Recognizing Legacy and Innovation in Philanthropy

The Legacy of Leadership Awards recognizes Philanthropy Southwest Foundation members and individuals from across the Southwest region, in celebration of their spirit of leadership, legacy, and innovation. Award candidates were reviewed, and recipients are selected by the Legacy of Leadership Awards Committee, a PSW volunteer committee.

Nominations are now being taken for this year's Legacy of Leadership Awards and the winners will be recognized at this year’s Annual Conference during the Celebration of Philanthropy closing dinner.

CLICK HERE FOR THE NOMINATION FORM

(Scroll to the bottom of this page for a pdf version of the nominations form to preview the questions.)

Applications close on August 19, 2023, and winners will be announced on September 13, 2023.

 

2022 Award Recipients

Pillar of Philanthropy Award	Groundbreaker Award	Trailblazer Award
Awarded to a Philanthropy Southwest individual foundation member who understands the value of collaboration & has shown long-term commitment to the philanthropic sector	Awarded to a Philanthropy Southwest individual foundation member focusing on innovation and excellence during their career	Awarded to a Philanthropy Southwest individual foundation member staff or trustee who has provided a strong voice for philanthropy

 

 

Pillar of Philanthropy Award Recipient - Lenny Krasnow

The 2022 Pillar of Philanthropy Award recipient is Leonard “Lenny” Krasnow. Since 2001, Lenny has served as President of the M.B. and Edna Zale Foundation where under his leadership, the Foundation assets have grown from $24 million to $39.5 million, and grant payments have doubled to $1.4 million. He’s been part of the PSW Board of Directors for six years  where he currently serves on the PSW Audit and Finance Committee, and is Chair of the Investments Subcommittee.

Lenny extensive involvement in various philanthropic boards and organizations have led to impactful strategy and support for communities across Texas. His deep involvement in the Jewish community has helped shape the direction of the Austin Jewish Family Service Emergency Financial Assistance Program as well as helped shape their 10-year strategic plan for growth. At the Texas Hillel Foundation, he supported the endowment grow to over $1.5 million, ensuring that Jewish Longhorns have a place to call home for years to come.

 

 

Groundbreaker Award Recipient - Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust

The 2022 Groundbreaker Award recipient is Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. Continuing the proud work of Virginia Piper’ legacy as a major supporter of the Arts, nearly all of the Trust’s $116 million grantmaking history in Arts and Culture has supported the business and operational needs of the creative sector.

During the pandemic, Piper Trust was one of the few funders that maintained their level of support of core institutions in the Phoenix area, but also acted promptly and differently to the devasting impact of the pandemic. In 2020/2021, they awarded more than $43 million emergency grants (nearly twice its usual annual payout) in unrestricted grants to human services organizations serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; and museums, after-school arts programs, and cultural institutions that focus on children and youth.

In 2021, the Trust awarded an additional $141 million including a continuation of both scheduled grant payments and COVID response and more than $123 million (100% of investment earnings in the first 15 months of the pandemic) in surprise grants to 71 grantee partners. This “Now is the Moment” grant commemoration provided significant capital that will strengthen organizations and help secure their futures.

 

 

Trailblazer Award Recipient - Judy C. Quisenberry

The 2022 Legacy of Leadership Trailblazer recipient is Judy Quisenberry. Judy has a passion to educate and incorporate collaboration in her community where she has become a highly sought-out speaker on the topic. Judy has a passion to educate community leaders and strategize how to build a broadband plan through regional collaboration.  She has helped to build a valley-wide coalition of key stakeholders and is leading the effort to put together a regional broadband partnership and collaborative.

Judy has served as the Co-Chair of the Texas Behavioral Health Funders Collaborative since 2017, and recently joined the Strategic Planning Committee for the Texas Rural Funders collaborative. She is a former PSW Board member serving from 2015 through 2018, where she served on the Annual Conference Committee and was a session designer.

 

 

2021 Legacy of Leadership Award Winners:

Pillar of Philanthropy Award Recipient - Christian Keesee, Kirkpatrick Family Fund, Oklahoma City, OK

Groundbreaker Award Recipient - Episcopal Health Foundation, Houston, TX

Trailblazer Award Recipient - Antoinette Malveaux, Casey Family Programs, Seattle, WA