Outstanding Volunteer Award: Presented to an individual who demonstrates exemplary volunteerism through the dedication of significant personal time, talents, and resources fostering a particular organization or group of organizations.

Benjamin Franklin Award: Presented to a fundraising professional who has attained significant achievements in a long career and is looked to by the profession as a role model. This is generally a person with ten or more years experience in fundraising that has contributed to the field as a professional, trainer/mentor, and/or volunteer. Nominees do not have to be members of AFP Chicago. Individuals who have previously won the President’s Award may be considered for the Benjamin Franklin Award.

Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award: Presented to a youth leader or leaders, or a youth-generated project and its team, having demonstrated a significant impact on the Chicago community. The recipient(s) will have demonstrated the philanthropic tradition and values associated with serving the community.

NOMINEE:

NAME _______________________________________________ TITLE _____________________________________

ORGANIZATION _____________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________________________________

CITY _________________________________________ STATE __________ ZIP CODE ___________________

WORK, CELL or HOME# (Required) ___________________________________________________________________

EMAIL (Required) __________________________________

HOME ADDRESS (If nominee does not have a work address)______________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

NOMINATED BY:

NAME __________________________________________ TITLE: ____________________________________

ORGANIZATION __________________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________________________

CITY _______________________________________ STATE ___________ ZIP CODE ____________________

WORK PHONE _______________________ Cell ____________________ EMAIL ________________________________

SIGNATURE _________________________________________________ DATE ________________________________

I am not a current member of AFP/Chicago

Member endorsement: ________________________________ _________________________________________ Name Signature

Nominations must be postmarked no later than October 4, 2019 to be considered for an award.

Association of Fundraising Professionals Chicago Chapter 44th Annual Philanthropy Awards Nomination Form

Please complete this form and nomination checklist and include it with your completed nomination packet. LATE AND INCOMPLETE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Nominations must consist of four sections. Please use the following checklist to ensure that you have included all of the required information:

1. A letter on standard (8½” x 11”) paper explaining why the nominee should be honored for the award.Cite specific examples of the nominee’s fulfillment of the award category criteria.

2. A copy of the nominee’s current resume or list of achievements. 3. Supporting materials that may include copies of articles or reports, and/or a biography. Videos, books,

games, artwork, etc., are not accepted. 4. Three letters of support from individuals or organizations that strengthen the nomination. These should

explain accomplishments that specifically support the award category definition. Strongly encourage yourletters of support be limited to one page.

Please note: Nominations must be no more than ten pages in length.

Please do not staple any portion of your nomination.

Please forward your completed nomination via mail, email or fax to: Gail A. Brooks, CMP AFP Chicago 1717 North Naper Blvd., Suite 102 Naperville, IL 60563 Email: gbrooks@afpchicago.org Fax: (630) 416-9798

Nominations must be postmarked no later than OCTOBER 4, 2019 to be considered for an award. Questions? Please call the AFP Chicago Chapter Office at 630-416-1166 or log onto www.afpchicago.org.

AWARD CATEGORIES ( one):

Distinguished Philanthropist(s) Award: Presented to an individual, family or family foundation that has generously donated from personal resources a minimum of ten years, that has made a significant impact in funding to a particular issue or a variety of philanthropic causes.

Emerging Philanthropist Award: Presented to an individual, family or family foundation that has generously donated from their personal resources to philanthropic causes for ten years or less, that have shown a deep commitment to a particular social issue or a variety of philanthropic causes.

Executive Leader Award: Presented to a business leader whose outstanding leadership has garnered business and civic support for philanthropy. The leader does not have to be the CEO of a corporation.

Professional Grantor Award: Presented to a corporate or foundation giving officer recognized for his/her professionalism, sensitivity and generous support to the nonprofit community. This is generally a paid staff position in a grant making organization.

Outstanding Community Leader Award: Presented to an individual who has shown extraordinary leadership and advocacy for a cause that has resulted in significant and positive change for a particular neighborhood, issue or segment of our community.

October 4, 2019 Gail A. Brooks, CMP AFP Chicago 1717 North Naper Blvd., Suite 102 Naperville, IL 60563 Dear Gail, It is a tremendous honor and privilege to write this letter nominating Alex Pissios as a candidate for your Executive Leader Award. Alex, President & CEO of Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, is a Chicago native and a Chicago treasure. I have come to know Alex well as a Sinai Health System Board of Director member since 2013 and as a workplace neighbor in the North Lawndale community. His impact on both Sinai and North Lawndale is noteworthy. Alex epitomizes the very best of an engaged, caring civic and business leader. As an executive, he has a brilliant mind for business and a heart for social consciousness. While building Cinespace into the only major film studio outside of Hollywood, community investment remains at the core of their mission. Through Cinecares, established in 2014, Alex is enabling training and employment for area residents through education and job training in TV and film. He has inspired and supported countless professionals in the film industry. All the while, Alex seeks out community businesses to partner in support of education, workforce development, health care, and special needs populations with primary geographic focus on serving residents living on the west and south sides of Chicago. What better champion could Chicago and Sinai have than our devoted friend Alex Pissios? Beyond any shadow of a doubt, Alex stands apart as a corporate citizen, board member, and gentleman. He makes any gathering better, from his fun, energetic nature to his focus on advancing people and causes. The Sinai Health System and Chicago are undeniably better because of Alex’s actions and vision for service to communities in need. I strongly recommend Alex Pissios for consideration of the 2020 AFP Executive Leader Award. Sincerely,

Karen Teitelbaum President and CEO Sinai Health System

Alex Pissios Bio Alex Pissios is the President and CEO of Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, the “Hollywood of the Midwest,” bringing a multitude of digital media employment and education opportunities to the community and region by revitalizing a depressed neighborhood, and contributing to the creation of more than 15,000 jobs. His leadership at Cinespace Chicago has been instrumental in infusing billions of dollars of revenue into the city and the state of Illinois. Cinespace Chicago has been the nexus for over 40 major productions, including the films Transformers, Divergent, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice; various productions from Amazon, HBO and Netflix; and TV shows Empire and Shameless, as well as producer Dick Wolf’s “Chicago franchise” Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago PD. A Chicagoland native and the son of Greek immigrants, Alexander S. “Alex” Pissios received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Northern Illinois University. As a student, he dedicated many hours to working with and mentoring a young man with autism. Pissios contemplated following in his father’s footsteps as a special education teacher until another calling came into the picture, real estate. In 2003, he began developing real estate in the neighborhoods surrounding the United Center. After the great recession of 2008, Pissios, just as many other real estate developers, came close to losing everything. It was a twist of fate and the bond of family that ultimately changed the course of not just his life, but of his family’s and many more people. An unyielding vision to improve an impoverished neighborhood and contribute to a better Chicago persisted. Decades earlier, Pissios’ uncle Nick Mirkopoulos had launched a film and television production facility in Toronto. That Canadian campus had been used for notable productions like the major motion picture Chicago, which won the Best Picture Oscar, and The Handmaid’s Tale, which garnered a Golden Globe Best Actress nomination. Pissios’ drive and spark inspired Mirkopoulos, and the two chose to collaborate on a similar production facility in Chicago. They purchased the former Ryerson Steel complex in 2011. Those over 60 acres in the North Lawndale neighborhood became Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, the largest independent movie studio outside of Los Angeles. Cinespace houses 32 sound stages, dozens of production offices and support spaces as well as numerous production tenants that offer equipment, casting services, post-production houses, a 3D animation company, plus camera and lighting rentals and sales. Since its inception, Cinespace has brought in more than 3 billion dollars in film-related spending.

In 2013, Cinespace partnered with DePaul University’s film school by housing two interactive stages, student classrooms, faculty offices, lounges, and equipment vaults as part of the film school’s curriculum. The program ranked 13th best in the nation, prepares aspiring producers and creatives to learn the film and television business from the ground up. Understanding the importance of giving back to the community and remembering where you came from, Pissios and his brothers Dean and Nick created The CineCares Foundation. It was created to honor the memory of Uncle Nick Mirkopoulos with innovative programs that empower Chicago residents through film and TV education and job training. The Mirkopoulos Apprenticeship Program partners with community-based programs to train area youth and young adults for the opportunity to work on productions created on the Cinespace Chicago campus. To continue to move progress forward in the film and media industry, Pissios inaugurated the nonprofit film incubator program Stage 18. The non-profit invites production creatives to develop projects and ultimately influence Illinois’ economy by building a self-sustaining entertainment industry in Chicago. The Cinespace campus is also the second home to California’s Lagunitas Brewing Company, a 300,000 square foot brewery and taproom offering tastings and snacks, a retail store, regular live music, and special event space rental. Pissios lives in Long Grove, Illinois, with his wife Patricia and their four children.

Alex Pissios of Cinespace and Sheila Brown of CineCares Foundation presented a check to Karen Teitelbaum of Sinai Health

System and Debra Wesley of Sinai Community Institute with students from Plamundon School. (Posted by Local , Community

Contributor)

This March, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios President and CEO Alex Pissios

volunteered at Sinai Health System as "Caregiver for a Day" during the

afterschool program with students from Plamundon Elementary School. Mr.

Pissios was the first Sinai board member to take part in a new role that Sinai

Health System has established as part of its 100th-anniversary events,

"Caregiver for a Day."

This initial Caregiver event aimed at raising awareness of the need for

volunteers at the afterschool and other programs at Sinai Health System, as

well as promoting youth mentoring. After helping approximately 20 students,

ages 6-14, finish homework and enjoy snack time, Pissios and the children

who participate in the daily program at Sinai Community Institute, presented

a monetary gift to Sinai's leadership team in recognition of its centennial year.

"It's really an honor to work with the kids who live and learn in this

community. We've made a strong effort to support the health and well-being

of our neighbors near Cinespace Film Studios and its a joy to see that work in

action," stated Pissios. "I'm proud that Cinespace has been able to give back to

Sinai Health System during the past five years and we look forward to making

an even greater impact during the next five years," he added.

Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Enjoys Dog Days of Summer Adoption Event Attracts Actors, Producers and Film Crews in Search of Puppy Love

By Karin Shapiro, Patch Contributor

Aug 19, 2019 2:57 pm ET | Updated Oct 4, 2019 12:00 pm ET

Carla Corwin, Producer on "Chicago Med," Alex Pissios, President and CEO of Cinespace, and Sarah

McDonald of PAWS (Stephen Lotho)

Chicago – August 19, 2019 – Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, a 1.45 million square

foot studio facility on the west side of Chicago, welcomed half a dozen puppies to its

campus this week to help raise awareness for PAWS Chicago and find homes for these

wonderful dogs. The adoption event was organized with the help and support of Carla

Corwin, producer on "Chicago Med," and multiple staff members from Cinespace

Chicago.

Torrey DeVitto, who plays Natalie Manning on "Chicago Med" and also enjoys life with a

pair of rescued dogs, will be the face of a new PAWS Chicago PSA campaign scheduled

to launch this fall. "Chicago Med" cast member Nick Gehlfus, who plays Dr. Will

Halstead, and dozens of additional cast and crew members from "Chicago PD," "Chicago

Fire," "Chicago Med," spent time playing with and getting to know the PAWS visitors. At

least three of the pups in attendance found homes during the successful adoption event!

"When Carla came to talk to me about hosting PAWS on Campus for an adoption event

during the start of our filming season, I thought it was a great idea," said Alex Pissios,

President and CEO of Cinespace. "Everyone loves a great movie that stars a dog! It was

nice to shine a spotlight on these puppies for the day and give the talented actors, crew

members and creative folks that work on our campus an opportunity to find their new

best friend."

PAWS thoroughly evaluates each animal in its medical center in Little Village, and once

medically cleared, they make their way to their adoption centers in Lincoln Park and

Highland Park. As a no-kill shelter, each rescued animal is given medical care and

behavior training to help them become wonderful pets.

In addition to their check-up, PAWS handles spaying, neutering, vaccines, and

microchipping for its dogs and cats, and adoption counseling for the pet's prospective

parents. The shelter also makes a lifetime commitment to every one of its adoptees. On

average, PAWS finds homes for more than 5,600 dogs each year. Once adopted, the

organization gives them a bag of dog food, a certificate for a free wellness check at a VCA

hospital, a collar, and a leash.

`

September 16, 2019 Gail A. Brooks, CMP AFP Chicago 1717 North Naper Blvd., Suite 102 Naperville Il 60563 Re: Letter of Support for Alexander Pissios Nomination for Faces of Philanthropy Awards Dear Ms. Brooks: Please accept our letter of strong support for the nomination of Alexander Pissios for the Executive Leader category of your 2020 Faces of Philanthropy Awards. Alex Pissios has been a great patron and friend of Anixter Center and was the Honoree for our 2018 Fundraiser. Through his executive leadership as CEO of Cinespace, Alex not only generously contributed to Anixter but also solicited both business and civic support for our organization. With his generosity, we raised the largest gala amount in our history. Alex also made numerous introductions to other business leaders allowing Anixter to have exposure to a completely new group of donors and supporters. On a personal note, I have worked with Alex and his Foundation for the past four years in their own philanthropic works. I have seen firsthand the difference they have made in the Lawndale neighborhood, both for the residents who have been the recipients of employment opportunities, as well as the geographic enhancement of the neighborhood. He has brought the DePaul University School of Cinematic Arts to campus, introducing a new generation to the beauty of Lawndale. Alex’s leadership in the Ogden Commons development in North Lawndale is turning vacant land into a mixed-used property to add much needed retail and mixed-used housing. Alex does not just talk the talk; he walks the walk with his actions, embracing those who need a helping hand to reach their potential. He also persuades other institutions and individuals to join his cause. I wholeheartedly recommend Alex Pissios for this honor. Please feel free to contact me for any further information. Sincerely, Mary M. McDonnell