ST. PAUL – Larry and Andrea McGough have been selected as the 2007 recipients of the “Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Legacy of Faith Award" from the Catholic Community Foundation (CCF). 

The award recognizes individuals for their leadership and philanthropic work in support of the spiritual, educational and social needs of the Catholic community.  The McGough’s received the award at a dinner on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at the Town & Country Club in St. Paul.    

Married for more than 50 years, Larry and Andrea’s philanthropy has been an integral part of their life together.  They have been generous supporters of their alma maters, their parish (St. Rose of Lima in Roseville) and numerous religious and civic organizations.  A graduate of the College of St. Catherine, Andrea has been an active volunteer leader and homemaker.  Larry is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas and is the chairman of McGough Construction Companies, where he and his brothers carry on a tradition of quality and craftsmanship – now including the fifth generation of McGough family members.

In her remarks to the more than 180 people attending the award dinner, CCF president Marilou Eldred stated that, “Larry and Andrea have been dear friends of the Catholic Community Foundation since its inception in 1992.  They were instrumental in rallying support and gifts for the Family of Faith Endowment in the early 1990s. This has become the Foundation’s core endowment fund and it is now worth more than $38 million.  Larry was also a founding – and is a current – member of our Board of Directors.”

“Larry and Andrea have not only been at the forefront by giving of their own resources – setting a high standard of faithful stewardship to others,” Eldred continued, “but they have also been wonderful ambassadors on our behalf.  They have told their friends and neighbors about CCF, brought terrific people forward for our Board, and they have encouraged others to use the Foundation for their charitable giving.  We owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.”

The following criteria were used to select the award recipient:

·        Demonstrated leadership in Archdiocesan projects that result in improving the lives of people in need;

·        Demonstrated leadership in a parish or other Catholic organization over a number of years;

·        Financial contributions commensurate with the person’s ability, both at the parish or organizational and Archdiocesan level;

·        Demonstrated support of the mission of the Catholic Community Foundation and its work on behalf of the Archdiocese.

In addition to receiving the award, the Foundation has established an endowment to honor the McGough’s and future recipients.  The award recipient will name the organization(s) to benefit from the earnings from the Archbishop Flynn Legacy of Faith Endowment.   The McGough’s chose for their grant to go to the Archdiocesan FOCUS program – helping struggling inter-city Catholic schools.

“Larry and Andrea are widely admired in this community for their quiet philanthropy, humble spirit and generous hearts,” said Archbishop Harry J. Flynn.  “I am so pleased to present this well-deserved award to two individuals who model the best in philanthropy and Christian charity: Larry and Andrea McGough.”

MORE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Catholic Community Foundation (www.catholiccommunityfoundation.org) is the nation’s largest community foundation serving Catholic philanthropy.  The Foundation was established in 1992 to support financially the spiritual, educational and social needs of the Catholic community in the 12 county area of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.  The Foundation currently manages assets in excess of $190 million and has distributed more than $55 million in grants to the community since inception. 

The Foundation works with donors to help them capitalize on the benefits of charitable planned giving, including the ability to reduce their taxes, receive a life income from their gift and leave a legacy for generations to come.  Some 2,300 families have chosen to conduct their philanthropy with the Catholic Community Foundation by setting up donor advised funds, endowments, charitable gift annuities and trusts.

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