Gary Wendt shapes brighter futures with philanthropy that empowers others to achieve success.

He supports college scholarships for students in his hometown of Rio, Wisconsin. He is a longtime supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs, both nationally and locally, and started a nationwide initiative building college placement organizations for Native Americans who attend clubs on Native Lands. In Broward, Gary invests in youth leadership initiatives, education advancement and training to help nonprofits thrive. That includes support for the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Gary Wendt Teen Center in Sunrise, FL which helps young people explore opportunities for higher education, career possibilities, workforce training and more.

In addition to his charitable giving, Gary volunteers his time serving in leadership roles on boards for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Everglades Foundation, the Broward Workshop, and Florida Polytechnic University – where his support launched construction of the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building.

Growing up in a small farming town in Wisconsin, Gary learned the importance of hard work as well as the power of education to lead to new opportunities. He earned an engineering degree at the University of Wisconsin and then an MBA from Harvard. That led to a career in financial management where he became chairman and CEO of GE Capital Corporation. Gary went on to lead the restructuring of what is now CNO Financial Group and later he co-founded Deerpath Capital Management.

Gary never forgot that it was the support of his parents that made it possible for him to go to college and get his start in the business world, so his philanthropy helps others forge their own pathways to success. By partnering with the Community Foundation of Broward, Gary ensures permanent, sustainable support for his charitable passions – in Broward and beyond.

The endowed Wendt Family Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation provides college scholarships for seniors at Gary’s alma mater, Rio High School in Wisconsin. In addition, the Valerie Ahneman and Gary C. Wendt Leadership Fund – named for Gary’s longtime partner, Valerie – transforms lives across our community with support for educational advancement, youth-led community initiatives and leadership development opportunities. Gary has also provided support to strengthen local nonprofits that provide critical community services.

Gary’s generous investments in giving back make him one of our Community Builders – visionaries who partner with the Community Foundation to create endowed charitable funds of $1 million or more. With the Community Foundation to safeguard and manage his endowed funds, Gary’s ability to transform lives in the communities he loves will never end.

“I was able to go to college, thanks to support from my parents, and I think everyone should have that chance. Through scholarships, workforce development opportunities and support for leadership development programs, I hope to help young people reach their full potential.” –  Gary Wendt

More About Our Community Builders

Community Builders are bold leaders who partner with the Community Foundation to establish endowed charitable Funds of $1 million or more to shape a brighter future for the community they love.

Through the power of endowment, the gifts from these individuals, families and local organizations fuel innovation and tackle Broward’s biggest issues today and forever.

Click here to learn more about all of our Community Builders.

To learn more about partnering with the Community Foundation to create bold impact that never ends, contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Kelly Marmol at kmarmol@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.

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