Julie Ann Wrigley was named the 2007 Outstanding Philanthropist by the Greater Arizona Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals at the group’s November awards dinner. Wrigley was honored for her long-time advocacy and support of health, educational and environmental
non-profit organizations.
Wrigley has contributed significant financial support, leadership and talent to a wide range of non-profits, including Barrow Neurological Institute. She became a passionate supporter of Barrow after undergoing a successful acoustic-neuroma surgery performed by Dr. Robert Spetzler.
When the hospital began plans to construct the new Barrow Neuroscience Tower, Wrigley agreed to co-chair the Pushing Boundaries Capital Campaign, which raised about $30 million for construction of the tower and other campus improvements. Her lead gift of $2.5 million encouraged other friends of Barrow to con- tribute to the campaign. The west wing of the tower is named the Wrigley Pavilion in her honor.
Other organizations that have received Wrigley’s support include the Kidney Foundation, Northwest- ern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Arizona State University, the University of Southern California, Child- help, and the Peregrine Fund. At ASU, she established the International Institute for Sustainability to deal with the global and regional ecological, economic and societal issues involved in creating a truly sustainable quality of life.
In addition to her contribution of leadership and financial support to the Pushing Boundaries Capital Campaign, Wrigley has supported several other projects at Barrow, including a vascular database established by Dr. Peter Nakaji to track the histories and out- comes of patients referred to Barrow for treatment of rare vascular ailments. Most recently, she underwrote the 2008 Barrow Grand Ball, presented by the Barrow Women’s
Board in January.
“Julie’s many gifts have not simply helped Barrow—they have challenged and moved our organization to a higher level of service,” says Mary Jane Crist, CEO of Barrow Neurological Foundation. “We are extremely grateful for her generous contributions to the hospital.” ■
