Chick-fil-A’s Cathy honored for charity

Chick-fil-A’s Cathy honored for charity

Truett Cathy, founder of the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain, was named the 2008 winner of the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership Nov. 7.  

The annual award “honors living philanthropists who have shown exemplary leadership through their charitable giving, highlights the power of philanthropy to achieve positive change and seeks to inspire others to support charities that achieve genuine results,” according to Philanthropy Roundtable, a national charitable giving association. The award includes $250,000, which is to be donated to the charities of the recipient’s choice.

Cathy, 87 and a lifelong Southern Baptist, has led his company to donate more than $100 million since 1967, when the first Chick-fil-A opened in Atlanta, with an emphasis on educational scholarships and foster care.

“Giving is one of the privileges we have,” Cathy said. “The more I give, the more I have. Very few people recognize the pleasure of giving — especially when you don’t expect anything in return.”

The award Cathy received gives him another opportunity to support some of his favorite charities. While Cathy is known for awarding $1,000 scholarships to Chick-fil-A employees — $23 million so far — he also established WinShape Foundation, which seeks to foster winning leadership qualities in young people. He also has built 14 WinShape foster homes that provide quality care for children. Chick-fil-A has donated $100 million to foster care, marriage enrichment and camp retreats.

Cathy will donate his winnings to two Union City, Ga., organizations: Christian City, a foster care facility, and Southwest Christian Care, an organization that provides respite care. (BP)