. “They use their talents, gifts and personal involvement in every aspect of our community in order to heal our world.”
The Linders selflessly contribute to over 25 different nonprofit organizations in Henderson County. Bern Linder is a past board member of the Community Foundation and currently serves on the investment committee. Toby Linder enjoys supporting education by serving on the CFHC scholarship committee. They are strong advocates of human services, education, and early intervention and prevention. They frequently collaborate on projects with Henderson County Public Schools and the Children and Family Resource Center.
“They are very thoughtful in their approach to philanthropy,” McGee said of the Linders. “Diligently planning their giving throughout the year and using their skills and expertise to make a difference behind the scenes.”
Sauer Award Winners are distinguished philanthropic leaders in our community. Past recipients include Phyllis C. Rothrock, Ruth Birge, Thos. R. Shepherd, Mary R. Garrison, Dr. Stuart and Carola Cohn, Marian P. Lowry, Teddi Segal, Robert and Doris Eklund, the Dr. Kathleen McGrady Family, Jeff Miller, Duane and Peggy McKibbin, Dot Marlow, Dr. Colin Thomas, Frank Byrd, Tom and Sue Fazio, Eleanora Meloun, Marcia Caserio, William "Bill" F. Stokes, Jr., William E. "Jamie" Jamison, Kermit Edney, Morris Kaplan, Kenneth Youngblood, and Frank Wyttenbach Ewbank.

The award is named for Richard C. and Vina L. Sauer, who supported many local charities during their lifetimes and then left the first $1 million unrestricted gift to the Community Foundation through their will. The endowment, along with other gifts, provides resources to numerous causes throughout Henderson County.

Community Foundation Chair Les Boyd III emphasized the importance of transforming personal passions into philanthropic legacies. “What makes each moment of giving so powerful,” Les said, “is the personal passion and story behind the philanthropy. At CFHC we are stewards of people’s legacies but we are also stewards of people’s stories.”

More than 86 percent of funds at CFHC are endowed, meaning that they will grow more resources over time, now and forever.

CFHC President/CEO McCray V. Benson reported that more than $3 million in charitable grants were awarded through CFHC in 2016. The Community Foundation received more than $1.8 million in contributions this past fiscal year, and total assets reached a record $97.4 million.

The foundation thanked Steve A. Green, Jaime Laughter and Pam Rogers, who recently completed their terms with the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors, and welcomed new members Jimmy Cowan, Stan Duncan and Kevin Parries.

Young philanthropist Jake Youngblood described his experience participating in My Family in Philanthropy. My Family in Philanthropy builds a family legacy of giving. The program introduces children to philanthropy, assist families in developing a long-term philanthropic plan and encourages children and adults to donate their time, talent and treasure to local non-profit organizations.

“Philanthropy actually means sharing your talents, your time and your treasures.” Jake explained. “It’s about helping others and in turn helping yourself, because when you perform philanthropy it makes you feel better. It makes you feel like you are part of something bigger.”

Boyd and Summer Stipe, executive director of the Education Foundation, announced the joint community initiative The Leader in Me, a program to raise students' confidence and assist teachers. In Henderson County, four elementary schools are currently participating in the Leader in Me program, or will participate in the 2017-18 school year. CFHC is committing over $150,000 over the next 5 years to bring more schools onboard in this countywide education transformation.

Keynote speakers Will and Deni McIntyre shared how their personal passions and history inspired their philanthropic story. Throughout their careers as photographers and filmmakers, they traveled through 78 different countries. The McIntyres recently produced the second-season of the award winning David Holt’s State of Music on PBS.

Founded in 1982, Community Foundation of Henderson County’s mission is helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter. CFHC accepts gifts from individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create a permanent pool of charitable capital from which grants are awarded. Learn more about Community Foundation of Henderson County at www.cfhcforever.org, at the Community Foundation’s Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and by calling (828) 697-6224.