Rosecrance Foundation honors John McDonough with new award for philanthropic leadership

The Rosecrance Foundation has awarded the first John J. McDonough Philanthropic Leadership Award to its namesake in honor of the retired Lake Forest industrialist’s long-term efforts on behalf of the organization, a leading national provider of treatment for substance abuse.

McDonough, who had a highly successful career in business and finance encompassing manufacturing, marketing, medical and dental products and telecommunications, chairs the Rosecrance Foundation Chicago Board. He founded and owned several businesses, including GENDEX Corporation, McDonough Medical Products Corporation and National Telecommunication Services.

His contributions to Rosecrance are many. As chair of the Foundation’s Chicago Board, he leads efforts in the city to raise substance abuse treatment funds for Chicago-area teens and adults. A decade ago, he co-chaired the organization’s $5 million capital campaign to build the Rosecrance Griffin Williamson Campus in Rockford. It is the state’s largest residential substance abuse treatment program for teens. McDonough’s philanthropy through the years has enhanced programming for teens and adults alike and has allowed families without funding for treatment services to access lifesaving care. McDonough also is involved in numerous other philanthropic efforts, most notably the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The Rosecrance McDonough Award was announced on June 18, 2014, at the Foundation’s annual meeting, held at the University Club in Chicago. The McDonough Award was established to honor and recognize outstanding philanthropic leadership to the organization.

Two other members of the Foundation’s Chicago Board also were recognized for their leadership to enhance Rosecrance’s charitable efforts.

Susan Smith, former senior vice president and general counsel for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, was recognized for her role in creating “Cooking Up Hope,” a successful Naperville fundraiser now in its fourth year. Although retired and living in North Carolina, Smith continues to serve on the Rosecrance Foundation Chicago Board and assist with the fundraising work.

Also honored was David Beto, chairman of Ford Tool Inc. in Rockford and a longtime member of the Rosecrance Foundation Rockford Board. He was instrumental in helping establish and grow the Chicago Board four years ago and also serves on that board. Through the years, Beto has provided essential leadership to enhance the Foundation’s fundraising efforts to reach all-time high levels of giving.