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Wins Cincinnati Enquirer 2002 Women of the Year Award |
 Cincinnati Enquirer/Steven M. Herppich School student David Stratton, 9, with his homework. |
Cynthia Sheakley Muhlhauser This 'fund-raiser extraordinaire' tackles projects with passion
Cynthia Tuke Sheakley Muhlhauser "tackles each
project with great tenacity and applies leadership
skills so that others may follow," writes longtime
friend Sherie Marek in her letter nominating
Muhlhauser for Enquirer Woman of the Year.
Praised as a "fund-raiser extraordinaire,"
Muhlhauser sits on seven boards representing a
wide range of interests. But her passion is Youth
Opportunities United, an after-school tutoring and
mentoring program. (Her husband of four-and-a-half
years, Rick Muhlhauser, is president of the YOU
board and one of its founders.)
On a recent afternoon at Douglass Elementary
School, she tosses off her jacket, rolls up her
sleeves and is soon bending over homework,
helping third grade girls and boys figure out math
problems.
Cynthia Muhlhauser is a math wizard of a different
kind. She has added tens of thousands - even
hundreds of thousands - of dollars to the bottom
lines of dozens of nonprofits, such as Cincinnati
Ballet, Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati Flower Show,
Historic Southwest Ohio, Cincinnati May Festival
and Dress for Success.
What is the goal of Youth Opportunities United (YOU) program?
The major objective is to help children complete
their homework, and to provide support for the
teachers, especially in math and reading. The kids
then move into small groups with our staff. They'll
go to an art station, or the gym.
They crave attention. For some, the hot meal after school might be the only other meal,
besides their school lunch, that they'll get today.
Many children are from single parent families; some are raised by relatives. Because
they're so young, they still have that zest for life and curiosity. These are just wonderful
little kids.
We are desperately in need of volunteers.
To me, the (Woman of the Year) award is an honor. But it's a great opportunity for me to
highlight something that, for me, is very valuable.
Why do you do it?
I really just want to work with the kids.
What kind of savvy does it take to chair events such as "Swingin' `n Cruisin' at
Coney," where you raised $52,000 for the program?
I'm diligent and I have good organizational skills. I know how to put a party together; I
know how to budget.
It's really like running a small business. That's how I've always looked at it.
I don't take a job on for a charity if I'm not going to be able to do the best job I can do.
Why are galas and auctions an effective way to raise funds?
My theory - and I can prove it - is that we would not have raised $52,000 for YOU if we
had just sent a letter. If you have a party, people will come.
Were you surprised when you saw how many fund raisers you had chaired?
I couldn't believe it when I wrote it down! I started doing volunteer work when I was in
eighth grade, at Camp Stepping Stones. That started it all, with the statement of my
mom's that you need to give of yourself to other people. When I saw the severely
handicapped kids, that started the mentality of, "Maybe I needed to do something more. "
You do a lot of work that isn't really fun - like grant writing.
We really had to do that for YOU. When I heard about it five years ago, we had zero
income. We only received some funding from the city. I thought, why doesn't everybody
know about this? So my mind began working.
Someone wrote that they get e-mails from you at 3 a.m. Is that true?
Probably! I try not to stay up all night, but when I'm working on a project, that's what
happens.
This week, I'm flying to Atlanta (to observe Youth At Risk, a program for troubled teens).
That knocks one day out of my schedule.... I have arranged things so that in case I
don't get back Saturday morning, someone else can drive my car (packed with auction
items) to the Dress for Success auction.
What attracted you to projects dealing with historic buildings, such as your work
for Historic Southwest Ohio and Society for the Preservation of Music Hall?
I've always loved American history; my dad was a big Civil War buff, and I enjoy going to
Williamsburg. I cherish the buildings downtown. ... It may seem like these interests
aren't related, but there's a commonality: Historic Southwest Ohio has zero money and
YOU has zero money.
What's the largest amount you have ever raised?
It was $180,000 for the Cincinnati Zoo. On the small side, we might make $30,000.
It's not that I see dollar signs in my eyes, but I think I know how to make money, and
how to ask for money. It's one thing to do an event, but you need to get as much free
stuff as you can, call in every favor you've asked for in your life. ... - get free printing, free
this and free that.
I have established so many contacts ... (but) if I ask for something from them, I've got to
do something in return. So, paybacks are hell! (Laughs.)
How hard is it for arts organizations to raise money in the post-9-11 economy?
I'm concerned, because money is tight and what's the first thing to go? Music and art.
And it would be tragic, because we have world-class symphony, May Festival, ballet,
opera and Playhouse in the Park that cities our size and larger don't even have.
People don't realize how lucky we are.
What do you do in your real life?
I love my kids to pieces, and that involves many phone calls. I usually have my cell
phone, my regular phone and the computer going at the same time. On weekends, I like
to stay home with my husband.
I love my animals (three dogs; three cats) and I like to run. I run at 9 p.m. at night, if
that's the only time. I've had the Indian Hill Rangers stop me, and say "Lady go home.
It's dark out."
What three words best describe you?
Organized, loyal and fiscally responsible.
What's next on your agenda?
The Youth at Risk program (a five-day camp for 50 troubled teens, with trained
facilitators and up to 100 volunteers). It's going to happen. We've already raised
$177,000 last year. Our goal is $250,000. I would do anything to make this be
successful.
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