Archford Capital Strategies announces 2017 ‘Archford Angels’ philanthropy project winners
Swansea-based independent wealth management firm Archford Capital Strategies has announced the results of its philanthropic initiative “Archford Angels,” which challenged the firm’s team members to impact a local charity of their choice.
The effects on the team and the charities are astounding, the company’s founder said.
“The idea for Archford Angels began in August 2016, as we looked to address one of our firm’s core values, which we term ‘shared success,’” said Archford CEO & Founder, Jim Maher. “The concept was simple and straightforward: to empower each employee in our organization to go out into the community to engage with their chosen charity. Little did we know just how much of an impact we would create.”
Each Angel was given $1,000 and sent out into the community tasked with making the biggest impact possible. A total of $206,000 in monetary donations, gifts and grants have been received and more than 400 service hours were completed by 15 Angels. Additionally, one needy child was able to participate in a beloved baseball program; two tutoring scholarships were awarded; new education and athletic facilities have been created; 40 project guides were requested; a nearly completed café’ and resource closet for less fortunate and overall systems were created and are in-place to increase funding.
An evaluation by the Archford advisory board has determined the winners. Three additional grants in the amounts of $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500 have been made toward the best projects with the known objectives of developing a sustainable project, creating tangible impact, and the Angel growing personally from the experience.
Marnie Deschaine and Project Compassion won the $2,500 grant, Kim Noltkamper and Caritas Family Solutions/The Resource Center has won the $5,000 grant and Craig Toberman and The Family Hospice / Heartlinks Grief Center has won $10,000.
“Project Compassion is extremely grateful for the support of the Archford Angels and Marnie Deschaine,” said Rachel Jackson, executive director at Project Compassion. “This has been an amazing journey and the grant will assist us in making the final steps to opening the Compassionate Café.”
“The Archford Angels program has been instrumental in developing the Caritas Family Solutions Resource Center. The dedication from our Archford Angel Kim Noltkamper and the $5,000 grant from Archford will allow us to continue building stronger foundations for our clients,” said Ashlee Lambert, development manager with Caritas Family Solutions.
“Heartlinks Grief Center at Family Hospice is excited and grateful that Craig Toberman chose us to be a part of the Archford Angels program,” said Diana Cuddeback Heartlinks director. “It takes money to help a non-profit provide service but that is not enough, it takes the energy, knowledge and enthusiasm of community partners like Craig and Archford to create a healthy community of neighbors supporting neighbors, and for that, we are so thankful.”
“We knew this would be a successful initiative which has not only resulted in an increased awareness of 15 charities and in a spirited competition within our team but promoted two other local companies to start a similar initiative within their organization, fostering the goodwill and spirit we were hoping to create,” says Maher. “We cannot wait for next year’s Angel project.”
Visit www.archfordcapital.com.
— The Illinois Business Journal
