Philanthropist of the Year: Presented to an individual, corporation or foundation with a record of exceptional generosity who: through direct financial support has demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable responsibility to a specific organization(s) or cause(s); has taken a leadership role in a specific organization(s) or cause(s); motivates others to participate in philanthropy. The depth and/or breadth of support to other organizations will be considered.
Winner ~ Richard Rosenthal
Nominated By ~ University of Cincinnati Foundation, Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Art Museum, and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Throughout his remarkable life, Mr. Rosenthal has championed the arts and led the fight for equal justice under the law. As founder and owner of Uptown Arts, he has brought the gift of art, music, and dance to the lives of over 300 inner-city children each year. He serves on various boards of arts organizations. His passion and commitment to justice led him to endow the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Institute for Justice in 2014, which has been instrumental in the release of 24 innocent people wrongly convicted in Ohio. His most recent gift of $15M to The Ohio Innocence Project (OIP) at UC’s Lois and Richard Rosenthal Institute for Justice at the College of Law – the largest ever for the college and any innocence program – will provide for the program in perpetuity.
