Sioux Douglas received the Philanthropist of the Year award during the Juneau Community Foundation’s annual Philanthropy recognition event on Nov. 9, the foundation announced. The event, held this year via Zoom, honors outstanding locals who demonstrate their commitment to community through their generosity and leadership.
For more than 40 years, Douglas has generously given her time, talent, and funds toward building a better community, according to the foundation. She has advocated for seniors, those who experience disabilities, end of life care, advancing public media, and living one’s best life. Many people have benefited over the years from her expertise, commitment, and grace. And for someone who is “retired”, she is one of the busiest and most productive volunteers we know.
Douglas is chair of the KTOO Legacy Foundation, a donor adviser to the Douglas-Dornan Foundation Fund and the Senior Services Fund, and Campaign Committee chair for the Teal Street Center, a social services hub that will open in 2022 next to the new Glory Hall. In addition, for the past decade she has been a steadfast leader in the effort to bring senior housing and care to Juneau’s elders, and construction is now underway for Riverview Senior Living.
“I feel extra humbled and honored to receive this recognition from the Juneau Community Foundation, an organization I’ve been passionate about since its beginning,” Douglas said in a news release. “I’ve been asked why I keep doing this, now that I’m close to ancient, and I can’t completely answer that, except to say it’s just a part of me and my daily life. It’s a pleasure to do what I can to help keep the community that I love healthy and sustainable by being involved in causes I care deeply about.”
More than 100 of Douglas’ friends, family, and community leaders helped celebrate her good deeds, her humanity, and her growing legacy. The event included stories about Douglas shared by Mandy Mallott, Bill Legere, Joan O’Keefe, Jeff Brady, Beth Chapman and Carrie Pusich, to name a few.
When asked what she wanted to raise funds for in conjunction with the event, Douglas chose the Senior Citizens Support Fund and the Douglas-Dornan Fund. She chose these funds because of the support they provide for both our elders and youth, according to Juneau Community Foundation.
To further honor Douglas, a $40,000 match to support these two Funds was announced. Gifts in her honor will be matched dollar for dollar up to $40,000. Donations are still being accepted. They can be made a check in the mail to the foundation or online at www.juneaucf.org.
