How ACG Gives Back: Local Chapters Embrace Philanthropy This Holiday Season
With gift-giving season now in full swing, we take a look at how ACG chapters around the country are giving back to their local communities
The holidays are here, and gift-giving season is in full swing. For ACG chapters around the country, this time of year also means an opportunity to give back.
We rounded up some of the highlights of ACG chapter holiday events that showcase unique local charities and offer a chance for ACG members to donate funds, gently used clothing, toys and other items.
Learn about the featured organizations and other ways ACG chapters make a difference in their cities.
ACG Dallas/Fort Worth: Dallas Holiday Party
Members of the ACG Dallas/Fort Worth chapter can throw on their cocktail party attire for this year’s Dallas Holiday Party, held Dec. 3 at the Brookhaven Country Club. Open to members only (non-members can attend as a guest of a member), this year’s event is partnering with Dwell with Dignity, a charity that supplies furniture, art, kitchen essentials and other items to families moving into a new house, helping to make their space a home.
In an interview with Middle Market Growth, Teresa Charnock, Dwell with Dignity’s executive director, explained that the organization has noticed a shift in understanding of neuroaesthetics and how one’s surroundings can influence mental health, particularly for families escaping a traumatic situation such as domestic violence.
Event Recap
WHAT: ACG Chapter-hosted fundraisers, toy drives and networking events
WHERE: Nationwide
WHEN: Throughout the month of December, 2024
THE TAKEAWAY: It’s that time of year to give back, and various local ACG chapters are embracing the opportunity for community outreach with an array of charitable initiatives.
“Working with groups like ACG really helps us spread the word about what we’re doing,” says Charnock, who adds that Dwell with Dignity is celebrating its 15th year in operation this year. “There is so much work to be done, and all of that work takes funds to achieve what we need to do. That’s what’s so powerful about having an opportunity to work with ACG and tap into the ACG family.”
ACG Dallas members attending the Holiday Party are encouraged to bring items like sets of drinking glasses, bakeware and other essential home items to fulfill Dwell with Dignity’s Amazon Wishlist.
“Help is needed year-round, not just the holiday season, but now is a good time to reflect about those who don’t have as much,” adds Brian Simmons, a partner at CohnReznick and a member of ACG Dallas/Fort Worth’s Networking Committee. It was Simmons, who serves on Dwell with Dignity’s board, who nominated the organization to partner with the chapter for its holiday party.
“ACG has a lot of great people that have big hearts and want to help,” he adds.
There is so much work to be done, and all of that work takes funds to achieve what we need to do. That’s what’s so powerful about having an opportunity to work with ACG and tap into the ACG family.
Teresa Charnock
Dwell with Dignity
ACG New Jersey: Annual Holiday Breakfast
ACG New Jersey holds a monthly breakfast for members, but every December the chapter holds its Annual Holiday Breakfast to look towards the new year and embrace the season of giving back. This year, the chapter is spotlighting New Jersey charity Pony Power Therapies.
The charity provides horse-assisted activities for children and adults facing disabilities and other life challenges. ACG New Jersey encourages attendees of the event to donate to the nonprofit in support of its mission.
MJ Jolda, ACG NJ’s President, and Principal and Chief Marketing Officer at CMO Co., tells Middle Market Growth that collaborating with Pony Power Therapies for the holiday breakfast was a logical choice. The nonprofit is a client of M&T Bank; ACG NJ member Clare McCoy arranged the breakfast’s keynote speaker, Meghan Shue, from Wilmington Trust, a subsidiary of M&T Bank.
“We knew this was a perfect opportunity to shine a light on Pony Power’s inspiring work,” Jolda says. “We’re excited for community leaders attending the breakfast to experience a glimpse of Pony Power Therapies’ impact on New Jersey, inspiring all of us to support their invaluable mission.”
This year’s Holiday Breakfast will be held on Dec. 10 at the Galloping Hill Golf course.
ACG NY: Women of Leadership Holiday Luncheon
For its inaugural Holiday Luncheon, ACG New York’s Women of Leadership Committee will be gathering at the Central Park Boathouse on Dec. 11, 2024. The gathering is part of the Committee’s Middle Market Makes a Difference initiative, featuring philanthropic and charitable activities to enhance the event’s dealmaking and networking opportunities.
This year, the Committee has chosen to support the Bottomless Closet charity. Celebrating its 25th year in operating, Bottomless Closet aims to empower women in New York City entering the workforce with a slew of professional resources, including work attire, resume support and interview preparation. Attendees of the Luncheon next month are encouraged to bring at least one piece of unworn or gently used work attire to donate to Bottomless Closet.
ACG NY’s Women of Leadership was founded in 2008. Its Women of Leadership series is dedicated to supporting connections and networking opportunities for female leaders.
ACG Detroit: Annual Kimble Bells Networking & Charity Event
ACG Detroit continues to honor the memory of Sharon Kimble, who served the chapter for more than 20 years as its Executive Director, with its annual Kimble Bells (formerly known as Mingle Bells) holiday charity and networking event.
Put on by ACG Cares each year, Kimble Bells honors a charity with a $5,000 donation and a forum to spread its message in support of the greater Detroit community, notes Kurt Harvey, Chairman, board member and past President of ACG Detroit. “The Detroit chapter of ACG and its members have been supportive and active within many different philanthropy initiatives throughout its 40 years of existence,” he tells Middle Market Growth.
This year, ACG Detroit has chosen Transracial Journeys to highlight. The charity supports transracially adopted individuals and their families, providing support for children and parents to find a sense of community and navigate the post-adoption journey. “Founded in 2013, the organization provides a space where children find belonging, parents find support, and families find community as they navigate the unique challenges of adoption, identity, and racial differences,” Harvey explains.
Kimble Bells will be held this year on Dec. 4 at the Detroit Golf Club. In addition to raising funds to support Transracial Journeys, the event will offer an opportunity to network with food and cocktails.
Sponsors for the event include Bell Nunnally, CXO, Forvis Mazars and Woodforest National Bank.
ACG Boston: Women of Leadership Holiday Luncheon
ACG’s Boston chapter will see its annual Women of Leadership Holiday Luncheon held Dec. 4 in partnership with nonprofit Chill Boston/Manchester. The organization operates snowboard, skateboard, surf and standup paddleboard programs throughout the year for youth ages 11 to 19.
At the Luncheon, attendees will have the opportunity to design a one-of-a-kind skateboard using curated design supplies—don’t worry, no experience is necessary, and all tools will be provided. Completed skateboards will be donated to Chill Boston/Manchester, which will use the boards to support mental and physical health, community building skills and resilience for youths in its program.
ACG Boston’s Luncheon is sponsored by CohnReznick and Sullivan & Worcester.
ACG Toy Drives
Several ACG chapters are running holiday toy drives this season.
They include ACG 101 Corridor’s Holiday Celebration and Toy Drive event, happening Dec. 11 at The Prosperous Penny, Four Seasons Westlake. Attendees are encouraged to donate items like superhero figurines, dolls, coloring books, puzzles and more for an evening of appetizers, cocktails and holiday cheer.
ACG Connecticut is another chapter running a toy drive for its Holiday Party on Dec. 9 at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich. In addition to food and drink, networking opportunities and exclusive access to the museum’s galleries, attendees can bring an unwrapped toy or gift card to support the chapter’s local charity drive.
Carolyn Vallejo is ACG’s Digital Editor.
Middle Market Growth is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To learn more about the organization and how to become a member, visit www.acg.org.
