DALLAS – Mary Templeton has been selected to receive the 29th Catholic Foundation Award in 2011 as she has given so much of her personal time, talent and treasure to benefit the local Catholic community and the broader community as well.  

Mrs. Templeton will be acknowledged at The Catholic Foundation Award Dinner on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011 at the InterContinental Dallas.
“The presentation of the 2011 Catholic Foundation Award allows us to recognize the hard work and commitment of a dedicated individual who applies the gifts God has given her to help others,” said Edwin M. Schaffer, Foundation president and CEO.  “From her financial expertise to her gift at bringing people together, Mary has left her mark at a number of local Catholic schools and community organizations, for which we are truly thankful.”

In addition to Mrs. Templeton’s award, The Catholic Foundation will present an annual scholarship award to a student and bestow a grant to a local organization at the dinner.

“Our family has been greatly influenced by the commitment to the community we’ve seen in our friends and colleagues here in the Dallas community, so I am truly humbled to be honored among such a worthy group of past recipients,” said Mrs. Templeton.  

“Organizations such as The Catholic Foundation are an example of the dedication of many people working together to make a difference.  The Foundation provides an independent conduit whereby individuals can make a significant contribution to the community in an organized and thoughtful manner.  For all Catholics with the passion to give and help, the Foundation can be the mechanism.  It’s a support to givers and those in need.”

Mrs. Templeton and her husband Rich have been staunch supporters of Catholic education.  Their legacy started at St. Marks the Evangelist Catholic School were Mrs. Templeton began her life as a community volunteer as the treasurer for the Parent Teacher Student Association.  At Ursuline Academy, she continued her work helping with auctions, and the family was a major supporter of the new French Family Science, Math and Technology Center. 

At John Paul II High School (JPIIHS), as a parent and board member, Mrs. Templeton has worked tirelessly with many other volunteers to help build the foundation of the JPIIHS community for future generations.  In addition to many volunteer positions within the school, she serves on the board's finance and development committees.  JPIIHS's football field was built in 2005, due in large part to the Templetons’ generosity.    

While overseeing the Templeton family philanthropy, Mrs. Templeton is known to give 110 percent of herself in addition to any financial assistance given.  Mary had a career with General Electric Company (GE), which lasted 14 years until she moved to Dallas.  Gifted in finance, she now shares her talents and passions with several organizations in the Dallas area. 

Mrs. Templeton currently serves as a trustee on the Boards of the University of Dallas where she has been the finance chair and a member of the executive committee; JPIIHS; and the SW Region Boys and Girls Club of America.  She serves as President of a private foundation. She also is a member of the Advisory Council of The Catholic Foundation and an advisor to the Visiting Nurses Association and Catholic Charities.  In all of these roles, Mrs. Templeton provides her finance expertise in budgeting, planning and development. 

The Templetons and their three children reside in Parker, Texas, where they have lived for 16 years. 

Chartered in 1955 by a group of dedicated Catholic laymen, The Catholic Foundation is a donor-focused community foundation that guides benefactors in compassionate charitable giving endeavors, utilizing extensive expertise to carry out the various philanthropic goals of its donors. 

The Foundation’s planned giving programs connects donors directly with organizations they wish to support within the Diocese of Dallas and elsewhere, whether that is a home parish, Catholic school or a community-based charity. 

Thanks to the generosity of donors both past and present, The Foundation has provided approximately $24 million from its Unrestricted Endowment Fund to local organizations through hundreds of grants over the past 54 years, and Donor Advised Funds maintained at the Foundation have accounted for even more grants amounting to millions of dollars.