Baker Tilly Foundation
Better together
We believe in the power of working together to make a difference in our profession, the communities where we live and work and causes important to our valued clients and team members.
"Now, for tomorrow" is not merely a tagline - it is our philosophy. We bring our philanthropic efforts together under the Baker Tilly Foundation to help enhance and protect the communities where we live and work and to inspire each other to do good every day. The Baker Tilly Foundation focuses our charitable involvement on three pillars of philanthropy: education, health and wellness and human services.
Education
Our profession is dynamic, innovative and growing. We are committed to helping today’s students become tomorrow’s generation of leaders and business advisors.
Health and wellness
We support organizations that dedicate resources to the treatment of today’s diseases and disorders and seek tomorrow’s prevention strategies and cures.
Human services
We preserve and strengthen the communities where we live and work by supporting organizations that advance human well-being, equity and inclusion, and efforts to end poverty.
Sharing our passion
Honoring veterans: Team members making a difference
Through the Baker Tilly wishes program, the Baker Tilly Foundation empowers team members to make a tangible impact on their communities. Two such individuals, Kimberlie Calderone and Cathleen Kennedy, are dedicated to supporting veterans.
Healing hearts and mending minds
Each year, through Baker Tilly Wishes, the Baker Tilly Foundation provides 15 grants of $10,000 to not-for-profits nominated by our team members. Learn how this program makes a powerful difference for two impactful organizations.
A friendly face for those in need
The Japanese word Kibo means “hope.” It’s also the name of House of Hope’s new therapy dog.
Supportive spaces for individuals with autism
Each year, through Baker Tilly Wishes, the Baker Tilly Foundation provides 15 grants of $10,000 to not-for-profits nominated by our team members. Strategy and Innovation Manager Rainer Nsenki reflects on how the Kansas City Autism Training Center has profoundly affected his family.
The Baker Tilly Foundation helps build bridges through education
Each year, through Baker Tilly Wishes, the Baker Tilly Foundation provides grants of $10,000 to not-for-profits nominated by our team members. Learn why Nuestro Mundo’s mission resonates with Experienced Consulting Manager Nathan Olson.
Baker Tilly team members empowering the next generation
Jessica Dieckmann and Jeremy Stewart are changing lives through powerful not-for-profits. Their nominations earned Rebuild Yourself and the McGlynn Center $10,000 grants from the Baker Tilly Foundation.
Helping survivors of trafficking make a fresh start
Each year through Baker Tilly Wishes, the Baker Tilly Foundation provides grants of $10,000 to not-for-profits nominated by our team members. Learn about a powerful organization fighting to restore hope and freedom to survivors of human trafficking and exploitation.
A mission of hope for families
Each year, the Baker Tilly Foundation provides grants of $10,000 to not-for-profits nominated by our team members. Learn more about two organizations that received grants this year.
Providing resources for Los Angeles youth and finding solutions for those with Lyme disease
Helaine Cohen and Bob Leland are helping make the world a better place. Thanks to their nominations, two not-for-profits received grants of $10,000 from the Baker Tilly Foundation.
Transforming lives at an inclusive summer camp
The Baker Tilly Foundation awarded a $10,000 Baker Tilly Wishes grant to Camp Daniel, which provides safe and fun camping experiences for people with disabilities.
Keeping calm in the courtroom and advocating for change
Team members Shauna Clark and Gina Pitoniak believe in the power of Stewardship. Their nominations earned $10,000 for Pet Prescription Team and the Women’s Resource Center.
Inspiring the next generation of financial professionals
The Baker Tilly Foundation awarded Eagle Investors a $10,000 Baker Tilly Wishes grant. See how this transformative organization is making a difference for students.
Baker Tilly Wishes supports housing in Los Angeles and meal delivery in Pennsylvania
Team members Cathleen Bucholtz and David Black are helping uplift communities. Their nominations earned $10,000 grants for two vital organizations.
Helping children thrive
Team members Chad Parker and Julia Denkmann support vital after-school programs that are closing the achievement gap.
Supporting survivors of domestic abuse and families coping with Alzheimer’s disease
Team members Mitchell Heider and Lori Catapano support causes combatting domestic violence and providing comfort for loved ones diagnosed with dementia.
Dream room makeovers and cooking for a crowd
Learn how team members Alberto Mancusi and Paul Clark are supporting home makeovers for kids with cancer and providing meals for neighbors.
Homes for people and hope for a cure
Baker Tilly Wishes brings the resources of our firm and our people together to tackle big issues. Learn how three team members used $10,000 Wishes grants to inspire hope by building communities and raising awareness for life-threatening medical issues.
How far we’ll go to help
An unconventional approach to boost wellness for veterans. Comprehensive services for people in need. It’s what our team members do, and it’s why they won a $10,000 Baker Tilly Wishes grant.
The power of ‘yes’
Baker Tilly Wishes winners Tim Sutton and Bill Nesbitt became coach and mentor in their communities – and ignited their passion for giving back.
Training the next generation of K9 super sleuths
Baker Tilly Wishes grant supports life-saving search and rescue efforts.
Walk on! How therapy horses changed a child’s life
A Baker Tilly Wishes grant helps team member Nadine Wahhab make a big impact at Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy.
Reading to learn, and learning to rebuild communities
Two team members passionately volunteer for organizations that empower students and families. Two Baker Tilly Wishes grants opens new doors.
A camp that inspires hope
Baker Tilly Wishes supports children's bereavement camp
Animal lover gives back
Baker Tilly's Brittany Kegley is an animal lover. She and her husband have fostered over 300 animals. Brittany is also passionate about supporting people and animals with disabilities. So, when the opportunity came along to combine her passions, she jumped at the chance.
Supporting care is a family affair
Baker Tilly Wishes winner Kathy Cruz discovered her passion for Joy’s House, an Indianapolis-based not-for-profit, through what she calls a “seven degrees of Kevin Bacon story.” Joy’s House provides day care for adults living with dementia and other physical and mental challenges, as well as respite and resources for caregivers.
Doing the books and doing good
Tax Senior Manager Chris Phillips visited the library occasionally when he was young, but it wasn’t until he became involved with the Reading Public Library Foundation that he understood how much impact libraries have on communities. “A library provides so much more to people than just being able to check out books,” said Chris.
Show me the money
Jackson Comeau grew up in a household where money was simply not a topic of conversation. “There was stress around money, but we never actually talked about it,” he said. He didn’t hold a credit card or understand the basics of personal finance until after he graduated from college and described his philosophy until recently as “just spend as little as possible.”
The house that love built
Tax Manager Matthew Heberlein loves helping his Houston community. He and his husband, Alex, are very passionate about volunteering for organizations that are important to them, including Omega House, recipient of a 2021 Baker Tilly Wishes grant.
California dream
Partner Hank Kahrs’ mom ran a nursery school for 40 years. “I grew up surrounded by a sea of kids,” he said. Although Hank’s own sons are grown now, he still loves the energy he gets from working with young people. “As a forensic accountant, I’m kind of a grump,” he jokes, “but when I’m working with kids or playing music, it really gets me going.”
Real life superheroes
Baker Tilly Wishes supports pediatric cancer patients and research.
Gift of giving
Each year we join people from around the world transforming their communities through Giving Tuesday, a worldwide charitable celebration. Giving Tuesday is when Baker Tilly kicks off the Gift of Giving, our annual giving event that bookends a yearlong effort of supporting the communities where we live and work. The Baker Tilly Foundation gives funds to all team members to donate to a not-for-profit organization of their choice.
Last holiday season, we collectively donated more than $110,000 to organizations near and dear to our team members.
Now for Tomorrow Scholarship
We created the Now for Tomorrow Scholarship to make an ever-greater impact on our profession and the young people who are pursuing it.
Aligning with the Baker Tilly Foundation pillar of education, the Now for Tomorrow Scholarship supports students of color seeking to join our profession. A significant scholarship package and development opportunities within our firm will help promising young professionals, who often face barriers and are underrepresented in our profession.
Each year, the Baker Tilly Foundation awards five students with a three-year scholarship totaling up to $30,000. Qualifying attributes of scholarship applicants:
- From historically underrepresented ethnic/racial groups within accounting and consulting (specifically, students of color)
- Pursuing an accounting, finance or computer/data science degree
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Enrolled in campuses strategically selected by Baker Tilly for their diversity of student body and geographic representation
Foundation Executive Officers
- Jennifer Soltis, President
- Charles Droege, Vice President/Chief Operating Officer
- Jean Mathews, Treasurer
- Kathy Gebhard, Secretary
Foundation Staff
- Georgina Giannelli, Executive Director
- Natalie Bell, Administrator
Foundation Board of Directors
- Jennifer Soltis, Partner
- Melissa Donoso, Senior Manager
- Nico Glorieux, Partner
- Scott Goldfarb, Partner
- Nick Goodman, Partner
- John Krause, Partner
- Lynette Stolarzyk, Managing Partner
- Patrick Yu, Partner