Cleveland Neighborhood Progress would like to congratulate David Abbott, executive director of the George Gund Foundation, for receiving the In Tribute to the Public Service Award from Cleveland State University.
The In Tribute to the Public Service award was established in 1985 to honor individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership in public life and contribute significantly to the betterment of the community. Over the past 33 years, the program has saluted 38 individuals who have made significant contributions to public service in Greater Cleveland.
David became executive director of The George Gund Foundation in 2003. Through his leadership, program objectives and emphases have been modified to meet the changing opportunities and problems of our society, but the foundation’s basic goal of advancing human welfare remains constant. The Foundation has made grants totaling $722 million since its inception.
The George Gund Foundation was a partner in the founding of Neighborhood Progress and has provided valuable resources to our organization every year since 1988. We are appreciative of David’s ongoing leadership and guidance.
To view his acceptance speech, please click HERE (his comments begin at the 30:51 mark).