On March 7, 2026, Bishop John Noonan presented Tom Chandler with the Mary, Mother of God Award at the closing of Mass at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Winter Park. Madelyn Weed, President & CEO of CFOCF, spoke on behalf of the Board of Directors and the Foundation team, “it is a privilege to recognize Tom Chandler for his extraordinary dedication to the Catholic Church, to The Catholic Foundation, and to our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the Central Florida community. For more than forty years, Tom has generously shared his time, talent, and treasure in service to others. Through his visionary leadership, professional expertise, and deep commitment to the joy of philanthropy, he has helped strengthen support for our parishes, schools, and ministries, as well as organizations that care for families and educational opportunities that allow young people to thrive.”
Tom Chandler has demonstrated passionate dedication to assisting nonprofits in their mission to improve the lives of others since moving to Central Florida in 1983. Over the past 40 years, Tom has lent his visionary leadership, architectural skills and financial support to a number of nonprofits, most notably The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida, Cristo Rey Orlando, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida.
Recently retired as CEO of SchenkelShultz Architecture, a respected Orlando architectural firm with a focus on the market sectors of aviation, education, public safety & community specific design initiatives, Tom was instrumental in the designs of all three Ronald McDonald Houses, Dr. Phillips Charities Headquarters, several Boys & Girls Clubs facilities, the recently completed Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation building in downtown Winter Park and numerous educational, public service and aviation buildings throughout Florida. Under Tom’s leadership, SchenkelShultz has been ranked as one of the top Educational Design Firms in the Southeast, by ENR Southeast magazine.
His first philanthropic endeavor after moving from Ft. Wayne, Indiana to Central Florida was inspired by the incredible support his family members experienced through Ronald McDonald House Charities during a very difficult family time. Tom was moved to ensure families facing the hardship of an ill child receiving treatment in Central Florida could receive that unique and extraordinary support.
Tom was a founding member of the Board of Directors and served as Chairman for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida – his board service spanned more than 25 years. He led the board engagement in supporting the construction of the Ronald McDonald Houses through his example of personally investing first before asking anyone in the community. During his time on the Board, Tom recognized the benefit of cross-sector collaboration and led the successful effort to expand the organization’s partnership with all three major hospitals serving the Central Florida community: Florida Hospital (now AdventHealth), Orlando Health and Nemours Children’s Health. With his encouragement, his partners agreed to provide the architectural services for the Ronald McDonald Houses pro bono. Being able to build not one but three of the houses helped to place our Central Florida community in a leadership role nationally and set a standard for other communities across the country.
Tom’s commitment to advancing philanthropy throughout the community is also evident through his visionary role as The Catholic Foundation’s Board Chairman. Tom’s appointment as Chairman in 2019 was the culmination of years of steadfast commitment and leadership having served as a Foundation Board Member since 2011.
Tom brought his professional acumen at a key moment for The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida, which had only months before his appointment launched a three-year strategic plan with a 10-year vision. He led the successful implementation of that plan which grew assets under management from $54 million to over $100 million in just four years, inspired the Board to provide seed funding for the Central Florida Mercy Fund to support Catholic Charities’ ability to respond to increased food, behavioral health and financial assistance needs of members of the community impacted by the pandemic. He also encouraged the launch of the Central Florida Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) Study Group and the Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle.
The Catholic Foundation’s philanthropic impact is far reaching, offering support to every parish, school and ministries in the Diocese of Orlando. Through its investments, the Foundation to has been able to reinvest $2 million annually supporting clergy, evangelization, education, as well as housing, food, medical and mental-health assistance for Central Florida’s poor and vulnerable populations.
Tom’s life reflects a profound belief that we are all called to care for one another and to use our gifts to serve the greater good. In the words of St. Katharine Drexel, the patron saint of philanthropy – “If we wish to serve God and love our neighbor well, we must manifest our joy in the service we render to Him and them.”
