Annual award presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Detroit Chapter
DETROIT, NOVEMBER 23, 2020 — James (Jim) and Patricia (Patti) Anderson have received the 2020 Max M. Fisher Award for Outstanding Philanthropist, an honor presented annually by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Detroit Chapter (AFP GDC). The award presentation was featured in the Detroit Public Television special Detroit Philanthropy, which aired on National Philanthropy Day, Sunday, November 22, at 6:30 p.m
The Anderson’s are renowned philanthropists in Metro Detroit and throughout Michigan. They were nominated for the Fisher Award by Wayne State University (WSU) and Beaumont Health, two institutions they have supported for years.
In 2014, the Andersons established the James and Patricia Anderson Engineering Ventures Institute at WSU’s College of Engineering, which provides opportunities for students to learn best practices in applied research, technology commercialization, and business creation. In February 2020, they made a donation to Beaumont Hospital Grosse Pointe to support the creation of a hybrid surgical suite and establish the James and Patricia Anderson Advanced Surgical Technology and Training Endowment Fund. The gifts are the largest ever received by the WSU College of Engineering and Beaumont Hospital Grosse Pointe.
The Anderson’s are also passionate about helping veterans and active service members, supporting organizations including the Wounded Warrior Project and Vets Returning Home; additionally, they support and volunteer for several Metro Detroit and Charlevoix-area charities and civic organizations, including The Helm, Hatch Detroit, Detroit Homecoming, the Charlevoix Circle for the Arts, and others.
“The Andersons’ generosity has earned them the reputation of a philanthropic power couple, giving freely of their time and resources, and making long-lasting contributions to Michigan – and beyond,” wrote AFP GDC in a statement.
Jim Anderson is the founder, president, and CEO of Urban Science, a global data analytics and technology firm that uses science to help the automotive industry solve mission-critical challenges. He is an alumnus of Wayne State University, where he later joined the faculty while pursuing a PhD, before founding Urban Science. The Anderson’s live in Grosse Pointe Shores and have a home in Charlevoix.
About the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Detroit Chapter
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Detroit Chapter (AFP GDC) will be valued as the premier resource for fundraisers in Southeast Michigan and as the main driver of philanthropy in our community.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals seeks to foster the professional development and growth of fundraising professionals, to preserve and enhance philanthropy and volunteerism, and to promote the highest ethical standards in the fundraising profession worldwide.
AFP GDC presents prestigious honors to local philanthropy leaders annually, including the Max M. Fisher Award for Outstanding Philanthropist and the George W. Romney Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism. Learn more at npddet.org.
About Urban Science
Founded in 1977, Urban Science is a global retail consulting firm that takes the scientific approach to help companies identify where they should allocate resources in order to increase their market share and profitability in the most effective and efficient manner possible. With headquarters in Detroit, Urban Science serves its global clientele from 21 offices in the United States, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom. For more information on how Urban Science guides business through science, visit urbanscience.com.
