2006 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Presented to Marvin Conney
KCET/Los Angeles
Wisconsin Public Television
Nomination Narrative:
Marv Conney defines the word philanthropist. He devotes his precious time, money and inspiration for the better good of his two communities and two public television stations. He has a true passion for public television and his energy is felt by everyone who has the luck to work with him. He is one of those rare individuals who inspires others by his actions and good stewardship. (And, his good sense of humor certainly doesn’t detract from his likeability factor.)
Last year, KCET Public Television for Southern and Central California embarked on an exciting new venture, KCET Desert Cities channel. The channel was created exclusively for the residences of the Coachella Valley. A new addition to KCET’s programming efforts and a milestone in their regional initiative to expand outreach into one of the key communities in their viewing areas. The station’s expansion efforts created the necessity for additional fundraising and cultivation of major donors, and community leaders were needed in the Coachella Valley. The Friends of KCET Desert Cities was born out of this need and Marv Conney came along to be one of the co-chairs of the Development Committee and champion of the Friends group. Marv has been extremely instrumental in providing the station with his years of experience in effective methods for cultivation of new major donors, developing a successful Friends group, establishing giving levels that will attract donors and help the station achieve its revenue goals, and create a support group that will be rewarding for the donors.
Now on to Madison, Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Public Television. Marv has been a member of the station’s Board of Directors for several years and a very key individual in their fundraising efforts. He was one of the earliest members of the station’s major donor Friends society and with great enthusiasm immediately started recruiting his own friends to join the group. In the first year as a Board member, he increased the station’s major donor base 10% and moved many of the previous members to the $2,500 and above giving level categories. Marv, along with his wife Mildred “Babe,” have generously opened their home numerous times to host cultivation events for the Friends group. Recently, they have personally made a significant Endowment gift to Wisconsin Public Television. He has funded collaborations with the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Jewish Studies and WPT to create unique partnerships for both institutions. Marv, without question, has proven to be an exemplary volunteer leader for WPT and has strengthened the station’s presence and importance in the community by his participation.
Marv Conney is an individual who deserves to be recognized by NFPB for his wonderful contributions to two public television stations in various parts of the United States and very diverse communities. He has set an example and level of excellence for other volunteers around the country to follow and embrace.
Presented to Marvin Conney
KCET/Los Angeles
Wisconsin Public Television
Nomination Narrative:
Marv Conney defines the word philanthropist. He devotes his precious time, money and inspiration for the better good of his two communities and two public television stations. He has a true passion for public television and his energy is felt by everyone who has the luck to work with him. He is one of those rare individuals who inspires others by his actions and good stewardship. (And, his good sense of humor certainly doesn’t detract from his likeability factor.)
Last year, KCET Public Television for Southern and Central California embarked on an exciting new venture, KCET Desert Cities channel. The channel was created exclusively for the residences of the Coachella Valley. A new addition to KCET’s programming efforts and a milestone in their regional initiative to expand outreach into one of the key communities in their viewing areas. The station’s expansion efforts created the necessity for additional fundraising and cultivation of major donors, and community leaders were needed in the Coachella Valley. The Friends of KCET Desert Cities was born out of this need and Marv Conney came along to be one of the co-chairs of the Development Committee and champion of the Friends group. Marv has been extremely instrumental in providing the station with his years of experience in effective methods for cultivation of new major donors, developing a successful Friends group, establishing giving levels that will attract donors and help the station achieve its revenue goals, and create a support group that will be rewarding for the donors.
Now on to Madison, Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Public Television. Marv has been a member of the station’s Board of Directors for several years and a very key individual in their fundraising efforts. He was one of the earliest members of the station’s major donor Friends society and with great enthusiasm immediately started recruiting his own friends to join the group. In the first year as a Board member, he increased the station’s major donor base 10% and moved many of the previous members to the $2,500 and above giving level categories. Marv, along with his wife Mildred “Babe,” have generously opened their home numerous times to host cultivation events for the Friends group. Recently, they have personally made a significant Endowment gift to Wisconsin Public Television. He has funded collaborations with the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Jewish Studies and WPT to create unique partnerships for both institutions. Marv, without question, has proven to be an exemplary volunteer leader for WPT and has strengthened the station’s presence and importance in the community by his participation.
Marv Conney is an individual who deserves to be recognized by NFPB for his wonderful contributions to two public television stations in various parts of the United States and very diverse communities. He has set an example and level of excellence for other volunteers around the country to follow and embrace.