AWARDS

2008 - April:  International Award as Outstanding Foundation

The Levin Family Foundation, based in Dayton, Ohio, is the recipient of the Award for Outstanding Foundation presented by the international Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

The award recognizes a foundation that demonstrates outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles in philanthropy and national, international and/or community involvement. The Levin Family Foundation was nominated for the award by the AFP, Miami Valley Chapter and will receive the honor at the Awards for Philanthropy Banquet during the AFP International Conference on Fundraising in San Diego, California on April 1, 2008. 

The Levin Family Foundation serves the people of Montgomery County by providing grant money and sponsoring free health-related events for the underserved. 

Previous winners of this prestigious award include The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, the Lilly Endowment, Inc. and The Kresge Foundation.  “The Trustees and I are still in shock that we are in the same class as these well-established foundations” says Karen Levin, Executive Director. “We feel like the new kids on the block since we are a fairly new foundation…I like to compare us to a mouse that roars!”

Over the past several years, the foundation has taken the lead to organize an annual health fair “Celebrating Life and Health” that offers free medical tests for uninsured and medically underserved families in the region. More than 2,500 people attended the 2007 event receiving free services including screenings for diabetes, osteoporosis, prostate cancer and vision problems, plus vouchers for mammograms and fittings for free bicycle helmets.

As part of their commitment to addressing childhood obesity, the foundation has also established the Miami Valley Healthy Kids Task Force to investigate ways to reduce childhood obesity.

Additionally, the Foundation’s support of Wright State University (WSU) School of Medicine’s PALS program helps students with disabilities learn about the risks associated with substance abuse and tobacco use.

On an international level, the foundation is passionately committed to the production of the documentary Take Us Home, which will depict both the heart-breaking and heart-warming story of Ethiopian Jews who live in the mountains of Gondar, Ethiopia and the State of Israel. Take Us Home will portray a people long isolated from the rest of the Jewish world. Depicting challenges created by rescue efforts and waves of immigration, the documentary will further explore challenges of language, health issues and problems of leaving one culture and learning a new one as part of the mission of rescue of Jews by Jews.

Locally, the foundation has been recognized for their outstanding support, including the 2006 Humanitarian Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice of Greater Dayton (NCCJ), 2004 Outstanding Foundation from the AFP Miami Valley Chapter and the 2004 Dayton Business Journal Healthcare Heroes Community Outreach award.   Karen Levin has also been cited for her work with the foundation as a 2005 YWCA Dayton Women of Influence honoree and a Dayton Daily News 2005 Ten Top Women Award.

Outstanding Friend of Literacy

The Levin Family Foundation’s support of Project READ extends back a number of years.  The Foundation’s initial gift in 2002 helped the coalition to explore gaps in literacy service and supported local book distribution efforts.

Combining the foundation’s interest in health and literacy, the Levin Family Foundation funded health literacy projects in 2005 and 2006.  This enabled Project READ’s staff to get involved with numerous health fairs in the community, distributing health literacy information and free, health-focused books at each event.  The health literacy grants also allowed Project READ to develop a new health literacy display and localized health literacy brochures that are now available in English and Spanish.  In 2006 & 2007, many doctor’s offices and health clinics in the area received the health literacy brochures and free books from Project READ for their waiting rooms …all due to Levin’s gift and their commitment to a healthy, reading community. The Levin Family Foundation is currently funding a book distribution project in which Project READ staff make presentations to local service clubs asking for their support in collecting books for local learners.  Participating service clubs then hold a book drive to collect new or gently used books.  The books will be donated to learners through various literacy programs.  So far, the program has resulted in three presentations made to service clubs who have collected over 500 books! The Levin Family Foundation’s dedication to literacy has impacted the lives of thousands of Dayton area citizens in the past five years.  The Foundation’s continued support ensures that thousands more will benefit from their generosity!

2006 Humanitarian Awards

On October 23, 2006, the National Conference for Community and Justice of Greater Dayton (NCCJ) awarded the Levin Family Foundation as one of its recipients of the Humanitarian Award.  This award is presented because of the Foundation's commitment to creating an inclusive community by promoting equality and eliminating discrimination in any form.

Other recipients of the 2006 Humanitarian Award that evening were:

• Mr. Doug Franklin
• Gary L. Leroy, M.D.
• Dr. Thomas Lesley, II

Dayton Daily News 2005 Ten Top Women Awards

About the Award

Over the past 43 years, the Dayton Daily News has honored more than 400 Miami Valley women whose diverse contributions have helped make our area a better place to live. 

These women serve as role models for many women, both in the professional arena and in a community service setting.  They are extra-special women giving unselfishly of their time and talents.

Karen Levin - 2005 Honoree

What Others Say

"Because of Karen, hearts beat, shots are given, people are fed, and thirst is quenched.  children live in decent, affordable housing. Spirits soar and souls are soothed through the arts."  [Laurie Straus, Friend]

Karen's Words of Wisdom

"When I was younger, I studied voice. I learned that one solo voice singing loud, strong and on key can inspire others to join in and form a choir. 

This is how women should tackle the social ills plaguing us today.  By joining forces and making our voices heard, we can produce a mighty sound that will have a far-reaching impact.  All we have to do is have the courage to join in on that first note."

Lighthouse Youth Services

Beacon of Light - Humanitarian Award

Saturday, April, 17, 2004

Every year Lighthouse hosts the Beacon of Light Humanitarian Awards.

This premier event honors community advocates who, by their dedication to the welfare of children and families, serve as examples for us all.

Dayton Business Journal

HealthCare Heroes - Community Outreach

Thursday, October 21, 2004

The Dayton Business Journal recognized people who contribute to health care in our community through their concern for patrons, their research and inventions, their management skills, their innovative programs for employees and their service to the poor and uninsured.

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)

Outstanding Foundation Award 2004

Wednesday, November 17, 2004 (National Philanthropy Day)

The Outstanding Foundation Award recognizes a private or community foundation that supports not only non-profit organizational goals, but also offers encouragement and motivation to non-profits. Specific examples of achievement are:

• Evidence of philanthropic support of innovative approaches to solving problems in the community
• Description of impact of gift support and achievements accomplished through the foundation’s efforts
• Evidence of encouragement and motivation given to others to take leadership roles towards philanthropy and community involvement

Karen Levin

YWCA Women of Influence

March 3, 2005

The YWCA’s Women of Influence honorees are women who have made a positive influence on the lives of others, as part of their careers, as volunteers, as role models and mentors.

Think TV Speaking of Women’s Health

Speaking of Women’s Health Conference Announces Honorees

November, 2004

Caring… Innovative… Compassionate… Sincere… Visionary… Giving

These are the words used to describe the extraordinary two Dayton area women who will be in the spotlight during the sold-out fourth annual Speaking of Women’s Health Conference on November 6 at the Dayton Convention Center presented by Think TV. Think TV is pleased to recognize and honor women in our community who have made a tremendous influence on the lives of women.

Speaking of Women’s Health and Think TV are excited to announce the 2004 Honorees. These women have been selected for their outstanding efforts to enhance the quality of life in the Dayton community through efforts in the fields of women’s health, well-being and personal safety.

The 2004 Honorees are:

Karen Lorenz-Levin

Ms. Karen Levin has dedicated her life to helping the underserved and uninsured of Dayton and those around the world. Lessons learned from a profound experience of being ill for a long time with no means of financial support or health insurance herself motivated Karen to spend her life raising community awareness of the need for quality medical services for all.

In 1996, Karen became a Physician Assistant in order to be able to work one-on-one with those needing health care. She traveled to Belize with a group to deliver health care and worked with many community agencies here in Montgomery County to provide the opportunity for free healthcare testing and information.

As Executive Director and Trustee of The Levin Family Foundation, Karen has had the opportunity to have a voice in partnering with agencies to establish new health related programs for children and adults.

Doing more than providing financial resources, Karen makes sure she is there to add support and collaborations that will assist each program to succeed. She:

• Helped to establish the Wellness-On Wheels Program
• Partnered with United Way to create the “Grants for Kids” Program
• Set up the Miami Valley Healthy Kids Task Force focused on childhood obesity issues
• Created and implemented the annual “Celebrating Life and Health” program to bring those in need of health care services together to receive testing and information, have a good meal and good fun, and demystify the healthcare system.

More projects are in the planning stages as Karen remains fiercely passionate about making a difference to the underserved in the Miami Valley.