The Association of Fundraising Professionals has honored McGuireWoods as the 2016 Outstanding Philanthropic Organization for the Charlotte region. The award recognizes corporations and other organizations whose charitable contributions and community engagement significantly enrich the community. McGuireWoods is only the second law firm to receive the award since its inception more than 25 years ago.
Six organizations with which McGuireWoods has done significant service projects over the years — the Council for Children’s Rights, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, Legal Aid North Carolina, Safe Alliance, Arts and Science Council, and United Way — jointly nominated the firm for the award. They noted McGuireWoods lawyers and staff serve on civic boards, volunteer, and provide financial support and pro bono service to community causes.
Winners are chosen by the board of directors and community selection committee of AFP, which represents more than 30,000 individual and organizational members that collectively raise more than $300 billion annually.
“McGuireWoods is committed to serving civic organizations that positively impact our community,” said Scott Vaughn, managing partner of the firm’s Charlotte office. “We thank the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the organizations that nominated us for this prestigious award.”
“We are proud to partner with the many organizations in North Carolina that have given us a wealth of opportunity to help families, children and people in need throughout our community,” said senior counsel Angela Zimmern, who co-leads the firm’s pro bono efforts in Charlotte with senior counsel Carter Arey.
McGuireWoods received the award on Nov. 15 at AFP’s 2016 National Philanthropy Day luncheon and awards reception. It marks the fourth public service honor for McGuireWoods’ Charlotte office this year. In June, the North Carolina Bar Association gave McGuireWoods its 2016 Large Law Firm Pro Bono Award recognizing the firm’s pro bono work in the areas of child advocacy, domestic violence protection, consumer relief, veterans’ affairs, tax relief and estate planning. In October, the Safe Alliance gave its “Commitment to Justice” award to McGuireWoods for the third time in recognition of the firm’s pro bono assistance to victims of abuse. Also last month, McGuireWoods received the Council for Children’s Rights’ Outstanding Firm Pro Bono Service Award in recognition of the firm’s longstanding support for the Council’s Custody Advocacy Program, for which McGuireWoods has handled more cases than any other firm.