The Association of Fundraising Professionals Mahoning-Shenango Chapter will recognize Crowe’s Cabinets as Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist during its annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon Nov. 4.
POLAND, Ohio – Tim Crowe, president of Crowe’s Cabinets in Poland, shares the philosophy his father taught him as he reflects on his company’s approach to philanthropy: To those whom much has been given, much is required.
“We’ve been given a lot in this area, and we are happy to be able to give back,” he says.
Crowe’s Cabinets started in 1978 on the front porch of the Tim Crowe’s father, Paul.
Now based at 590 E. Western Reserve Road in Poland, the company manufactures and sells both commercial and residential casework such as cabinets, countertops and reception desks.
“Our tag line is, ‘If you can dream it, we can build it. We build all kinds of things that most people would not think,” Crowe says.
Liz McGarry, director of development at Hospice of the Valley, nominated Crowe’s Cabinets for recognition by the Mahoning-Shenango AFP chapter. She has known the Crowe family for several years, starting with Paul.
“These parents made sure that these kids knew about giving back. They’ve been giving back and helping and supporting from the time they were young children,” McGarry says.
Back when Hospice of the Valley was building its Hospice House, Crowe’s Cabinets was the cabinet maker for the project and performed more work than they were required to do under the contract, McGarry says.
Hospice also enlisted the company years later, when it was having work done on its Salem office. At the time, nurses were shifting from spending all day doing paperwork at desks and doing more on their computers and laptops.
“We came up with the idea of using work stations. So we had the whole central area reworked,” she says. “Crowe’s cabinets came in and did [the work] and they were awesome.”
When the time came to pay the bill, the Crowes donated the work and materials.
On top of in-kind contributions, Crowe’s Cabinets has donated tens of thousands of dollars in sponsorship for Hospice events such as its golf outing, Mardi Gras and Bowties and Bourbon.
“Whenever we have an event, they show up,” McGarry says. “They are true time, talent and treasure people. They give their time, they give their talent plus they put their money where their mouth is.”
Crowe’s Cabinets was happy to do the work for Hospice, Crowe says.
Other organizations to which the company has donated work or money include Ursuline High School, Northeast Ohio Adoption Services and Rotary Club of Poland.
A third generation Rotarian, Crowe recently completed a term as club president.
Crowe says he hopes the recognition by the Association of Fundraising Professionals will inspire other small businesses to follow the philanthropic example of a business they “know and trust” and say, “I can do that, too.”
Pictured at top: Tim Crowe learned the value of philanthropy as a boy. His father, Paul, founded Crowe’s Cabinets.