Since 2008, The Juneau Community Foundation has honored outstanding local individuals and businesses who demonstrate their commitment to the community through generosity and leadership with the Philanthropist Award. This year, we announced Bruce and Sharon Denton as our 2024 Philanthropists of the Year and First Bank as our Philanthropic Business of the Year.
A Philanthropy Awards Celebration was held on September 19th. It was an inspiring event, overflowing with gratitude, hope, and heartfelt stories including a thoughtful, and entertaining program as speakers Mary Ellen Arvold, Dave Haas, and Stan and Amy Lujan, shared their powerful stories celebrating community philanthropy — supporting youth, working on trails, serving on nonprofit boards, and leaving legacy gifts to the Foundation. Amy’s grandmother’s words, “ Be a contributor,” perfectly capture the essence of the philanthropic spirit – urging us all to be part of the solution.
The highlight of the evening was honoring Bruce and Sharon Denton as this year’s Philanthropists of the Year and First Bank as the Philanthropic Business of the Year. Bruce and Sharon know how essential it is to give your time, expertise, and funds to Juneau’s nonprofit organizations’ continued health and existence. Between Bruce’s passion for providing housing and Sharon’s work supporting mental health and the arts, their deep commitment to improving the quality of life for everyone in Juneau and inspiring young people to come and stay in Juneau is clear.
Todd MacManus, President and CEO of First Bank, accepted the Philanthropic Business award and spoke to their 100 years of being a part of creating healthy communities throughout southeast Alaska. Their Community Reinvestment Act grants to nonprofits throughout Juneau and southeast Alaska have made a difference in people’s lives and their staff consistently go above and beyond in identifying community needs and helping to solve them.
As part of our longstanding tradition, the Foundation honored Bruce and Sharon’s dedication by supporting a Fund of their choice, the Youth & Education Community Impact Fund, with a $25,000 CHALLENGE MATCH. This fund provides youth with healthy, constructive opportunities to learn, succeed, and grow by removing barriers to participation. Please join us in celebrating Bruce, Sharon, and First Bank by making a generous donation to the Juneau Community Foundation Youth & Education Fund. Every dollar you give will be matched, doubling your impact and providing Juneau’s youth with opportunities to thrive.