Patty and David Murphy | Outstanding Individual Philanthropists
Congratulations to Patty and David Murphy for being awarded Outstanding Individual Philanthropists by the Association of Fundraising Professionals!
Patty and David have both served on the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery board. Patty remains an Emeritus Board Member and previously served as Board Chair and 25th Anniversary Campaign Chair.
From the Association of Fundraising Professionals:
Patty and David Murphy’s exemplary leadership arises from a heart-centered belief that we must all take care of one another. For more than three decades, their leadership and generosity have resulted in millions of dollars raised to transform the lives of children and families, and to strengthen the missions of schools, arts and cultural organizations, and healthcare systems. They approach their work with humility and give generously of their time and talents. Patty and David lead with their personal philanthropy, contributing leadership level gifts to organizations they care deeply about which sets the pace for others to join them in investing in causes they serve.
For more than 35 years, Patty’s civic involvement has been her work, her craft, and her passion. Known for her charismatic leadership, Patty currently serves as a Board Member of the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) where she currently lends her philanthropic leadership as the Chair of a $35 million dollar investment campaign to strengthen the reach of NAZ’s programs and services engaging students and families in North Minneapolis. As a former Board Chair, Board Member, and recent Co-Chair of the MacPhail 6.0, $6 million dollar campaign, Patty has been instrumental in extending musical education to students across the State of Minnesota. Other current board service includes: Breck School Board of Trustees, Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery (Board Member Emerita, past Board Chair and 25th Anniversary Campaign Chair) and The Minneapolis Foundation. Patty’s past involvement includes board service and support of: Camp Dudley-YMCA, Colonial Church of Edina, Junior League of Minneapolis; and University of Minnesota Women’s Health Fund among others.
As David grew up watching his grandfather and father in business and volunteer leadership roles, he learned the value of leadership driven by a strong moral compass and commitment to the organizations in which one serves. That has been the guiding principle for his professional life and his volunteerism ever since. In his professional life, David spent 23 years in increasingly responsible positions at General Mills; 15 years as President and CEO of the Red Wing Shoe Company and Interim CEO of Fairview Health Services for nearly two years. David believes that the cornerstone of any successful company or organization is inspired leadership and strong governance.
Early in his career, David became an active community supporter, working with Junior Achievement, chairing the Twin Cities American Cancer Society annual fund drive and as a leader in the General Mills United Way campaign. He has served on the boards of Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the Red Wing YMCA, Every Hand Joined (the Red Wing Strive affiliate) Fairview Red Wing (Board Chair) and Colonial Church Foundation (Board Chair) and Fairview Health Services Board (Board Chair). Currently, he is a board member and Chair of Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media Group.
It is Patty and David Murphy’s heart-centered belief that “we must all take care of each other.†From this belief springs their exemplary leadership and their past, current, and future contributions of time, expertise and generosity- providing inspiration and immeasurable returns to our community and to all Minnesotans.
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