Lifetime Achievement
Jerold Panas
Founder/Executive Partner
Jerold Panas, Linzy & Partners (JPLP)
“Give your time to great causes. Let your candle burn at both ends if necessary. It will provide a dazzling light, a beacon for others to follow.”
“Philanthropy is the rent we pay for the joy and privilege we have for our space on this earth.”
“Large gifts, they are there for your organization. Men and women, waiting to be asked. Men and women, waiting for the right program, the proper motivation, the excitement and exhilaration of sharing in a great adventure.”
These, according to quotation site strangewondrous.net, are quotes from this year’s Lifetime Achievement winner, Jerold Panas, who is known to many in the fundraising sector as one of the most important forces in philanthropy for the last half century, guiding many to success in fundraising through his counsel, training, inspirational lectures and workshops, and numerous publications. Over the course of his career, he has helped a diverse range of organizations raise more than $11 billion.
“He understands both what moves major donors and how to move fundraisers to action, bringing these philanthropic partners together for the benefit of both large and small organizations and their communities,” says Jay Frost, partner at JPLP, which Jerold founded in 1968.
Prior to forming JPLP, Jerold’s storied career included serving as senior vice president of Westminster College and, before that, executive for administration and finances for the National Council of YMCAs, responsible for the work and development of 400 associations on the East Coast.
He also has served as a member of the boards of directors of the American Association of Healthcare Consultants and the Association of Management Consultants, as well as chairman of the board of directors of the National Health Care Board. He is a member of the board of the Council of Independent Colleges and is a Life Trustee of the American College of Greece.
Jerold has published more than 16 books over his career to date, including the industry best-sellers, “Mega Gifts,” “Born to Raise,” “ASKING,” “Fundraising Habits of Supremely Successful Boards,” and, just last year, both “Power Questions” and “Supremely Successful Selling.”
“I can think of few living proponents of philanthropy and fundraising who have had anything approximating the influence of Jerold Panas,” Frost writes in his nomination. “Since joining the firm this last year, I have been approached by countless fundraising veterans who freely offer anecdotes about how Jerry has personally inspired them to fight past the tough moments to great success in our profession.
“They credit his books, training, counsel, and words of support and encouragement with helping them to see what was possible and with providing the tools and confidence to make it a reality,” he adds.
In explaining his support of Jerold for our Lifetime Achievement Award, judge Jeff Jowdy said, “Jerry stands with legends like (fundraising pioneer) Sy Seymour and (“The Raising of Money” author) James Gregory Lord.”
