Campaign Cabinet Widens Safety Net
In 2025, ProKids named a group of 17 as joint winners of our Community Builder Award.
Many of these “Community Builders” have dual roles at ProKids. Some are board members, volunteer attorneys, CASAs, or donors. Tacked on to all that, for three years, they steered and supported our Chance at a Childhood Campaign. They are:
- Ned Babbitt
- Jenn Bastos
- MacKenzie Chavez
- Tom Cuni
- Lauren Fernandez
- Kathy Fish
- JoAnn Hagopian
- Jeb Head
- TD Hughes
- Peter Klekamp
- Brittany Maas-Dabbelt
- Bob McMahon
- Dick Paulsen
- Ben Russert
- Nancy Shepherd
- Chip Turner
- And Kelly Wittich
Tara Noland at Ignite Philanthropy, a partner in the planning of ProKids’ campaign, told us that these kinds of projects often require pulling teeth — but this committee had momentum.
Some came on early and were members of the campaign advisory committee, where the scope of the campaign took shape and we realized it wasn’t just about an office space.
It was there that our pillars came into focus: We’d build our Convening Center for Child Protection, we’d work to serve every kid in the system, and we’d do so sustainably.
The cabinet brought our mission and our message to donors. They took part in meetings where asks were made for campaign gifts – the largest donations sought in ProKids’ history. And like our group of CASAs, which grows so often because of word of mouth — because of the passionate folks who tell their family, friends, and acquaintances that a ProKids child needs them — the campaign cabinet became a champion not just for ProKids children but all kids in the system. They helped us reach the ambitious goal of raising $29 million.
In November of 2025, when we learned that SNAP food assistance would lapse because of the government shutdown, these campaign funds allowed us to immediately distribute thousands of dollars in grocery gift cards.
When things feel uncertain, we want to be there for our kids and their families. And these award winners enabled that.
Thank you to our 2025 Community Builders for being ProKids’ strategic partners and for sharing their passion in an effort to widen the safety net around children.