The Northrop Family Excellence Award for Community Philanthropy began as the Philanthropist of the Year Award in 1999 to recognize and thank an individual or family for exceptional generosity to the local community. It was renamed in 2018 in recognition of the Northrop Family’s tremendous support of the Washington County community during their 116 years of ownership of the Observer-Reporter and Observer Publishing Company (OPC). There are few families in the region who have made such a broad, long-standing impact on local philanthropy as the Northrop Family.
"To be a successful community newspaper, you need to be part of the community.”— Thomas P. Northrop, former President & Publisher of the Observer-Reporter
About the Northrop Family
To the Northrop Family, being a “part of the community” has always meant being involved in charitable giving and service. Over the years, countless charitable organizations and activities have received generous support from the Northrop Family either directly or through the OPC and its employees. The 2000 Turkeys campaign, which helps to provide those in need with Thanksgiving meals was founded by an OPC employee. At the direction of the Northrop Family, the paper has covered the local non-profit community extensively: running news articles on programs, fundraising efforts, and awards, as well as donating advertising space.
The WCCF consistently received extraordinary coverage throughout its decades-long relationship with the Observer-Reporter, as nearly every news release issued to the paper was shared with the community in some way, and special attention was always given to significant announcements.
Without a doubt, the Northrop family’s support has been instrumental in the Foundation’s growth “from acorn to oak.” Not only was the family a driving force behind the creation of the WCCF, but through generous operational support in those early years, the Foundation was set on a path for future success.
For its incredible commitment to corporate giving, the OPC was awarded the WCCF’s Charles C. Keller Excellence Award for Corporate Philanthropy in 2014. Both John Northrop and Tom Northrop have served as Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Additionally, both John and Rose Northrop and the Observer Publishing Company have attained the prestigious “Founder’s Circle” status in the WCCF Family of Founders. The WCCF is also grateful for the generous support from other members of the Northrop family.
Eligibility:
All residents of Washington County.
Criteria:
- Demonstrated exceptional generosity, relative to one’s ability to give, through personal financial gifts to local charitable causes;
- Demonstrated encouragement and motivation of others to financially support local charitable causes;
- Documented efforts to improve the quality of life in Washington County through volunteer leadership of local charitable and other community efforts;
- Documented efforts to advance philanthropy in general.
Nomination Process:
Community members may recommend an individual or family for consideration at any time.
