Orlando, Fla.

Mooresville, N.C., September 15, 2009 — At a time when schools are forced to slash budgets, cut staff and cancel programs, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation announced today they are continuing their commitment to K-12 public education by dedicating more than $2.5 million in additional grants to schools and communities in the United States and Canada. The grants will be given to schools and non-profit organizations facing fundamental needs in difficult economic times.

A few years ago, I jumped into the virtual world known as Second Life. I created an avatar that was much thinner, much prettier and decidedly more exotic than I am (she looked a lot more like Angelina Jolie than she did me), and I gave her a cool name. The fact that I don’t remember what it was should tell you where this is heading. When I finished the creation stage — voila! — there was Margelina (we’ll call her, in retrospect), tall and beautiful, and standing completely naked in this weird, other-wordly place that was rather dark and just a little menacing.

Last month, FundRaising Success named the winners of our 2008 Fundraising Professionals of the Year Awards. Take some time now to learn a little more about them and their perspectives on fundraising. Fundraising Professional of the Year Michelle Speas Vice president of development and external relations Old Salem Museums & Gardens (Winston-Salem, N.C.) www.oldsalem.org Organization’s mission: To preserve, interpret and operate the restored town of Salem, from its founding in 1766 to the mid-1850s, as one of America’s largest living history museums. Annual operating budget: $5.8 million How much raised annually: $6.9 million Role models: My staff. They’re my source of inspiration, and they