The Best of Both Worlds

Behind every worthwhile endeavor lies a story. SCF’s dates back to 1997, when Oppenheimer was acquired by CIBC and subsequently became an annual participant in what’s now known as CIBC World Markets Miracle Day, one of the most successful and innovative fundraising endeavors in the country. For many in the Summa Group, a division of Oppenheimer, Miracle Day was an eye-opening introduction to the power of charitable giving, one that set the tone for what eight year later would become the Summa Children’s Foundation.

Out in front of every worthwhile endeavor lies a vision. SCF’s speaks to the role we feel we can play—and therefore, the responsibility we feel we have—to bring about positive change in the communities near and dear to our hearts and homes.

The Summa Children’s Foundation is an entrepreneurial organization with an old soul. We are propelled by the joy of giving back and guided by due diligence that maximizes the impact of our giving.

Grassroots in many respects, we rely on an unpaid staff and support team to raise the funds that make dreams come true. At the same time, we are continually refining the process by which we identify deserving charities and award grants of the funds we have raised. Our focus favors quality and substance over size and visibility, yet we still think big, especially when it comes to enlisting the aid of countless friends, family members, clients and business associates who believe in what we are doing and in the impact we can have together.

In these pages, you will read about SCF’s next big fundraising event, A Night of Inspiration, set for Wednesday, April 23, 2008. We are pleased and proud that Pete Carroll, USC head football coach and co-founder of A Better LA, has agreed to be ourhonoree—for more about his commitment to community, see our cover story. This year’s gala, as was the case with its inaugural predecessor, will be underwritten by the Summa Group and Oppenheimer & Co., which means that all dollars raised drop right to the bottom line.

It is our hope that A Night of Inspiration will inspire those who attend to give beyond what takes place that evening. Each of us can be a philanthropist. “I am only one, but still I am one,” said 19th century American author Edward Everett Hale. “I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”

The Summa Children’s Foundation seeks to be a trusted steward of capital and planned giving to worthwhile causes that positively impact the lives of young people. We seek also to maintain a personal touch, including within our scope charities that may not be high profile, but whose work warrants support.

Because there are so many something’s that need doing.