Philanthropists Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest receive Philadelphia Award

Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest still live in the 2,800-square-foot suburban Philadelphia home that they purchased for $35,000 in 1966.

And, as Rebecca W. Rimel, president of Pew Charitable Trusts, told the audience yesterday evening at the Philadelphia Award ceremony, they still don't have air-conditioning.

When Gerry Lenfest, 78, began his acceptance speech for the prestigious honor, he announced: "Next year, we're getting air-conditioning."

The Lenfests have certainly earned it. The cable-TV-entrepreneur-turned-major-league-philanthropist and his wife have donated or committed nearly $800 million.

The Lenfests were honored at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for their generosity and commitment to the museum and to the Curtis Institute of Music, but speakers at the ceremony highlighted the Lenfests' remarkable lives and their contributions to the Philadelphia region.

Gov. Rendell recalled how developer Willard G. Rouse III "was the city's go-to guy" during the 1980s and 1990s, but when he died in 2003, that distinction went to the Lenfests.

"Gerry and Marguerite have been the go-to couple," Rendell said.

The Lenfests were key to establishing the Kimmel Center and the planned move of the Barnes Foundation to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. They have dedicated $93 million to the Art Museum, where Gerry Lenfest is chairman of the board.

Harold FitzGerald "Gerry" Lenfest and Marguerite, 75, were given the Philadelphia Award medal and a $25,000 honorarium. Founded in 1921 by Edward W. Bok, the Philadelphia author and editor, the award recognizes accomplishments during the previous year.

But a remarkable lifetime of achievements is not ignored.

In 2000, Gerry Lenfest sold his cable business - which the couple launched in 1974 and initially ran out of their home - and the family's net worth grew by $1.2 billion.

The Lenfests decided to start a new career giving their money away.

Rimel recalled Gerry Lenfest's saying about his new role as philanthropist: "I'm like a kid in a candy store."

Since 2000, the Lenfests and their foundation have given gifts to 180 groups, ranging from $100,000 to the $93 million for the Art Museum.

Yet they have retained a humble approach to life. When they fly to Florida, they fly coach. And they don't have a maid or a cook.

Mayor Nutter recalled his first meeting with Gerry Lenfest, who had asked to meet with the then-councilman.

The future mayor figured they'd have a meal in some luxurious setting.

Instead, Lenfest suggested Little Pete's, a diner on 17th Street between Walnut and Locust.

Nutter called Lenfest "tremendously unassuming," yet a "fierce advocate" for his causes.

"We're really over-awed by this response," Lenfest said in his speech.

He noted the old saying that it is better to give than receive.

"What we have done has been hand in hand with others," he said, then referred to his wife of more than five decades: "And hand in hand together."