The Legacy of Bill and Sue Friedlander
As Greater Cincinnati Foundation celebrates 60 years of impact, our organization is reminded of the journey our community foundation has traveled and the many people who make this work possible.
The legacy of the late Bill and Sue Friedlander is one of great service, marked by decades of hands-on work with several organizations near and dear to their hearts. The couple were bold philanthropists who understood the power of their time, talent, and dollar. Together, they raised $45 million for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and raised funds for campaigns at United Way, ArtsWave, and more. The Friedlanders also set up several endowed funds through GCF to support the community. Most recently, the Friedlander family has generously committed to supporting GCF’s community leadership work with a Giving Tuesday gift to our Annual Fund.
The Friedlanders’ dedicated service was recognized across the region. Bill was honored as a Great Living Cincinnatian and Sue, a Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year. Bill served as volunteer CEO for Greater Cincinnati Foundation in the ‘90s and Sue was a supporter of Women’s Fund, serving on the Advisory Board. The couple was awarded the Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award in 2009, honoring community-minded citizens who give their time and leadership skills to make Greater Cincinnati a better place for all.
The Friedlanders spent a great deal of time discussing how their legacy would carry on to future generations. In an interview with Create Your Jewish Legacy Cincinnati, Bill Friedlander shared, “I think it’s important to pass on to children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that helping others is a key component of my value system.”
Lynne Friedlander, Bill and Sue’s daughter shared with us, “My parents were ardent supporters of GCF’s work in the community. They understood the complexity of that work and instilled in us, their children and grandchildren, confidence in the organization’s ability to seize every possible opportunity to solve our region’s most challenging issues. That’s why our family continues to give to GCF’s annual fund, where every dollar fuels innovation, thought-leadership, and connections that make a real difference in our community.”
As you think about your own legacy, what kind of impact do you and your family want to make on future generations? Consider starting with a gift to our Annual Fund, powering the work to create a region with endless opportunities.
