Carlson and the Carlson Family Foundation donated $25,000 to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), giving a great kickoff to the 2014 Annual Giving Campaign. This is Carlson’s fifth consecutive year donating at the highest level.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, a major business unit of Carlson, and the Carlson Family Foundation collectively donated more than $1 million to AH&LEF’s last two major capital giving campaigns, including the New Century Campaign in 2001, which raised $9 million for specific industry initiatives such as workforce development, school-to-career, and technology research. Additionally, Carlson has been a cornerstone participant in AH&LEF’s annual fundraising events for more than a decade. In 2003, the Carlson family was recognized at AH&LEF’s Dinner Tribute, which raised more than $50,000 in proceeds to benefit the industry.
“Our founder, Curt Carlson fostered a deep sense of community and spirit of giving that clearly continues to this day,†said Thorsten Kirschke, president, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. “This record-breaking Annual Giving Campaign gift is yet another example of Carlson’s deep commitment to our industry and the education of its future leaders.â€
“We are so grateful to Carlson and the Carlson Family Foundation for continuing their many years of support for AH&LEF at the highest level,†said Joori Jeon, AH&LEF president/COO. “We need more industry leaders like Carlson who understand that their contributions ensure a strong workforce and cutting-edge research for the future of the industry.â€
The Annual Giving Campaign is AH&LEF’s key yearly fundraising initiative supported solely by the hospitality sector. Initiated in 1997, the program generates funds for AH&LEF’s core programs that provide hospitality management students with academic scholarships, offer grants for pertinent industry research such as diversity and technology advancement, and promote hospitality as a career of choice. Hundreds of thousands has been raised through the campaigns, and the Foundation is scheduled to disburse more than $1 million this year.
AH&LEF is the not-for-profit affiliate of AH&LA and is funded solely by charitable donations from progressive hospitality leaders and companies within the industry. In 2013, AH&LEF disbursed over $1 million to prepare promising college students for a career in hospitality, to attract and retain talented industry professionals, and to fund valuable research for lodging properties. Since the Foundation’s inception, approximately $18.5 million has been distributed through its scholarship, education, outreach, and research programs.
All AH&LEF contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For more information about donating, contact Michelle Poinelli, senior vice president of foundation programs, at (202) 289-3181 or mpoinelli@ahlef.org, or visit www.ahlef.org.