Community Foundation Announces Philanthropic Leadership Award
The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro (CFGG) has awarded estate planning attorney and civic leader with its inaugural Philanthropic Leadership Award. This award recognizes an outstanding professional advisor who demonstrates a deep commitment to philanthropy in both their professional practice and personal endeavors.
Kristen Yntema, President/CEO of AuthoraCare Collective, who nominated Mr. Johnson for this award says, “He [Ron] has been instrumental in our successful philanthropic efforts, serving on multiple campaigns, and helping form our supporting Foundation, and generously giving personally. An active member of the board, he applies his legal knowledge to guide our non-profit, creating our by-laws and legal infrastructure.”
Ashley Madden, Director of Financial Planning Services for Hutchinson Family Offices added in her nomination, “Ron’s commitment to philanthropy is decades long and miles deep. He has a long-standing relationship with both the FSA Council [Financial Service Advisors Council] and CFGG and has been supportive of many philanthropic endeavors through his Foundation as well as his work as an estate planning attorney.”
Ron Johnson focuses his practice on estate planning, estate administration, business law and nonprofit corporations. In addition to being board-certified in estate planning and probate law, he is a former board member and past president of the Greensboro Estate Planning Council. He also has been repeatedly recognized by Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite” — ranked by his peers for his excellence in the area of Tax & Estate Planning.
Before joining Carruthers & Roth, Ron was an attorney in the Greensboro law firm Johnson, Peddrick & McDonald. The firm was dissolved in 2021 when three of Johnson, Peddrick & McDonald’s attorneys joined Carruthers & Roth. In addition to his commitment to his profession, Ron is well-known for his service to the community. He has founded community nonprofits, served on many nonprofit boards and earned kudos for his leadership.
The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro’s (CFGG) Philanthropic Leadership Award is given to a professional advisor in the Greensboro community who embodies CFGG’s core values of fairness, teamwork, respect, excellence, integrity, empathy, and honesty. This is the inaugural award.
Ron was selected for the award by the CFGG’s Professional Advisors Committee, after being nominated by Kristen Yntema, President and CEO of AuthoraCare Collective and Ashley Madden, Director of Financial Planning Services at Hutchinson Family Offices. The award was presented at an event co-hosted by the Community Foundation and the Financial Service Advisors Council.
The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro is a charitable organization that inspires giving, maximizes opportunities and strengthens communities for present and future generations. With assets of over $300 million and 700+ charitable funds under management, it promotes philanthropy by addressing emerging community issues, managing permanent endowments, and collaborating with individuals, families, corporations, private foundations, and nonprofit organizations in achieving their charitable objectives. In 2023, it received $13.6 million in contributions and granted $18.2 million to area nonprofit organizations and beyond. For more information, visit www.cfgg.org.
The Financial Service Advisors Council (“The Council”) advances the professionalism and interdisciplinary cooperation of our diverse membership so they may better serve the needs of their clients. The Council is committed to providing cutting-edge continuing education that fosters excellence, success, and the highest ethical standards. The Council has created a home for deeply connected professionals that share the core values of honesty, commitment, and diligence. For more information, visit www.fsacouncil.org.
Professional Advisor Award, Nominating Remarks for Ron Johnson
by Kristen Yntema, President/CEO, AuthoraCare Collective
How has the nominee shown a commitment to philanthropy in their professional practice?
Ron Johnson has served on the board of AuthoraCare Collective, formerly Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro and Hospice of Alamance-Caswell, for 17 years. He has been instrumental in our successful philanthropic efforts, serving on multiple campaigns, and helping form our supporting Foundation, and generously giving personally.
An active member of the board, he applies his legal knowledge to guide our non-profit, creating our by-laws and legal infrastructure. He is engaged, connected, and uses his time, talent and treasure to advance our mission. We are not alone. Ron serves on multiple boards and demonstrates the same accountability to best practices with each commitment.
Ron is well-known for his volunteer leadership throughout the community. He has been honored by many charitable and civic organizations for his service, including the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Family Services of the Piedmont, Triad Health Project, Guilford Green Foundation, the Human Rights Campaign, Planned Parenthood, AuthoraCare Collective, Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro, and Greensboro Commission on the Status of Women.
A member of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Legal Practice Hall of Fame – a recognition honoring outstanding lawyers who exhibit the highest standards of ethics, professional competency, and service to both the bar and the community – Ron works primarily in estate planning. This intimate role provides a unique opportunity for him to work with clients to preserve and maximize impact for their philanthropic interests. Time and time again, he has demonstrated his donor/client-centric approach to generate crucial philanthropic support.
How has the nominee shown a commitment to philanthropy in their personal endeavors?
Ron is the first board member to champion a campaign. Whether a major capital effort or an Annual Campaign, he is the first to make a personal commitment. When AuthoraCare launched a planned giving society, he made his commitment known. Each year, as the Annual Campaign launches, he is the first to encourage his fellow board members to participate. He leads by example.
Please share how the nominee embodies at least one of CFGG’s core values of fairness, teamwork, respect, excellence, integrity, empathy, and honesty.
Over his years of service at AuthoraCare, Ron has chaired multiple projects, including serving as Chair of the AuthoraCare Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Teamwork is essential in such an endeavor. Ron is truly a team player focused on the mission and greater good whether he is in the leadership position or an ad hoc member.
Please provide a story about how the nominee has worked with a client or nonprofit to manifest their charitable giving goals.
Ethical practice begins with understanding a donor’s motivations and goals. Estate planning is a marriage of financial planning, philanthropy and preserving a donor’s wishes. When AuthoraCare launched its planned giving efforts, Ron was essential in helping build the foundation of our program. He helped us write gift policy and gift agreements. He led us through the establishment of named funds, using the Community Foundation as a vehicle for them.
One of the simplest strategies he introduced was the concept of endowing one’s annual gift. AuthoraCare had a robust donor base with many annual supporters. Ron’s concept challenged donors to ensure their annual support beyond their lifetime by creating endowed funds. The strategy continues to grow our
Professional Advisor Award, Nominating Remarks for Ron Johnson
by Ashley Madden, Director of Financial Planning Services, Hutchinson Family Offices
How has the nominee shown a commitment to philanthropy in their professional practice?
Ron’s commitment to philanthropy is decades long and miles deep. He has a long-standing relationship with both the FSA Council and CFGG and has been supportive of many philanthropic endeavors through his Foundation as well as his work as an estate planning attorney.
How has the nominee shown a commitment to philanthropy in their personal endeavors?
Ron has a personal passion for philanthropy especially in championing the rights of the LGBTQ community. Notably, he contributed significant personal dollars to open Greensboro’s first LGBTQ Center, in downtown Greensboro.
Please share how the nominee embodies at least one of CFGG’s core values of fairness, teamwork, respect, excellence, integrity, empathy, and honesty.
Ron embodies all these values, both personally and professionally. It has been my honor and privilege to know Ron as a colleague and a friend for nearly twenty years. I hold him in the highest regard in terms of excellence!