News Release
For Immediate Release
Media contact: Julio Marcial, TCWF
818/702-1900 or 818-744-0716 (cell)
HIP Honors Individuals, Businesses and Foundations for Outstanding Philanthropic Efforts in the Latino Community
Los Angeles, CA – January 31, 2007 – Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting philanthropy in the Latino community, will honor key individuals, corporations and foundations for outstanding service and charitable contributions to the Latino community and Latino nonprofit organizations at a gala celebration (Sunday, February 4 at 7 p.m. at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 90212).
Honorees include: Giselle Fernandez, philanthropist and journalist; Tony Plana, actor and artistic director for the East LA class theatre; Antonia Hernandez, president, California Community Foundation; Douglas X. Patiño, trustee, C.S. Mott Foundation and The California Wellness Foundation; Walt Disney Corporation; Washington Mutual; The Apoyo Fund of the Westchester Community Foundation; and the Rose Community Foundation. (See pages 2 and 3 of this release for honorees’ biographies)
Confirmed award presenters include the following actors: Jesse Borrego (“24,” “Fame,” “Con Air”); Cristián de la Fuente (The Class – CBS); Nicholas Gonzales (“The O.C.,” Resurrection Blvd., “Ugly Betty); Justina Machado (“Six Feet Under”); and Lupe Ontiveros (“Desperate Housewives,” “Luminarias,” and “Selena”).
"We are proud to honor innovative individuals, businesses and foundations whose work demonstrates commitment to transform Latino communities through philanthropic support." said Diana Campoamor, HIP president. “We hope others will be inspired to do the same.”
Gala attendees will include Latino donors, grantmakers and grantees of the Funders' Collaborative for Strong Latino Communities—a $50 million investment in small and medium-sized nonprofit organizations that serve Latinos—and influential business and civic leaders.
"It's incumbent on businesses and community organizations to actively take part in creating solutions that positively impact future generations," said Washington Mutual Vice President and Community Affairs Relationship Manager, Virginia M. Victorin. "We strongly believe that financial support, while critical, should be complemented with hands-on support."
HIP members share a passion for diversity, a commitment to social and economic justice, and an understanding that progress requires partnership. HIP sponsors regional, national and international conferences and briefings, research and publications, and professional development programs.
To purchase tickets for the event, visit www.hiponline.org.
HIP 2007 Honorees
Individual Donor Honorees
Giselle Fernandez One of television’s most seasoned journalists, Fernandez is president of her own production company, Skinny Hippo Productions, which develops film and television projects for English- and Spanish-language networks. Most recently, she competed on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” A board member of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Fernandez organized the “Noche de Niños” (Children’s Night) benefit and has helped raise more than $6 million for the hospital. She is also an active supporter of Revlon’s Run/Walk for Women, and a former spokesperson for Race for the Cure, an annual event benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Tony Plana Educated at Loyola Marymount University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in literature and theatre arts, Plana also received professional training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He currently stars as Ignacio Suarez, the widowed father of America Ferrera's Ugly Betty, in ABC's groundbreaking series. Plana is also the co-founder and executive artistic director of the East L.A. Classic Theatre, a group composed primarily of Latino theatre professionals. For the past decade, the East L.A. Classic Theatre has served the Latino community through educational outreach programs to primary and secondary schools, and bi-lingual productions of traditional and contemporary classics.
Corporate Philanthropy Honorees
The Walt Disney Company Nearly 60 years ago, under Walt and Roy Disney, the Walt Disney Company forged relationships with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program. In 2006, the company donated more than $190 million in cash, in-kind support and public service time. Disney VoluntEARS—employees who lend their time to outreach projects—contributed more than 442,000 hours of community service worldwide. Over the past five years, the company has donated $754 million and more than 2 million hours of time. The Walt Disney Company participates in three additional major charitable partnerships: Make-A-Wish Foundation®, Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, and First Book.
Washington Mutual Founded in 1889, Washington Mutual (WaMu) has continually provided a diversified line of products while earning a reputation for believing in and giving back to the community, minorities and education. In 2002, when employees contributed 200,000 volunteer hours, Washington Mutual was honored with the Points of Light Award for excellence in corporate community service. Recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the “50 Best Companies for Minorities,” Washington Mutual was also Fortune’s top-ranked company for innovation in 2004. WaMu continues its involvement in the community through grants, sponsorships, in-kind donations, paid employee volunteer time and other financial support.
Hispanics in Philanthropy
Page 3
Philanthropic Leader Honorees
Antonia Hernández, President, California Community Foundation Hernández is nationally recognized for her commitment to the betterment of underserved communities in Los Angeles. In February 2004, she became president and CEO of the California Community Foundation, one of the largest and most active philanthropic organizations in Southern California, which supports nonprofit and public institutions with funding for health and human services, early childhood education and other areas of need. Previously, Hernández was president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. An expert in civil rights and immigration issues, she serves on various commissions and advisory boards, including the Council on Foreign Relations and the Mexican American Bar Association of Los Angeles.
Douglas X. Patiño, Trustee, C.S. Mott Foundation and The California Wellness Foundation
Dr. Patiño is vice chancellor emeritus for the California State University system, responsible for policies, procedures and development of all areas of university advancement. Former president of the California State University Foundation and director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Dr. Patiño has also served as secretary of the California Health and Welfare Agency, and as director of the California Employment Development Department. He was founding president and CEO of the Marin Community Foundation in Larkspur, Calif. He currently serves as a board member of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation in Flint, Mich.; the Marguerite Casey Foundation in Seattle, Wash.; and The California Wellness Foundation in Woodland Hills, Calif.
Emerging Leader Honorees
The Apoyo Fund of the Westchester Community Foundation The Apoyo Fund was founded in 2002 to raise money to better equip and sustain not-for-profit programs and agencies serving the Latino community in Westchester, N.Y. These funds will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Hispanics In Philanthropy. As part of the Greater New York Regional Collaborative, The Apoyo Fund has played a pivotal role in raising more than $250,000. Over the next three years, the collaborative will give $500,000 to qualified agencies in the New York metropolitan area that assist this population.
Rose Community Foundation Rose Community Foundation serves the seven-county Greater Denver community with financial grants, program expertise, donor development, and community leadership. Grantmaking is focused in five program areas: Aging; Child and Family Development; Education; Health; and Jewish Life. Since its inception in 1995, the foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $113 million.