Carl Haley, founder of Nashville-based Grand Avenue, and his wife Connie were recently named 2012 Philanthropists of the Year for their charitable contributions in Middle Tennessee.

The Haleys received the honor from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Nashville Chapter, at the National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon this past November at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville. Past recipients of the award include the late Steve McNair, Lee Ann and Orrin Ingram, and Patricia and Thomas F. Frist Jr.

“Philanthropy is not only a responsibility for us, it’s a passion,” says Carl Haley. “Our hope is that by financially supporting and publicly advocating for worthy causes, we will advance the good work being done in our community every day.”

The Haleys support an array of organizations, including the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC), the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the Heritage Foundation, the Nashville Symphony, the Tennessee Wildlife Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, and Mercy Ministries. In addition to personal giving, in 2011 Carl established “Grand Gives Back,” a program which gives nonprofits a portion of the proceeds from every trip Grand Avenue books.

“Carl and Connie Haley have supported our most important work—arts education,” says Kathleen O’Brien, president and chief executive officer of TPAC. “They helped us to provide free training and resources to teachers, to place teaching artists in classrooms, and to bring children to TPAC for performances through curriculum-based programs that motivate learning and academic success. Through TPAC Education, and other projects, the Haleys have made a notable difference in individual lives, classrooms, and communities.”

Carl Haley founded Grand Avenue in 2009, which has quickly grown into a major company in Nashville. Grand Avenue features a diverse, including vintage vehicles for special occasions.

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