Coachella Valley's 2022 National Philanthropy Day honorees announced
The Coachella Valley is fortunate to have hundreds of active nonprofits, fundraisers, volunteers and benefactors within its 303 square miles. Even throughout the ndemic, many of these heroes went above and beyond to reach the most underserved communities, profoundly supporting the desert with their giving hearts.
On Friday, the Association of Fundraising Professionals CA, Desert Communities (AFP) chapter honored 72 nominees and announced the 16th Annual National Philanthropy Day in the Desert (NPD) honorees. AFP President Kristin Bloomer and NPD Chair Josh N. Zahid celebrated the distinguished honorees’ love for humanity and loyal service in true Oscar-style. This year’s honorees include:
Outstanding Philanthropist: Patti Grundhofer
For two decades, Grundhofer has generously bestowed wisdom, countless hours and financial contributions to 25 local nonprofits including Animal Samaritans, Mama’s House, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, United Way of the Desert, Joslyn Center, Eisenhower Desert Orthopedic Center and The Living Desert.
Outstanding Nonprofit Founder: Lindi Biggi
Founder of Loving All Animals, Biggi has demonstrated vision, dedication and tenacity in working with valley animal rescue centers to put an end to euthanizing animals. She also proudly supports ACT For MS, Eisenhower Circle of Stars and The Living Desert.
Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer: CJ Westrick-Bomar Esq.
Westrick-Bomar’s volunteerism spans 15+ years of raising awareness for various organizations including Tools for Tomorrow, Eisenhower Health Dolores Hope Auxiliary, McCallum Theatre Muses, The Waring International Piano Competition, Loving All Animals, Coachella Valley Alumnae Panhellenic, College of the Desert Academic Angels, ACT for MS and Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.
Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation, Corporation or Civic/Service Organization: Caritas Realty
Justin and Lanay Berry created Caritas Realty to join their love for helping clients and local charities by giving 15% of their net commissions to clients’ charity of choice. Donations have supported American Red Cross, Animal Samaritans, Autism Society Inland Empire, Coachella Valley Autism Society, Desert Elite Football Club, Desi Strong Foundation, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire, Mama’s House, Martha’s Village & Kitchen, Olive Crest, Palm Springs Animal Shelter, Palm Springs SunUp Rotary Club, SafeHouse of the Desert, Variety - the Children’s Charity of the Desert, Well in the Desert and Children of Armenia Fund.
Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy: Leaders in Training, Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City
Developed as a way to actively involve youths in their community, the Leaders in Training program guides teens to adopt character values that prepare them for adulthood and improve their community.
Outstanding Fundraising Professional: Brian Daly
Daly serves as director of major gifts for the American Red Cross Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin where he makes a meaningful impact in the lives of local families. As immediate past president for AFP, he also supports March for Our Lives, AIDS/Lifecycle, Rainbow Railroad and St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.
National Philanthropy Day in the Desert will be presented Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. by emcee Patrick Evans from KESQ News Channel 3 at the beautiful Renaissance Esmeralda in Indian Wells.
“National Philanthropy Day honors our community’s philanthropic heroes who give so generously of their time, skills, talents and financial support,” Bloomer said. “Since 2007, we have paid tribute to 88 individuals and organizations whose fundraising passions improved the quality of life in the Coachella Valley and beyond. We are proud to be a Ten Star Chapter where our members are committed to bringing forward the positive change necessary to build strong, vibrant and healthy communities.”
The NPD Awards committee that reviewed the nominations was chaired by Heidi Maldoon, Angela Allen, Bloomer, Daly, Armando Ehrenzweig and Zahid.
“We are impressed by the inventive and inspiring efforts of our valley’s nonprofits, volunteers and philanthropists,” said Kelly Levy, Blue Ribbon Selection committee chair. Committee members included Betty Callies, Walter Clark, Jill Golden, Jan Pye, Dawn Rashid and Solange Signoret.
Nominations for Outstanding Fundraising Professional were compiled by AFP’s Gold Ribbon Selection committee and voted on by AFP Members. The effort was chaired by 2021 recipient Gailya Brown and included past honorees Liz Chambers, Judi Olivas, Tim Evans, Terri Bona, Jan Hawkins, Louise Cummings, Scott Schroeder and Colette Murray.
Sponsors for National Philanthropy Day thus far include Peggy Cravens, Bank of America, College of the Desert Foundation, Eisenhower Health, First Foundation Bank, H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation, Inland Empire Community Foundation, Loma Linda University Health and Palm Springs Pathfinders. Special thanks to NPD’s exclusive TV media sponsor KESQ News Channel 3, presenting magazine and virtual media sponsor Palm Springs Life, presenting newspaper and digital media sponsor The Desert Sun and LOCALiQ. NPD sponsorship committee is chaired by Daly, Bloomer, James Lindquist, Schroeder, Kathrene Wales and Zahid.
For information on sponsorship, becoming an AFP member or attending NPD, contact Zahid at jnzahid@llu.edu, call 909-226-1085 or visit afpcadesert.org.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coachella Valley's 2022 National Philanthropy Day honorees announced
