If you want to maximize your career in philanthropy, you should strive to blend theory and practice. You should also enjoy meeting prospects, donors, volunteers and individuals who have made a difference in their community for many years.
If you are fortunate, you will meet unique people that have set a higher bar of philanthropic excellence. These individuals are rare, and the impact of their legacies is profound. I was recently blessed to once again cross paths with such an individual. His name is Michael S. "Mickey" Maurer.
Mickey, as he is known, is an attorney. He is also a banker, entrepreneur, philanthropist and author, and he has extensive experience in cable television, film production, radio broadcasting, newspaper publishing, real estate and banking. He also successfully completed the CPA examination. He has been Indiana's Secretary of Commerce, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and is currently chairman of the board of the National Bank of Indianapolis, the largest locally owned financial institution in central Indiana.
Maurer has also hosted an Emmy Award-winning program on television titled "Mickey's Corner," in which he interviewed Indiana luminaries.
Mickey is also active as a director of many businesses. In recognition of his longtime service and generosity to his alma mater, the Indiana University School of Law was renamed the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. He serves on its board of visitors. He has authored four books and is a published contributor to the New York Times crossword puzzle. His hobbies include climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, underwater photography and woodworking. He has received numerous awards through the years in many categories.
In philanthropy, for example, he has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Indianapolis, IUPUI Spirit of Philanthropy Award, President's Medal from the Indiana University Foundation and the Outstanding Individual Philanthropist Award from the Indiana Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He is innovative and a visionary for philanthropy. One of the greatest ideas in philanthropy is the establishment of Mickey's Camp, a charitable endeavor that has raised several million dollars for central Indiana charities since 2001.
The goal of Mickey's annual camp is for adults to leave behind daily pressures, explore new opportunities, perfect old skills and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow campers in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. There are actually two camps consisting of a maximum of 125 individuals at each camp session, held each August. The first camp is for women and the second for men. To attend this camp, you must be recommended by a previous camper. The cost per person is $1,500. The majority of these funds are actual donations given to several selected charities by the campers. Four charities are selected to be the main recipients of donations. These charities actually make presentations to the entire group, which typically leads to greater awareness and engagement by community movers and shakers.
The camp is held at Bradford Woods, which is Indiana University's Outdoor Center. Throughout the three-day camp, you have a variety of daily attendance options from gourmet cooking, batting cages, magic, zip line, billiards, swimming, massage, etc. At night you engage in dialogue with featured speakers such as a U.S. senator and Olympic athletes, enjoy gourmet dinners, and participate in various tournaments.
The ultimate goal of the camp is to promote philanthropic causes and build new relationships with community thought leaders. The camp is underwritten by Mickey, registration fees and the highest quality food sponsors in Indiana. In effect, Mickey's Camp is a charitable event. Net proceeds given to charities at the 2014 camp included the Bradford Woods Outdoor Center, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Horizon House and the Little Red Door Cancer Agency. These charities are worthy of support, and campers designate funds to different charities each year.
Mickey Maurer is a true servant leader and cares deeply about the community he serves. He is also called a renaissance man. He constantly promotes community causes and seeks ways to involve others in the discussion. The camp is one vehicle to get things done.
He always places others first. My personal goal is to attend Mickey's Camp and spread the good word to others. Isn't it time you started your own camp to promote philanthropy? If interested in learning how to do this, just call Mickey. He is known for immediately returning calls!
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Duke Haddad, Ed.D., CFRE, is currently associate director of development, director of capital campaigns and director of corporate development for The Salvation Army Indiana Division in Indianapolis. He also serves as president of Duke Haddad and Associates LLC and is a freelance instructor for Nonprofit Web Advisor.
He has been a contributing author to NonProfit PRO since 2008.
He received his doctorate degree from West Virginia University with an emphasis on education administration plus a dissertation on donor characteristics. He received a master’s degree from Marshall University with an emphasis on public administration plus a thesis on annual fund analysis. He secured a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) with an emphasis on marketing/management. He has done post graduate work at the University of Louisville.
Duke has received the Fundraising Executive of the Year Award, from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Indiana Chapter. He also was given the Outstanding West Virginian Award, Kentucky Colonel Award and Sagamore of the Wabash Award from the governors of West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana, respectively, for his many career contributions in the field of philanthropy. He has maintained a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation for three decades.