5th Annual Handy L. Lindsey, Jr. Award & Lecture

2007 marks the 5th Anniversary of the Handy L. Lindsey, Jr. Award & Lecture on Inclusiveness in Philanthropy (Award & Lecture), hosted by Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy (CAAIP) and Donors Forum. Since the Award & Lecture began in 2003, it has become one of philanthropy’s most prestigious and rewarding affairs. Students have received scholarships to support their career path in philanthropy, and we have had the opportunity to recognize and honor several members of the local philanthropic community who have demonstrated a commitment to inclusiveness in the field.

Handy L. Lindsey, Jr. received the inaugural award for his leadership and unwavering dedication as a champion for racial and ethnic diversity and inclusiveness in the field of philanthropy. Mr. Lindsey, currently president of the Cameron Foundation in Petersburg, Virginia, has spent more than twenty years in professional philanthropy. He served as executive director and treasurer of the Field Foundation of Illinois from 1988-1997 and served as president from 1997-2003. Prior to that, he was assistant director of the Chicago Community Trust.

From 1983 to 1986, he was senior staff associate, then executive director of the Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services. He has also worked as a consultant to the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and the corporate contributions program of Illinois Bell Telephone (the predecessor of Ameritech).
Mr. Lindsey was instrumental in the development of the East St. Louis Community Foundation, where he served as interim executive director in 1985-6. One of few African Americans to hold top leadership positions in philanthropy, Mr. Lindsey broke barriers in the field and has been regarded in the Chicago community over the years as a mentor and a catalyst for diversity and inclusiveness in the field. In establishing the annual Lindsey Award & Lecture, CAAIP saw it as a fitting tribute to a dedicated colleague, mentor and friend.

By recognizing Mr. Lindsey and other leaders in philanthropy in this way, CAAIP recognizes personal leadership, and promotes regular public dialogue on an issue that matters deeply to the philanthropic community. As the region's only event celebrating inclusiveness in philanthropy, the Lindsey Award & Lecture also spotlights the need for leadership and action around inclusiveness, hopefully elevating the importance of the issue and catalyzing action and conversation around strengthening philanthropy's commitment to inclusiveness practices at all levels.

Past recipients of the Handy L. Lindsey, Jr. Award & Lecture on Inclusiveness in Philanthropy include:
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (2007)
Aurie A. Pennick (2006)
Nicholas Goodban (2005)
Cleo F. Wilson (2004)
Handy L. Lindsey Jr. (2003)

In addition to honoring an individual in philanthropy, CAAIP expanded the breadth of the Award & Lecture by establishing a scholarship at Loyola University’s Center for Urban Research and Learning’s Philanthropy & Nonprofit Sector Graduate Certificate Program for students from underrepresented communities. To date, two students have received scholarships and successfully completed the program. Both have secured jobs in the nonprofit, philanthropic community (one student works with Trinity Wall Street in New York as grants manager, the other is employed locally at Center for Economic Progress as director of financial programs.