Philanthropist of the Year Award
The Northern California Planned Giving Council Philanthropist of the Year Award honors individuals who have an established record of exceptional generosity and through planned giving have demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable responsibility. Nominees must have made a planned gift that has benefited one or more Bay Area charities. This is an opportunity to select someone that through planned giving, modest, unknown individuals can make significant contributions that truly make a difference.
RECOGNITION
Recipients of this award are honored at the annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon held by the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Golden Gate Chapter in November.
Leonard Ely was a philanthropic visionary, pervasive supporter of our nonprofit partners and an example for ensuring the long-term positive future of our community. His many years of consistent and generous gifts to areas of need such as health, arts, children’s education, environment, housing and family services were a model for the community. While his planned giving activities were extensive, they pale in comparison to the active philanthropy too long to list here. His leadership and vision inspired the common good and community participation. In 1989 Mr. Ely gave the initial and largest portion of the pooled income fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation, encouraging his colleagues to incorporate their philanthropic goals with their estate planning. In order to ensure Silicon Valley’s positive future, Mr. Ely designed his philanthropy to last for many years to come. In 1980 Mr. Ely was dubbed “The Million Dollar Man” for his assistance in fundraising one million dollars for the endowment at Silicon Valley Community Foundation. As the endowment and legacy donation champion of the Palo Alto Community Fund, he remains its most generous donor and was their most active fundraising volunteer. Some of his planned giving beneficiaries include Stanford University, The Peninsula Stroke Association and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Those who were close to Mr. Ely will tell you that he was an ardent advocate of planned giving as an effective and fulfilling expression of generosity and community support. Leonard Ely passed away on April 29, 2011 at the age of 87 at Stanford University Hospital.
