U-M’s Musical Society President Receives Nonprofit Leadership Award

Community Foundation’s 2012 Mariam C. Noland Award Given to Ken Fischer
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DETROIT – The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan announced that Kenneth C. Fischer, president of the University Musical Society of the University of Michigan, has been awarded the 2012 Mariam C. Noland Award for Nonprofit Leadership.

Named after the Community Foundation’s first and current president, this second annual award recognizes a nonprofit president or CEO in southeast Michigan whose service exemplifies the importance of nonprofit leadership, not only to his or her organization, but also to the wider nonprofit community. 

“We are pleased to have established this award to recognize people in the nonprofit sector in southeast Michigan, like Ken Fischer, who are doing extraordinary things in our region and having an impact far beyond their own organizations,” said Community Foundation Chair Allan D. Gilmour. 

Under Fisher’s leadership, UMS has greatly expanded and diversified its arts presentation and education programs and audiences. UMS has also created relationships with leading corporations, arts organizations, area public and private schools, colleges, and universities, and community organizations.

Fischer has helped bring national and international attention to UMS and southeast Michigan through programs such as three residencies with the Royal Shakespeare Company that drew visitors from 39 states and five countries, and a concert with Leonard Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic during Bernstein’s 70th birthday tour.

Fischer’s exemplary leadership includes service on the boards of many regional, national, and international nonprofit organizations, including the International Society for the Performing Arts, Chamber Music America, the Cultural Alliance for Southeast Michigan, and Ann Arbor SPARK. He is esteemed for his mentorship of young professionals and has served as cultural ambassador to Brazil, China, Lithuania, and Mexico through the U.S. State Department.

As recipient of the Mariam C. Noland Nonprofit Leadership Award, UMS will receive a grant of $10,000 from the Community Foundation with the preference that the funds be used for Fischer to continue his professional education, take a personal sabbatical for career renewal, or engage in philanthropic leadership activities.

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is a permanent community endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations committed to the future of southeast Michigan. It supports a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development, and civic affairs.

For more information, please visit www.cfsem.org.