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PHILANTHROPY
PHILANTHROPY > ABOUT US
l   Philanthropic Relationships    l   Governance   l

We   help   service   organizations   develop

self-sustaining long-term  revenue sources

to  fund  their  philanthropic  endeavors


Yucaipa Elementary Playground  2006
 
Who We Are . . . What We Do . . .

                DODGE PAINTING BUILDING at Kansas City Art Institute
American Sterling’s philanthropy philosophy begins with helping service organizations recognize the importance of developing a self-sustaining revenue source outside the typical fundraiser concepts.  We don’t refer to “non-profits” by that term as it gives the illusion of not generating revenue.  We will refer to them as service organizations. In fact, American Sterling believes that service organizations should look, feel and operate even more effectively than “for-profit” organizations.

American Sterling’s philanthropy division’s main objective is to break the conventional operational paradigm in which organization’s survival depends on donations and traditional fundraising methods.  A paradigm that creates a cycle of perpetual financial starvation in which the organization is never able to reach full potential in serving its community or carrying out its mission of service.

Adding to the problem is the fact that most service organizations’ management lacks the financial and business acumen necessary to be successful.  They are generally leaders developed within the service environment and they lack the business experience and the ability to effectively apply rigorous business principles.  American Sterling’s philanthropy division is willing to work with the senior management of organizations to develop viable business plans, which include as a major component, innovative initiatives for generating new sources of long term revenue.

Consulting firms that serve the “non-profit world” are often ineffective, in a large part due to the revolving-door nature of their business. These firms consist mainly of former non-profit executives.  Another flaw in the prevailing consulting business model is the dependence on fee-for-service income. The reality is that many service organizations have been unable to achieve the financial traction required to afford outside help. Thus, the cycle of impoverishment becomes even stronger.  American Sterling’s philanthropy division has taken a new approach to helping organizations without expecting payment up front.  We operate without the belief of payment until we develop a business plan and assist with the implementation of new programs that generate revenue for the organization.  We are truly a “pay for performance” model. If American Sterling’s philanthropy division doesn’t produce, the organization doesn’t pay.

American Sterling’s philanthropy does not accept typical grant requests.  However, if you have a fully developed business plan (not a strategic plan)  you  are  welcome  to  submit the plan for review.        Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman College, California
Please call our philanthropy division at Contact Us


Philanthropic Relationships
The following are organizations with which American Sterling and the Dodge family have developed opportunities and provided philanthropic support over the past few years.  The links provided will take you to their websites.
Dodge College Dodge College of Film & Media Arts at Chapman University, Orange CA
KC Art Institute Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
St. Margaret’s School St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Hope House Hope House, Independence, MO
Boys & Girls Clubs Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Kansas City, MO and San Juan Capistrano, CA
Ocean Institute Ocean Institute, Dana Point, CA
Redlands Unified School District Redlands Unified School District, Redlands, CA
A Heart for Sports A Heart for Sports, Orange County, CA
Rainbow Center Rainbow Center, Blue Springs, MO
Sunshine Center School Sunshine Center School, Independence, MO
University of California University of California, Irvine, Irvine CA
Orange County Performing Arts Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa, CA
Hearst Castle Hearst Castle Preservation Foundation, San Simeon, CA


 

Corporate Governance

Board of Directors
Michael D. Thompson Chairman
Lawrence K. Dodge Founding Chairman/Director
John W. Meara Director

Executive Management
Lawrence K. Dodge Chief Executive Officer
Michael D. Thompson President and COO
Ron Dearden CFO, SVP, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
Janice K. Thrower Corporate Secretary

Backgrounds

Lawrence K. Dodge founded American Sterling in 1977. He is the Founding Chairman, CEO, Director and Majority Stockholder of American Sterling Corporation and its subsidiaries. At 27 years of age he acquired a national insurance group making him the youngest CEO of a national insurance group, a benchmark that still exists to this day.  In 1971, he acquired a controlling interest in a national bank and became the youngest national bank chairman, another benchmark that still survives today.


Michael D. Thompson  was involved with the formation of American Sterling and has worked in various positions throughout American Sterling Corporation. He is Chairman, President and COO of American Sterling Corporation and most of it subsidiaries. He has over thirty years experience in insurance and banking.  Thompson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University.


Ron Dearden  was originally Vice President of Finance for American Sterling Corporation and became Chief Financial Officer in 1985.  He earned a Bachelors degree in Accounting from California State University, Long Beach.

John W. Meara is an outside director on the board of American Sterling Corporation and each of the boards of its subsidiaries.  He is owner and CEO of Meara & Associates a public accounting firm located in Kansas City, Missouri.  The firm specializes in forensic accounting and business valuations.  Mr. Meara is a CPA with extensive public accounting background.


Janice K. Thrower  is the Senior Executive Assistant for the CEO and President of American Sterling.  She was appointed Corporate Secretary in 1998.

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