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DONOR AND EXECUTIVE RESPONSE |
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An audience awaits the beginning of the concert
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"Through your
two estate concerts on behalf of Portland Opera,
you have impressed our very sophisticated patrons
with your sincere views on philanthropy by clearly
articulating the joys and benefits of supporting
causes close to ones heart. Our patrons have many
opportunities to attend special events, and yet
when invitations to your concerts are received,
they respond with amazing speed and number. In
fact, at the most recent concert, our limited space
filled in record time. In partnering with Portland
Opera, you have helped build stronger ties to our
major donors and you planted the seeds of new
relationships."
- Sharon Benson, Manager of
Individual Giving and Endowment, Portland
Opera
(Click Here
to Read the Letter)
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Audience members enjoy studying portions of the art collection after a private evening concert including Bolswert's 1620 engraving, 'The Raising of Lazarus', acquired from Wilnitsky, Vienna, Austria |
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"It is
difficult to determine which element of your
performance was the most enjoyable... your musical
performance, your eloquent and emotional words, or
the showing of art. All three were inexpressibly
wonderful. You are truly a gifted and talented
individual. What I have read about you and your
performances in the past is true - your performance
is a moving experience that does indeed change
one's life. Your words on philanthropy and the
importance of giving are ones that I will never
forget. From my perspective as a fundraising
professional, I can tell you that your message is
one that all donors need to hear. You were able to
point out what giving is really all about. From the
tears in the eyes and the expressions on the faces
of our donors that evening, I was able to tell that
your message definitely made an impression. The
next morning, our phones were ringing off the hook
with donors calling to say what a wonderful time
they had."
- Carolyn Sentelik, Assistant
Director of Development, Akron General Development
Foundation
(Click
Here to Read the Letter)
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Christian performing during a private evening concert
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"Your
commitment to enriching the lives of others is
commendable. You are truly appreciated for all you
have done. We are fortunate to have individuals who
give so generously of their time and energy. Please
accept my gratitude for making our state, and the
world a better place."
- Charlie Crist, Governor of
Florida
(Click
Here to Read the Letter)
"Thank you for
your generous giving of your talents. What an
outstanding evening of education and entertainment
that far surpassed any modest expectation I might
have had. We strongly believe that because of you
we have truly begun our capital campaign. The true
meaning of 'one person can make a difference' lives
now in all who had the privilege of meeting
you."
- Fred Schultz, Chief Executive
Officer, Positively Kids
(Click
Here to Read the Letter)
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"Without
question you have left an indelible mark on the
hearts and minds of our donors. I received rave
reviews from the four concerts you performed in
homes. Many donors expressed to me that they came
expecting an entertaining, but rather dry, evening.
What they were not expecting, and what pleasantly
surprised them, was how much they laughed and what
a great time they had. They left feeling they were
well thanked for the work they had done. At the
same time, they left inspired to do more. Your
message of philanthropy touched our constituents
profoundly. I can not help but to believe that your
words, art, and music helped to solidify our
relationship with our major donors, and that we
will reap the benefits of your visit for years to
come. You have made a major contribution to the
future developmental health of our school."
- Jay Ferguson, Head Master
Grace Community School
(Click
Here to Read the Letter)
"You are a
profoundly generous man with a profoundly relevant
message. I want to thank you for what was the most
meaningful evening my wife and I have ever
experienced with a nonprofit organization. More
than anything, I thank you for reminding us in such
a powerful way the difference we can make through
our charitable giving."
- Wesley Mission Donor
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Following the concert, a young audience member is fascinated with Fabergé's silver-gilt tea-glass spoon from The Christian Thomas Lee Collection of Fine Art acquired from Sotheby's, London |
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"On behalf of
the people of Montana, I would also like to thank
you for the time and energy you gave to service in
our state. You have undoubtedly made a positive
impact on the lives of many, and your efforts are
to be commended."
- Brian Schweitzer, Governor of
Montana
(Click
Here to Read the Letter)
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Christian greets a young audience member after a concert
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And she expresses her gratitude
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"Your concert
in Little Rock was moving and beyond words and be
assured we consider your gift of music as a genuine
source of inspiration. You really made us think
about enhancing our role in charitable giving."
- Pulaski Academy Donor |
Christian sharing hope and
encouragement as he speaks about the philanthropic lives of the great composers during a concert |
"For years I
have been receiving the mass fundraising letters
from Union Rescue Mission. For years I have always
responded sending $25.00 or $50.00. Your concert at
The Regal Biltmore really put a face on the mission
and vision at Union Rescue Mission for me. I was
very surprised that I was not asked for money
during the evening concert. You sent me home
thinking and I realize that there is so much more
that I could do in my giving to Union Rescue
Mission. Christian, I pledge that I will make Union
Rescue Mission a top priority in my giving from now
on. You really made me feel like a partner in the
effort to solve the problem of homelessness and
your words, 'the problem of hopelessness'."
- Union Rescue Mission Major
Donor
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Christian greets a young audience member
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"In my
fifty-plus years of charitable giving, no nonprofit
organization has ever treated me with such
sincerity and honesty as I was treated last week.
Union Rescue Mission has my support! All of
it!"
- Union Rescue Mission
Donor
"As one who is
known as a significant contributor to various non
profit organizations in the Pittsburgh area, I am
weary of being invited to every special event and
social function held by every non profit in town.
Truth is, these are nothing more than butter-me-up
events in the hopes I will give money. Your evening
concert was unlike anything that I have ever
experienced. It was not just another special event
but rather, I truly felt honored and appreciated.
The most thoughtful part of your evening were your
words. You are choice in your words and your
ability to communicate the true meaning of
philanthropy left me very emotional. I left
grateful that I had attended and determined to
become more focused in my giving. I was told you
are 29 years old. Hard to believe. You related to
the social elite of this old town with such grace
and conviction."
- Braddock Medical Center
Donor |

Christian autographs a CD for a concert guest |
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Christian shows his audience Pablo Picasso's 1954 guache painting Pour Bernard |
"As Governor
of Utah, it is my priviledge to thank you for your
outstanding service to our public school children,
as well as many nonprofit organizations in Utah.
Please accept my personal gratitude for the service
you provide to others."
- Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Governor of
Utah
(Click
Here to Read the Letter)
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"Christian,
your words last night to those of us in attendance
were life altering. I don't think I could possibly
remain the same individual after listening to you.
I now understand my role in sharing the abundance
that I have with those less fortunate. You showed
me how I can make a difference by giving to Wesley
Mission."
- Wesley Mission Donor
"You are
really a remarkable young man and extraordinarily
gifted. What I thought would be an evening concert
turned into a life calling of service to others.
Everyone knew that you are exactly everything you
were challenging us to become through our
charitable giving. I still am amazed that you being
so young you could inspire 80 old people like us.
Thank you for your kindness."
- Edgewood Children's Center
Donor
"I was moved
at your rendition of Amazing Grace. I chuckled as I
realized you had quietly tucked it in among Segovia
and Bach. As I listened to your beautiful strains
of Amazing Grace, I was thoughtful and reminded
that in giving to others, we practice a grace that
is amazing. Thank you Christian, for your gentle
and good heart. I was deeply moved and
inspired."
- David Packard, Hewlett
Packard,
The Lucille Salter Packard Children's
Hospital |
An audience member examines a
corn-husk pipe once belonging to King Edward
VIII, acquired from Christie's, New York, and now part
of The Christian Thomas Lee Collection of Fine
Art |
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Audience members view the art collection after a private concert |
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"I want you to
know that upon our return home after your concert,
I sat down and promptly wrote a check to Mercy for
$50,000.00. Your words will linger in my heart for
the rest of my life."
- Catholic Mercy Ministries
Donor
"I have
measured the results of the private concerts you
did in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. You
left our donors as inspired as I have ever seen
them. You really excel with major donors."
- The Sisters of Mercy
"The
contribution to the future of Pulaski Academy is
immeasurable. We have a new perspective on what
real philanthropy should be. Without a doubt,
parents and friends of the school felt honored and
affirmed through your concert."
- A. McIntosh, Headmaster, Pulaski
Academy |
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"I am pleased
to join in thanking you and honoring you for your
contributions to our nation ... and designation as
a Daily Point of Light for your Art in Schools
program. Thank you for your commitment to education
and your efforts to strengthen arts
education."
- Margaret Spellings, United States
Secretary of Education
(Click
Here to Read the Letter)
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A young audience member examines a
corn-husk pipe once belonging to King Edward
VIII, acquired from Christie's, New York, and now part
of The Christian Thomas Lee Collection of Fine
Art |
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"A very
significant evening for our donors and an even more
significant evening for those guests who are not
participating charitably with us. This is a very
effective approach to major donor acquisition."
- D. Polladian, Chairman Project
Home Campaign, Union Rescue Mission
"The series of
concerts held in private homes afforded a unique
opportunity for our school to focus our major donor
development efforts as we took our mission and
vision into the community. In one week we had
hundreds of new prospects who learned of our school
in the gentle setting of the private home. Already
we have seen over fifty new significant
donors."
- Jarold Hastings-Andrew,
Headmaster
St. Timothy's School
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"In my
opinion, your words and bearing are impeccable -
the terms professional, gracious, articulate,
sincere, convincing, generous and moving come to
mind. Your superlative musical talent, impressive
art collection and powerful philanthropic message
is an unbeatable combination. In fact, it is
magical."
- Portland Opera
"What I
thought was going to be another special event
turned out instead to be a life changing event. In
my years of involvement with nonprofit
organizations, the series of concerts you did were
thrilling evenings of inspiration for all of us. As
a board member, this was the first time I was
enthusiastic about inviting my friends to learn
more about our school. You accomplished more in one
week for us fundraising wise than we have
accomplished in the prior twenty years."
- R. Carlson, Board Member,
Ridgemont High School
"In a day of
tightening budgets and increased competition for
the donor dollar, this is an approach whose time
has come. This has to be the most creative approach
to fundraising I have ever seen."
- Dr. G. Moyes, Chief Executive
Officer, Wesley Mission
"The most
successful fundraising and p.r. campaign that we
have ever undertaken."
- Dr. D. Johnston, Executive
Director, Wesley Institute |
Christian shows a royal document from 1811, signed by King Ferdinand of Spain announcing the birth of royal offspring |
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"Thank you for
your generous gift of music. The evening was an
overwhelming success. I am sure there will be much
major gift support that will come to the hospital
as a result."
- Marlene Carlson, Director of
Development
Lucille Salter Packard Children's Hospital
"The evenings
of lovely music that you provided and the important
message of relationships that you provided will be
critical as we attempt to build the role of the
Heritage Health Foundation and expand our
philanthropic giving."
- Richard Benfer, Chief Executive
Officer, Braddock Medical Center
"The
performance was magnificent and gave me a whole new
vision of how we can express to our donors how much
we appreciate them as we continue to build
friendships with them, as well as expand our base
of friendships."
- Board Member, City Team
Ministries
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A young audience member tells Christian which piece of art he likes best |
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"It was a very
special experience for our group and it certainly
was enormously well received by our guests. Our
expectations were certainly met and exceeded. Thank
you for taking part in our mission with us and for
helping us create even more knowledgeable and
motivated supporters."
- Stuart C. Turgel, Senior Vice
President, Lucille Salter Packard Children's
Hospital
Without
question Christian has an incredible impact upon
our constituency. He communicated the true meaning
of philanthropy with a message that was incredibly
genuine and touched the hearts of all those who
were present."
- G.L., J.D., Director of
Development
Pulaski Academy
"Your time in
Little Rock had such a profound effect on all of
us. The Pulaski Academy community was certainly
touched by your beautiful music and message. What a
wonderful way to bring people together and make
them feel that they are a special part of the
school."
- Pulaski Academy Board
Member |
Christian shows Boetius Bolswort's 1620 'The Raising of Lazarus' acquired from Wilnitsky Fine Art in Vienna for The Christian Thomas Lee Collection of Fine Art |
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"This was
probably the most important evening in our school
history with respect to fundraising and donor
relationships."
- Board Member, Miami Christian
School
"You are a
master communicator. I learned more about
fundraising by watching you in one evening concert
than I have learned in the last ten years. Your
ability to know where people are and to bring them
to a place of giving is remarkable. You truly
reflect your own heart and life to people."
- David Hepburn, President,
Ridgemont School |
An audience member takes a close
look at an oil painting on display
at the conclusion of a private concert with
Christian Thomas Lee
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Audience members view the art at the conclusion of a concert |
"This was the
most gentle, kind, sincere, honest evening any
person could have experienced. I think tonight some
very significant relationships were built with
people outside of our school. There were so many
here tonight who would have never met Miami
Christian except for your gift of this evening's
concert."
- Former Miami Christian School
Board Member |
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