Philanthropy Lies at the Heart of Human Greatness V2

Dear Readers:

We are fortunate to live in a very generous, philanthropy-focused, volunteer-oriented community.

Cincinnati fights way above its weight class when it comes to quality of life and human services, and that is possible because of the extraordinary generosity and voluntary leadership of the many compassionate, engaged people who live and work here.

Consider, for example, the high caliber of our arts and cultural organizations. We have the encyclopedic Cincinnati Art Museum, the Taft Museum that offers the classics and the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC), one of the first modern art institutions in the United States. And we have the exceptional Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, one of only 15 remaining full-time symphony orchestras in our country.

We have these hugely thriving, quality arts and culture organizations because people here are generous; when asked, they give. When asked, they take the lead.

Skystone Partners believes that philanthropy lies at the heart of human greatness. Committed to philanthropy and to expanding its influence here and around the world, we look at fundraising as a noble profession. As such, our role as consultants is to help nonprofit organizations increase their value to society through philanthropy. In addition to arts and cultural organizations, we establish partnerships with civic and community organizations, colleges and universities, hospitals and other health agencies, and social service organizations, and many other nonprofits.

We help charitable organizations maximize their already-strong aspects. In other words, nonprofits seek our help at important junctures in their development, when they are about to embark upon something remarkable they’ve never done before. We offer an array of services, including studies and assessments, capital campaigns, annual funds and strategic planning. Through our coaching, training, mentoring and ongoing education of staff, and through directing and guiding volunteer leaders, we help organizations develop to their full potential, enhancing their capacity to help themselves and, as a result, help and enrich others and the world we share.

Beginning with the spring issue of Venue, and continuing with our second phase in this issue of Venue, we are proud to highlight, over the course of this year, two dozen philanthropic leaders and nonprofit organizations committed to enriching life in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky community. At the same time, I think, we are all philanthropists. It’s the way we encounter the world. Philanthropy is an attitude of kindness, a heart of generosity; it’s offering to help someone put their bag on the shuttle at the airport.

Every generation brings its own unique mark to philanthropy. While the way people give their time, talents and treasure may be changing, I believe the benevolent heartbeat of philanthropy will remain

the same.

Thanks for reading.

Elizabeth Kohler Knuppel

President & CEO

Skystone Partners

Otto M. Budig Jr.

Chairman, Budco Group, Inc.

"I think the bottom line here is that, through philanthropy, we have an opportunity to make life a little better, a little more engaging and a little more fulfilling for people who are interested in moving outside of themselves, and in our instance, into the arts," says Otto M. Budig Jr., Chairman of Budco Group, Inc.

Budig, an experienced businessman and philanthropist, is renowned for his generosity and commitment to the arts. The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park helped to invigorate Budig’s passion for arts organizations.

"Many years ago, there was a fellow by the name of Sam Huttenbauer, who asked me to the Queen City Club for lunch. During the course of the conversation, he suggested that I provide a sponsorship for one of the plays at the Playhouse. I asked how much it was, he said $25,000, and I said, ‘I’ve never given that kind of money to anyone, for anything, in my entire life. But I will do it under the assumption that I can be a part of the board.’ I recognized, tangentially, that the Playhouse was in a lot of fiscal trouble," says Budig.

"Kathleen Norris was the individual who was responsible for trying to make the budget make ends meet, and it was very difficult. At that time, there was a change in administration, and she was replaced by Ed Stern. After my sponsorship, I asked Ed how many things $5,000 or below he needed, and I would take care of all of them. Then, I wanted to know the number of things that he needed $5,000 or above for, and I took care of them. I was so enraptured by the results of his work and the good that it did. It led me down a path, and I have been involved ever since."

Budig has an impressive philanthropic roster, pulling many arts organizations out of dire financial distress. His achievements include such locations as The Carnegie, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Cincinnati Music Hall.

"I think the conversion of which I am most proud is The Carnegie Theater in Covington, Kentucky. I was brought into The Carnegie by a dear friend who wanted me to fund the work of an architect. At that point, the entire complex was in danger of being razed. The theater was a $2 million project. The state of the theater was tragic. But I said, ‘We have to do this, because this is the place – the only place – that Northern Kentucky has for the evolvement of the arts.’ So, one thing led to another, and the theater is now flourishing," says Budig.

"It is, without a question, the most satisfying project that I’ve ever had. Following that, of course, there is always the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Cincinnati Music Hall, The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Theater, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park…those are all important projects to me, and I would like to think important projects for the community. When I find a need in the arts to fill, I do whatever is necessary to fix it."

Budig believes that we all have a part to play in investing in the future of the arts in Cincinnati and has faith in our community’s commitment and passion.

"The fact that our community is so generous, and so responsive, and so interested in making certain that they – for organizations as large as the Cincinnati Symphony or as small as the Mariemont Players – have a fiscal stake in their success…it’s wonderful. It really is remarkable."

Rosemary Schlachter

Owner, 25th Hour

"I think philanthropy is a way of life," says Rosemary Schlachter, owner of 25th Hour, a fundraising firm based in Cincinnati. Schlachter is heavily involved in the community, having served as President of the Cincinnati Symphony Association and Chairman of the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Enjoy the Arts and Madcap Boards of Directors.

"I met Cincinnati’s philanthropic community in the late ’60s. So, for decades, I’ve watched these people as models of philanthropy, and their main objective in life was making the world better. That’s really what they lived for – and they were stellar, beautiful people. Who wouldn’t want to be like that?

"So, communicating that to donors is a privilege, really. And our job is to communicate what an opportunity being philanthropic is. It’s an opportunity to develop generosity of spirit. And those are the most wonderful people – those who have generous spirits," says Schlachter. "Philanthropy is for everybody. There’s a great joy to be had in helping, and I think everybody should experience that."

25th Hour is located at 2335 Beechcreek Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45233. For more information, call 513.922.5047.

Murray Sinclaire Jr.

Founder, Ross, Sinclaire & Associates

"I think Cincinnatians are uniquely generous beyond their capacity. Here, people give ‘till it hurts," says Murray Sinclaire Jr. "It’s been a great place to raise three kids."

Sinclaire, founder of Ross, Sinclaire & Associates, is a philanthropist who has given back to the city of Cincinnati. He serves on the board of the Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati Public Radio, and is involved with ArtWorks, The Cincinnati Art Museum, Music Hall and more.

"One of the organizations I’ve been associated with for a long time is ArtWorks and the breakfast they do every year with the kids. It’s very moving to see kids who would not otherwise have the opportunity to do much during the summer have the chance to get out and interact with real artists and do something that they can step back and see.

"The other side, to me, of philanthropy is not only the obvious stuff like supporting good causes and giving back, but it’s also the people you meet…it’s not only the cause you’re supporting, but also the camaraderie and the personal aspects that make Cincinnati a home."

Ross, Sinclaire & Associates is located at 700 Walnut Street, Suite 600, Cincinnati, OH 45202. For more information, call 800.543.1831 or visit www.rsanet.com.

Barbara Gould

Community Volunteer

"I don’t think of [philanthropy], I just do it. I don’t understand how one does not wish to assist in making the world a better place," says Barbara Gould. "So, there’s sometimes small efforts, sometimes medium, sometimes large, but by whose measure is an effort small, medium or large? Because if you’re able to help one individual, you’ve changed a life. You’ve changed the way they feel about themselves and the world around them."

A self-described community volunteer, Gould is an influential philanthropist in Cincinnati who is currently on the board of Talbert House and Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Foundation, as well as many other organizations. In the past, she has served on the board of the Ohio Arts Council, the Cincinnati Arts Association and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, among others.

"[Philanthropy] is that moment when you recognize it is within your power, perhaps briefly, or for an extended time, to make a difference. God did not allow me to have children of my own. So, I said, ‘Fair enough.’ Then I’ll take all the children of the world as my own. I’ve been able to watch some get older, and perhaps my helping them helped others."

Gould, a philanthropist herself, understands how valuable money and funded resources can be in shaping a movement. But she also understands the importance of community and human connections.

"I think it’s wonderful that people are able to write checks. Because almost every cause is a good cause, at least for someone, at some point. But if you’re not able to write a check, you’re able to perhaps make something, or be a part of the volunteer, hands-on effort."

Gould has always believed in social justice and that, "We are all equal, each with our own gifts to give. The most important word to me in dealing with people is ‘respect.’ Perhaps smiling and saying, ‘Hello,’ might change someone’s entire outlook for the day.

"I was raised by a very definite father who taught us, ‘Judge not by the amount of money someone has, the grandness of their house, car, or what they’re wearing. Judge them not by their race, ethnicity, creed or politics, but by the content of their character. Respect shown is respect given, and you earn that respect – it cannot be bought.’"